This essential introduction to the art and craft of musical composition is designed to familiarize beginning composers with principles and techniques applicable to a broad range of musical styles, from concert pieces to film scores and video game music. The first of its kind to utilize a style-neutral approach, in addition to presenting the commonly known classical forms, this book offers invaluable general guidance on developing and connecting musical ideas, building to a climax, and other fundamental formal principles. It is designed for both classroom use and independent study.

这本关于音乐创作艺术和工艺的基本介绍旨在让初学的作曲家熟悉适用于各种音乐风格的原理和技术，从音乐会曲目到电影配乐和电子游戏音乐。这本书首次采用风格中立的方法，除了呈现众所周知的古典形式外，还提供了发展和连接音乐思想、构建高潮和其他基本形式原则的宝贵一般指导。它是为课堂使用和独立学习而设计的。