What People Have To Say About Getting Music…

“I got it and now ‘I get it’. Helped me to put all the pieces together and significantly improved my overall understanding of music.”

– Bender, Oakton, Virginia
“This book brings a fresh perspective to theory basics, primarily for adults and high school students studying contemporary music styles, but it is also applicable for the traditional adult music student.

Photo © 2015 Vincent Giannini.

…very readable with large clear illustrations of the concept being presented.
…You feel like you are having a conversation with the authors. They anticipate all the questions the inquisitive beginning adult music student might have.
…has a unique feature called ‘Music Speak,’ which defines various terms and words used in the music language, especially popular music.
…Getting Music is a very comprehensive text. It explains the concept, shows how it is used and explains why.
…For the serious student…it is indispensable!
…The explanation of chords is a very valuable part of the book.
…an important reference material for the teacher.”

– Phyllis Pieffer, NCTM, Reviewer, American Music Teacher, official journal of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), October 2014. Full review at the freelibrary.com.
“Most students that have garage bands or make music have no interest in listening to the drab dull talk of music theory. This tool will allow students to become more engaged and appreciative of the art of music.”

– Mr. Tim White, music instructor, Hammonton High School, New Jersey
Photo © 2013 Dennis Wells Benjamin.

“Getting Music by Vincent Giannini and Dennis Wells Benjamin is an excellent introduction to the mysteries of music theory for the ‘popular’ musician. The authors clearly explain the basic concepts of pop tonal theory, including, intervals, scales and chords as well as many useful aspects of music notation for the rock, jazz, R&B, hip hop and country performer. Written in an informal yet comprehensive manner, the book is packed with a great deal of necessary information as well as many explanations as to the ‘why’ and not just the ‘what’. Stylistic differences of various music genres are taken into consideration as are many practical performance requirements, especially in the area of notation/music reading. I recommend this book to the budding pop performer—to be used either with (always preferred) or without a teacher.”

–Thomas A. Korth, Professor Emeritus, Department of Music, Howard University, Washington, DC
“A must have!!! Clear, concise, extremely useful teaching and reference source for all. Should be a staple for all learning music.”

– Theodore Perih, Virginia
Libel, the band.

Photo © 2014 Dean Keim.

“I have seen many an eye roll at the term music theory, but for a rock⁄pop musician, having that in your background can open up all kinds of songwriting doors and encourage experimentation.

This book is a great resource for musicians who never took a college class or had their kiddie fingers smacked on the piano. And hey, it’s a smooth read as well!”

– Gavin Dunaway, Brooklyn, New York
Photo © 2013 Michela Buttignol.

“Great primer for musicians searching for music theory explanations. I'm an intermediate guitar player of 40 years who has a basic grasp of music theory that wanted to 'fill in the blanks' as to why things happen the way they do in music as well as a refresher course. This well organized book took me from the most fundamental descriptions to the complex in an easy to read, well explained and clearly illustrated tome.

The 'Music Speak' side bars were of particular interest revealing to the reader the common language of the musician in a professional/rehearsal setting. I liked the building and use of chords and the modes sections. I would have welcomed this book as an adjunct to my early music education. Well Done!”

– Michael Cross, Las Vegas, Nevada
“We will use this book to supplement what we already do in the classroom and offer students a new fresh approach and add in different viewpoints.”

– Mr. Matthew Engle, music teacher, Hammonton Middle School, New Jersey
“I am not a musician, though I love tinkering with instruments, listening to performers, and wondering how it all works. I saw your book today, at a music shop, while waiting for one of my children’s lesson, kept saying to myself, “Ah, I get that now…,” so I HAD to get the book. I hope that I can get my children to enjoy going through it cover‐to‐cover and then back to it for reference/reinforcement.”

– Fritz A., Virginia
“Provides a basic understanding of popular music styles and will help musicians express themselves in these various styles of music.”

– Frank G Jamison
Photo © 2015 Vincent Giannini.

“Excellent book. I highly recommend Getting Music to anyone interested in learning the fundamentals of music…

Getting Music is well‐organized and written in a readable, conversational style that makes it very approachable, even for someone with little or no prior musical background. The book emphasizes popular music…so virtually everyone can relate to it. The authors start with the very basics of rhythm, melody, and harmony and progress through scales, intervals, chords, and keys in a logical, methodical way. Along the way they cover musical notation…an excellent treatment for newcomers…

Getting Music is rich enough that you can approach it on several levels, depending on your interests. For aspiring musicians with a serious interest, the authors provide in‐depth discussions of intervals, chords, and harmonies as they are commonly used in popular music…Readers with a more casual interest…may not need to study all the examples…the book is rewarding when approached at either level.”

– Steven Futato
“I can’t play an instrument, but I have been a lifelong music fan. I read Getting Music and found the clean, clear perspectives offered in its pages to be fascinating reading. That weekend, I poured a glass (or two) of scotch and listened to some of my favorite recordings (a lot of Stan Getz and Antonio Carlos Jobim, with a Sinatra chaser)—I have to say, the songs started to make sense to me in a whole different way…”

– Brian O., New Jersey
Photo © 2010 Emily Best.

“Excellent. THE book for the curious and intelligent person with an interest in music. This is not a watered down music theory book, nor a simplistic child’s book. It seeks, and finds, a middle ground by covering the spectrum of concepts common to popular music without beginning in the 17th century and working forward. An interested listener of music of any of the contemporary popular forms will quickly find explanations that will illuminate why songs and pieces of music sound as they do. The authors do a good job of presenting the basics, especially rhythm and melody. Their explanation of how and why harmony works is worth the price of the book. For those of us who got a light touch of music instruction as children, it provides a refresher course on the language of music, how to read music, and the language musicians use to communicate their techniques. For the parent or grandparent of an intelligent child, this is a cogent introduction that can be the basis for a lifetime of understanding. It would make a terrific text for a music appreciation course as well. Well indexed and written with precision and depth, this is a book that is at once a quick reference and a starting place for a growing interest.”

– ED, Colorado