Test Guide

Section 9: Annotated List of Resources for CSET: Music

Introduction

This list identifies some resources that may help candidates prepare to take CSET: Music. While not a substitute for coursework or other types of teacher preparation, these resources may enhance a candidate's knowledge of the content covered on the examination. The references listed are not intended to represent a comprehensive listing of all potential resources. Candidates are not expected to read all of the materials listed below, and passage of the examination will not require familiarity with these specific resources. A brief summary is provided for each reference cited.

Books

Clendinning, Jane Piper and Elizabeth West Marvin. (2021). The Musician's Guide to Theory and Analysis. 4th ed. New York: W. W. Norton.

Presents a foundation in music theory including voice leading, counterpoint, functional harmony, chromaticism, and post-tonal music. Workbook and anthology are also available.

Gould, Elaine. (2011). Behind Bars: The Definitive Guide to Music Notation. London: Faber.

Offers a reference to traditional western, modern, and idiomatic music notation.

Levine, Mark. (1989). The Jazz Piano Book. Petaluma, CA: Sher Music.

Leads pianists from a review of intervals and triads through voicings, Latin jazz, and comping in 23 chapters.

Crook, Hal. (2015). How to Improvise: An Approach to Practicing Improvisation. Van Nuys, CA: Alfred.

Presents approaches for beginning jazz improvisation from melodic and rhythmic embellishment, scale patterns, motif development, and various scale types.

Frackenpohl, Arthur. (1991). Keyboard Harmony. Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill.

Provides information on keyboard harmonization and improvisation techniques.

Rogers, Nancy and Robert W. Ottman. (2019). Music for Sight Singing. 10th ed. New York: Pearson.

Presents 21 chapters with sight singing examples progressively arranged according to melody and rhythm.

Kamien, Roger. (2022). Music: An Appreciation. 13th ed. Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill.

Provides an approach to perceptive listening and an introduction to musical elements, Western forms and stylistic periods, and non-Western repertoire in 114 chapters.

Burkholder, J. Peter, Donald J. Grout, and Claude V. Palisca. (2019). A History of Western Music. 10th ed. New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Co., Inc.

This survey of western music provides scholarship and presents a variety of interactive features.

Brackett, David. (2019). The Pop, Rock, and Soul Reader. 4th ed. New York: Oxford University Press.

Presents an anthology of American popular music from 1920 to 2019.

Rommen, Timothy and Bruno Nettl. (2021). Excursions in World Music. 8th ed. New York: Routledge.

Explores music from around the world contextually and ethnomusicologically in 13 chapters.

Green, Elizabeth and Mark Gibson. (2004) 7th ed. New Jersey: Pearson.

Provides practical instruction on conducting patterns, cuing techniques, and skills needed for working with a variety of ensembles.

Online Resources

National Association for Music Education opens in a new window

Provides music education resources, online open forums, and links to the 2014 national music standards.

Internet Music Theory Database opens in a new window

Furnishes hundreds of musical examples of functionally tonal harmony and voice leading.

musictheory.net opens in a new window

Provides links to download free apps that aid in the study of music theory.

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