Elementary Rudiments of Music and Elementary Rudiments of Music (Answer Book), Revised editions.

* Elementary Rudiments of Music and Elementary Rudiments of Music (Answer Book), Revised editions, by Barbara Wharram and Kathleen Wood. Frederick Harris Music (Unit 1, 5865 McLaughlin Rd., Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, L5R 1B 8), 2005. 302 pp., $23.95. Answer book, 184 pp., $15.75.

Elementary Rudiments of Music was intended to be used in conjunction with the Theory Syllabus of the Royal Conservatory of Music of Toronto in preparation for examinations. In effect, it is a well-organized and detailed resource directory of the basic music elements found from the common practice period onward.

Each chapter emphasizes one particular aspect: notation, major and minor scales, other scales and modes, chords, time and so forth. Of particular interest are the chapters on transposition and score types. At the end there is a comprehensive dictionary of terms and forms.

Within each chapter are extensive exercises utilizing the information introduced in the chapter. Writing drills are included for alto and tenor, as well as treble and bass clefs. The text is not intended to be used in order from beginning to end, but serves as a reference to whatever portion is needed in correlation with music scores being studied.

Information is clearly presented with good examples in chart format. There are ample exercises that review the included information at the end of each chapter from that section. The chapter on chords includes exercises with the dominant seventh only. Other seventh chords are described, but there are no drills for building these. Altered chords (Neapolitan sixth, augmented sixths) are not introduced.

The Answer Book is just that. Every exercise within the main text is answered clearly. All answers are well coordinated with chapter and page references to the main text.

Elementary Rudiments of Music can be a valuable reference for students and teachers alike. In addition, teachers would find this text most useful to prepare for national certification. Reviewed by Frances Larimer, NCTM, Evanston, Illinois.

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