Techniques of the Contemporary Composer

Based loosely on the author's earlier New Music Composition (Schirmer Books, 1977), this new book is designed to be a practical guide to the compositional techniques, resources, and technologies available to composers of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. Indispensable as a ready reference for composers and scholars, Techniques is also an excellent introduction to the motives, ideas, and styles behind contemporary music. Beginning with a general survey of 19th century harmonic and melodic techniques, each chapter traces the development the traditional and modern elements that form the underpinning of music in the late twentieth century. Among the subjects discussed are interval exploration, serialism, pitch-class sets, and twelve tone as well as electronic music, algorithimic composition, indeterminacy, and much more. With a logical, step-by-step approach supplemented by over 300 musical examples and an extensive bibliography, Techniques of the Contemporary Composer is an excellent source for practicing composers and students of modern music alike. David Cope is professor of music at the University of California at Santa Cruz. He is the author of New Directions in Music and the composer of over eighty published musical pieces.