Publisher Description

Music in Words is a compact guide to researching and writing about music, addressing all the issues that anyone who writes about music--from students to professional musicians and critics--may confront when putting together anything from brief program notes to a lengthy thesis. The book is a writing guide and a reference manual in one: the first part, a "how to" section, offers a clear explanation of the purpose of music research and how it is to be done, including basic introductions to the most necessary tools for musical inquiry (with special emphasis on strategic use of the internet), and how they can be accessed and used. The second part is a compendium of information on style and sources for quick reference, including a straightforward presentation of the purpose and use of citation and reference systems as they are applied to and in music. As a whole, the volume gives readers a clear picture of how to write about music at different levels and for different purposes in a handy, thoroughly cross-referenced format. This American edition has been thoroughly revised and expanded, and features an extensive section on writing for the Internet and new sections on writing for jazz, popular music, world musics, and ethnography. Additionally, a companion website presents a broad range of writing samples and links to key resources.

Author Biography

Trevor Herbert is Professor of Music at the Open University of the UK. Before entering academic life he played trombone with London's principal orchestras and period instrument groups. He has published widely in academic books, journals, reference works and more popular media. He has broadcast extensively on BBC radio and television.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements A note about academic writing conventions Introduction Part I 1. How to write: some basics for shorter writing tasks 2. Doing research: a basic method for longer projects 3. Using libraries and the Internet 4. Scholarly documentation: citing sources 5. Using illustrations: notated music, pictures, tables, and other visual representations Part II 6. Language and numbers 7. Some musical terms and phrases 8. Sources and research tools 9. Citations I: The printed word and its electronic equivalents 10. Citations II: Musical sources 11. Citations III: Other sources Glossary; Index

Review

"[An] excellent resource...I cannot recommend this volume highly enough...One of the most valuable books available in today's commercial market." --John Woodford, musicteachers.co.uk"A commendably thorough survey...Clearly expressed and logically ordered, Herbert's concise guide offers helpful, common-sense advice...Will serve as an invaluable reference tool." --The Strad"Well-written and easy to read... I can commend this volume to anyone considering undertaking further professional development in music...An accessible and thorough source of guidance...A useful reference tool."--Ensemble"For the student and aspiring scholar, this is life-saving stuff...For its ideas and information, music students, performers and writers of all types should treasure this book...A most worthwhile reference work."--EPTA Piano Journal"Should become the standard reference work for all serious writers about music." --The Trombonist"Presented with impeccable clarity."--Music Teacher"Not only a valuable quick-reference compendium of information but also a lively and enjoyable book that triggers as well as offers ideas." --Australian Music Teacher Magazine"Packed with practicalities, ideally suited to the needs of the undergraduate and postgraduate student...A valuable reference book."--South African Music Teacher

Promotional

A writing guide and style reference manual in one

Review Quote

"...excellent resource. ... I cannot recommend this volume highly enough ... one of the most valuable books available in today's commercial market."--John Woodford, "...a commendably thorough survey ... Clearly expressed and logically ordered, Herbert's concise guide offers helpful, common-sense advice ... it will serve as an invaluable reference tool ...."--The Strad "Well-written and easy to read... I can commend this volume to anyone considering undertaking further professional development in music. ... an accessible and thorough source of guidance ... a useful reference tool."--ensemble "For the student and aspiring scholar, this is life-saving stuff... For its ideas and information, music students, performers and writers of all types should treasure this book ... a most worthwhile reference work."--EPTA Piano Journal "should become the standard reference work for all serious writers about musicThe Trombonist "presented with impeccable clarity."--Music Teacher "not only a valuable quick-reference compendium of information but also a lively and enjoyable book that triggers as well as offers ideas."--Australian Music Teacher Magazine "...packed with practicalities, ideally suited to the needs of the undergraduate and postgraduate student ... valuable reference book."--South African Music Teacher

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