Canadian Music Teacher Magazine Review

This review was written by Christine Dandy, and appeared in the Fall 2006 issue.

Doctor Mozart Music Theory Workbook Level 1

This is the first in a new series of theory books aimed at thoroughly covering Preliminary Rudiments in a way that is interesting and appealing to young students. A little dog named “Doctor Mozart” and a cast of other cleverly descriptive, colorful characters explain the basics. They then “drill” them with such humor and creativity as to avoid boredom, while continually reinforcing the lessons learned. Each topic is covered very comprehensively and in such explanatory detail that even young students should be able to work ahead on their own. For younger children with only rudimentary reading skills, the concepts are explained clearly enough that their parents should have no trouble reading, understanding, and helping. 

The book starts out exploring the keyboard, and then the staff and clefs. Following that are sections on time values, semitones, accidentals, enharmonic notes, dynamics and articulation marks. Many of the exercises seem designed to lead students to make their own discoveries. Others allow students to creatively apply what they have learned by writing notes and notation marks of their own choosing on the staff. 

My impression at first glance was that the pages seemed quite full, but with closer examination, I realized that they are carefully laid out for maximum pedagogic effectiveness. The more I delved into the book, the more interested I became. I was intrigued by the use of colour as a learning aid, by the inspired and often humorous characters, and by the subtle way in which constant repetition is woven into the lessons to remind students of what they have previously learned. These are all testaments to the originality and effectiveness of this method. 

Emphasized throughout are helpful details normally absent from theory workbooks. For example, to help students familiarize themselves with the piano keyboard in a tactile way, they are asked to trace each white key in turn. This should lead them to more closely examine the keyboard, and realize that the white keys are not just straight sticks. Similarly, the staff is likened to a ladder, with birds laying their eggs on the rungs. Their eggs become notes, which are not round, so when traced, the student immediately perceives them as ovals, a concept which once learned, requires no later correction. In drawing line notes and space notes, as well as sharps and flats, care is taken to point out that the line or space fits in the center of the note or accidental. This not only aids in writing, but also reading music. Penmanship principles are applied in the drawing of many notation elements, with little arrows showing where to start each pencil stroke, which should help students learn to write music correctly, from the start. 

This book is packed with helpful hints and details, presented with creativity and flair. The consistent color coding and entertaining graphics serve as useful memory aids. There is enough drill to ensure the learning is retained, without seeming too repetitive. With all it has to offer, this book is well worth its premium price. The only way to fully appreciate this pedagogic gem is to see it for yourself. However, be prepared to spend some time with it to discover what makes this fresh new approach so promising as a theory workbook of choice for young students. 

Christine Dandy (B.Mus., B.Ed., ARCT) earned her degrees at University of Toronto where she studied piano with Clifford Poole. 

Home