An online textbook on the basic concepts and terms of serial composition and set theory. This online textbook includes music examples, charts and exercises. The chapter topics are: Gathering Sets: Basic axioms: Pitch Class, Intervals and interval classes, Analysis and segmentation, Pitch-class sets and normal form, Pitch-class set classes and prime form, Set classes and interval-class content, Sizes of sets, Set-class tables; Forte's set-class names, Quick review: levels of abstraction and Interpreting Sets: The uses of pc-set analysis, Invariance relations and set symmetry, Inclusion relations: subsets and supersets, Z-relations, Complement relations, Similarity relations, complexes, and genera, Referential pcs, centricity, and tonality, Ordered sets, serial music.
Type of Material:
Online textbook.
Recommended Uses:
This online textbook could be used as a text for an introductory course in serial composition and/or set theory. It could also be used to supplement a higher level course as a reference. A secondary use of this textbook might be as a reference for a music theory or a 20th century music history course.
Technical Requirements:
The use of an internet browser.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
The primary learning goals for this online textbook is to introduce students to the basic concepts and terms used in creating and analyzing serial compositions.
Target Student Population:
The target student for this site would be upper level music theory and composition students or graduate students.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
A solid music theory foundation and an overview or introduction to serial composition and set theory would help students understand the context of content of this text.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
The content of this online textbook is accurate and presented using clear and easy to understand language. The organization of the topics leads from one concept to another in a way that builds an understanding of this approach to music composition. In most pages concepts are explained by applying them to real musical examples. A list of the key concepts discussed in each page is detailed at the end of most pages.
Concerns:
None although sound examples would add to its content quality and musical examples in the last pages would be really useful.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
The strength of the potential effectiveness of this online textbook is in the clear and easy to understand explanations of the fundamental concepts of serial composition and set theory. These topics are typically complex and hard to introduce to students approaching the subject for the first time. Alnother strength is the inclusion of examples and practice assignments to reinforce students grasp of the topics presented in the text.
Concerns:
More musical examples would certainly improve its effectiveness (specially in the last sections) as well as more exercises. Also, one or more analysis of complete works would be very useful.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
This online textbook is easy to use. The topics are intelligently organized and easy to navigate.
Concerns:
No concerns.
Other Issues and Comments:
No other issues.
Creative Commons:
Search by ISBN?
It looks like you have entered an ISBN number. Would you like to search using what you have
entered as an ISBN number?
Searching for Members?
You entered an email address. Would you like to search for members? Click Yes to continue. If no, materials will be displayed first. You can refine your search with the options on the left of the results page.
Searching for Members?
You entered an email address. Would you like to search for members? Click Yes to continue. If no, materials will be displayed first. You can refine your search with the options on the left of the results page.
