The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music History: From Pre-Historic Africa to Classical Europe to American Popular Music

by Michael Miller

A beautifully composed journey through music history!Music history is a required course for all music students. Unfortunately, the typical music history book is dry and academic, focusing on rote memorization of important composers and works. This leads many to think that the topic is boring, but bestselling author Michael Miller proves that isn’t so. This guide makes music history interesting and fun, for both music students and older music lovers.• Covers more than Western “classical” music—also includes non-Western music and uniquely American forms such as jazz• More than just names and dates—puts musical developments in context with key historical events

Genres: Music, History

652 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2008

Reviews

[JoyfulK · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is very readable. It's a good overview. I wish it had better footnotes. I particularly enjoyed the discussion of Greek influences on music that are still present today, as well as the discussion of African polyrhythms.

Sadly, as so often happens, the "History of Music" section is really a history of Western music, and music of other areas of the world is shunted off to a separate section rather than being integrated into the main narrative. This is better than if other areas weren't covered at all. But I found it particularly irritating that, for example, the South American music timeline begins post-colonization, even though the discussion does contain some info about music from pre-Colombian cultures. The so-called African music timeline is even worse, as they start it in about 1960. It's all a little too Eurocentric for my tastes.

Recommended conditionally, as I haven't found anything that addresses the history of music any better. Maybe someday.

[Joseph DiCicco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Using for Arts & Humanities into course on music.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not completely through with this book and won't be for awhile- I have to return it to the library soon. I really want this book on my own bookshelf- with the CDs as well. I liked this book on music history because it was so straight forward and really enjoyable to read for a history book. It didn't over analyze the eras so you weren't bogged down in the words. You could just float through musical time. I liked that it really helped me remember all those things I learned once upon a time as a music major. And, I didn't feel like an idiot in the process :)

[Michaelchan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recommend this book to history buffs who enjoys the development of music mainly in the western world. Or for any one who simply wants to know more about how music evolved from its monophony form in the Middle Ages to our modern polyphony form. Staying true to complete idiot's directive, the book is pleasing to read, a lovely bonus to our hectic schedules :-)

[Dgg32 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read the book when you want a quick overview of music, both historically and geographically. It goes without too much music theory in it and mentions literally all noteworthy little facts in the world of music.