ESSENTIALS OF
MUSIC THEORY
ELEMENTARY

BY

CARL E. GARDNER

AUTHOR OF "MUSIC COMPOSITION"

NEW YORK

CARL FISCHER

1912

COPYRIGHT, 1912,

BY

CARL FISCHER

International Copyright Secured

PREFACE.

THE primary object in the following pages is to supplythe teacher and student with a text book to accompanythe work on instrumental or vocal technic. Becauseof the great amount of time required to obtain proficienttechnic, text books are often neglected, and, if exhaustive,are usually ignored. Brevity and conciseness characterizethis volume and it is planned to meet the needs of the busyteacher and student.

Many pupils may not see the importance of some of thefollowing text, such as the research for theoretical keys; butthe results thus obtained are nothing more than the naturaloutcome of simple mathematical reasoning, and are inevitableif the structure of the scales is understood. Pupilsshould be impressed with the structure of scales rather thanbe taught their keys and signatures by rote. Rote methodshave little to recommend them in modern pedagogical ideals,and are used principally in teaching the young. The lackof knowledge of the whys and wherefores of scales, intervals,and chords among instrumentalists and singers is appalling,and is due partly to the neglect of text books and partly toincompetent teachers.

A further object of the text is to offer a course of preparationfor the study of harmony, composition, and appreciation.Music Appreciation, as a cultural course of study, is growingin popularity and large enthusiastic classes in this subjectare to be found in all our colleges. These studentsare frequently handicapped by poor preparation in theessential rudiments of music such as are treated in thisvolume.

The author's gratitude for valuable aid, criticisms, andsuggestions is due his wife, Marion Dillon Gardner, and hissisters, Mabel Gardner Bankart and Lena Gardner Lewis.

CONTENTS.