Basic Elements of Music introduces readers to a wide range of knowledge essential for a well-rounded understanding of music. This primer surveys the history of music and the composers who made that history; the history of instrument families and how the instruments function; an introduction to the science of sound and sound production; the various types of ensembles; and the fundamentals of music theory, form in music, musical notation, and music vocabulary. Accessible, yet detailed and comprehensive, Michael Pagliaro’s handbook is an excellent guide for music lovers, instructors, and students in any music program. As an introduction to music for the layman, a refresher for music teachers planning lessons, or an enrichment source for professional musicians seeking broader music knowledge, this book is an invaluable addition to any library.

"Instrumentalists’ first musical experiences are generally limited to intensive study of their instrument of choice. Pagliaro introduces the broader realm of music, beginning with music history and sound production (chapters 1 and 2). He devotes the next 12 chapters to four families of band and orchestra instruments—non-fretted strings, brass, woodwind, and percussion. For each group, Pagliaro explores the various instruments’ characteristics and history and explains how they work. He concludes by returning to music fundamentals—in chapters devoted to form, basic music theory, and types of ensembles—and discussing opera and the role of the conductor. The volume includes numerous glossaries with brief definitions of key terms as well as recommendations of websites and books for further study…. [T]his is a practical, well-researched…guide that will be valuable to instrumental music majors, amateurs, and music teachers. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates, teachers, and general readers." - CHOICE

"The book offers itself as a strong reference guide for the general music educator, a foundational resource for a music student or a resource for the motivated music enthusiast. Encompassing a variety of must-know topics, this book presents subjects in a 21st-century manner, while acknowledging the academic needs of the reader." - American Music Teacher