Introduction to Music

Children's Literature

This Usborne miniature edition is based on the premise that you don't need to know much about a piece of music to enjoy it. However, anyone should be able to increase appreciation with an understanding of why it was written and how it achieves the desired effect. To assist, this book explores a variety of musical styles such as classical, jazz, pop and blues. What makes music? The answer is condensed in an introduction to beat, rhythm, melody, structure, harmony, tone quality and expression. With interactive use of the Internet through links provided at Usborne's Quicklinks Web site, students listen to famous bands and performers, compose or download music and learn how to conduct. Music education extends to photographs of performers past and present, suggestions for music to listen to, information on the music industry as a whole and a discussion of how instruments work. Complete with a glossary of terms, this is a great book for home-schooled children and for anyone interested in a clear, concise overview of music. 2002, EDC Publishing, Ages 8 to 12.
— Francine Thomas