"...an exciting new approach to teaching and learning music. One experiences
a musical concept which is then supported by listening examples, and lastly
by uncharacteristically logical explanations. Eskelin's approach has the capacity
to revolutionize the way music fundamentals are taught. It is a book that has
been long needed."
Jerry D. Luedders-Music Chair, California State University, Northridge
"Enlightening, provocative, analytical and thorough, yet practical and
honest. A unique and necessary book for the "sound" learning of music
fundamentals. Dr. Eskelin provides a scholarly basis for perceptual understanding
through exquisite aural examples, visual aids, and descriptive text; followed
by a natural approach to notation learning. A must for music educators."
Dr. Patrice D. Madura-Assistant, Professor of Music Education, University
of Southern California
Dear Gerald,
A little about me: I have a BM in Composition and Theory from Jacksonville University
and a MACM from Friends University. I also did a few years of post grad study
in music at USF and Berklee School of Music. I spent most of my life (49 yrs)
studying music, piano, and lots of jazz, but I really love all kinds of music.
Currently, I am in a large church in Wichita as the Fine Arts Pastor (which
means I get to write for and direct lots of musicians and singers on a weekly
basis who are passionate about the Lord and love to sing and play instruments)
and I get paid for it! I have a wife and 3 children. I am blessed.
Always on the look out for new theory books, a little while back I was in Barnes
and Noble and stumbled on your book "Lies ..." and really resonated
with your perspective. I should have bought it then but when I went back to
get it a few days later it was sold. The bad part was I couldn't remember the
exact title or the author (sorry). I knew it had something to do with "false
information that was intentionally disseminated by incompetent educators".
After using google searches and the internet and using every conceivable word
order and synonym, I finally found you!
I ordered "Lies..." and "The Sounds..." and just got "The
Sounds..." in the mail. I put on the CD and skimmed and listened through
the whole book in one sitting, reading as fast as I could and only pausing the
CD briefly to catch up inbetween. Wow! What a joy to find a book that so thoroughly
explains music theory from a fresh viewpoint and in such an organized fashion.
I can't wait to reread it now (slowly) and take it all in. I'll definitely put
it on the top of my reading recommendations for my friends.
I especially appreciate doing away with the myth that Equal temperament is OK
and addressing the attitude that pure ratios don't matter because the differences
are imperceptible. Balderdash! The nerve of the Harvard Dictionary of Music!
The true sound of the
third and flat seventh is so beautiful not to mention all of the other intervals.
I also appreciated the use and clarification of such new (to me) terminology
as "digitals" and "pitch recognition". Not to sound too
weird about it but, I just love this book!!
I would have liked to have seen a bibliography at the back or "recommended
for further reading." I'm still working through the concept that all pitches
should be executed as perfect, simple ratios, especially when it comes to linear
writing and scalewise
symmetry. I can switch my brain between vertical and horizontal thinking when
writing or improvising and have always thought there was room for both worlds.
I admit there is nothing like simple, pure ratios in harmonic based compositions
but is 2 to the 1/12
power really that bad when playing a chromatic or other symmetrical shape? (Do
I sound like a temperamental, with a temper, mental, equaltempered pianist?!?!)
Like I said, I plan to reread and study this and am looking forward to expanding
my thinking in this area.
I'm looking forward to "Components of Vocal Blend" and I'll probably
order other products eventually. I wanted to thank you and congratulate you
an a job well done and I can't wait to finally get "Lies..." in my
hands. It should be here soon. Way to go!
Peter Abood
Worship and Fine Arts Pastor
Central Christian Church
Wichita, Kansas
The cover of Gerald Eskelin's book "Lies My Music Teacher
Told Me" asks, "Have you ever noticed a disparity between what you
were told about music and your practical experience with it?" Eskelin firmly
sets forth to debunk accepted beliefs that often cause confusion, and his informal,
conversational style works well. He is clearly driven by respectful curiosity
and a need to understand. The lies could be called misconceptions, but that
wouldn't reflect the book's spirit of edgy adventure.
One such misconception concerns minor scales, specifically melodic minor scales,
and why you're instructed in formal theory to play them differently ascending
and descending. Eskelin's Lie #9 is, "There are three minor scales—natural,
melodic, and harmonic." His corresponding truth is, "Chromatic adjustments
can be made in the minor mode, according to harmonic context, to accommodate
the step and a half between scale steps b6 and 7." In real life, melodies
don't adjust themselves according to whether they are ascending or descending.
They fit the chord context of the moment. The informative book is a lot of fun
to read, and it makes you rethink your understanding of music basics.
The enthusiastic reception given to Eskelin's first book convinced him of the
need for "The Sounds of Music: Perception and Notation," in which
he offers sweeping instruction on the nature of music, covering an incredible
number of topics in 339 oversize pages. Eskelin firmly believes in the majorminor
system as an exciting and natural musical construct, but he places it in the
context of other systems. The book opens with a survey of dominant world styles,
and the accompanying CD is jammed with examples keyed to the text so you can
hear what he's talking about as you go.
Careful repeated study of these books will leave you with a firm and detailed
understanding of the framework and structure of music. The time you invest,
especially in conjunction with a good teacher, will add depth to your musicianship
and satisfaction to your guitar playing.
GaryJoyner, Acoustic Guitar Magazine