Music for Today

Abstract

Inc., 1976. 376 pp. Bibliographies, appendixes. Soft cover, $10.95.Gelineau's book, which is written for both the nonmusician and the music teacher, is characterized by a light-hearted, encouraging tone and touches of humor. This cheery, relaxed, encouraging attitude is one of the greatest assets of the book. Using a commonsense approach that reflects solid experience, she moves through familiar areas such as singing, music reading, and listening.Features of the book include an excellent, clearly and liberally illustrated treatment of introductory experiences on the ukulele and harmonica; numerous excellent lists, which contain good examples of action songs; and many large, clear diagrams and illustrations. Every chapter ends with lists of resource materials that include reading sources for the professional. Transparency masters are added in an appendix. Devices to develop such skills as part singing and ear training are presented in order of difficulty. There is a good comprehensive chapter on movement, and the chapter that shows how to play chords on the piano is well done.Occasionally Gelineau adopts a "this is a" descriptive style, such as in the chapters on rhythm and chords, instead of presenting learning experiences to help teachers guide children to an understanding of the concepts. More complete step-by-step lessons would be desirable. Her suggested format for music lessons is quite traditional, and there is little or no mention of such current trends and influences as Orff, Kodaly, and the Manhattanville Music Curriculum Program.Garretson's book is aimed primarily toward the music educator. In a nononsense, objective, and serious approach, he avoids any personal touch and so lacks the enthusiasm, lightheartedness, and humor of the Gelineau book. His work, however, is extraordinarily comprehensive and well organized.