Is anyone familiar with the Robert Greenberg Series "How To Listen To And Understand Great Music"--3rd Edition? As I understand it, it is a series of 48 different 45 minute lectures with musical examples of most notable historic composers and styles woven in. Am wondering if this course is worthwhile--is it enjoyable and/or did you really learn something from it? The DVD course is represented as normally priced at $699.95 but can now be bought at $99.95 + shipping. I am interested if this is worthwhile course but don't want to spend $115 if it is not beneficial. Thanks, in advance, for any feedback provided.

No need to 'understand' music. Listening is enough. Now, what most people would like to do is understand (classical) music before enjoying it. Why? Because most times, they need an excuse.

Someone lent me a copy of that series (I don't know what edition), and I still haven't started listening to it myself. It just seems so intimidating (working on 48 different lectures), and when I have extra time, I'm usually checking out the forums nowadays, or practicing. When I do get to go through a few of them, I'll let you know. Otherwise, maybe someone else can provide feedback in the meantime

I've listened to a few of them, and they were really interesting! Of course I can't claim to be an expert, but from what I've heard I would definitely like to hear more.

Robert Greenberg is excellent! I have enjoyed several of his audio courses and highly recommend them. the Teacing Company carries his tapes, and puts them on sale a lot. I think they have a money-back guarantee.

I listen to his tapes on my work commute.

They are definately educational and entertaining. I enjoy his style, he has a way of making some rather dry topics interesting.

I've watched several other TTC videos, and would recommend them to anyone.

Why not just listen to the music and 'understand it' that way?

This course offers a historical context for the evolution of various styles, such as Opera, Symphony, Solo Concerto, etc and provides some guidance as to what defines those styles and what to listen for. It is a bit academic and is meant for someone who wants to explore these styles of music in an academic sense.

Ultimately, when it comes to listening to music simply for the sake of listening to some music, how one 'understands' it will be a personal response to the music itself.

Personally, I think having some background knowledge regarding a particular style or genre can augment the 'listening experience'.

Robert Greenberg is outstanding. I've seen his DVD's on Beethoven string quartets, symphonies and piano sonatas. They are all excellent and he is fun to listen to. It's well worth the money.


As an aside, the Teaching Company's DVDs on Understanding the Universe by Professor Alex Filippenko is also fantastic.

I find that a very snobbish attitude. I personally get a great deal of pleasure out of understanding music in an intellectual way, sometimes music that I already liked by listening to it and sometimes music that I didn't. There are plenty of other people who feel the same, or could do if they were to explore it.

Sure, do it the dumbed-down version. Like our society doesn't have enough of that. Dumbed down novels, dumbed down movies, shows, dumbed down music. What is it with folks who for some reason get nauseaus at the thought of thinking? Jeez, what a difficult task that is. People who have no clue about music LOVE to say what you say. They don't get that it's a level of enjoyment that is SO much more satisfying than just sitting there like a moron and listening in a trance without knowing what the hell is going on.

Robert Greenberg is very good. The lectures will provide an historical and cultural context for Western classical music from the Greeks through the 1950's or so.

I enjoyed them very much, although I knew much of what was offered. We've listened to them more than once.

Actually Angie, what I suggest is actually harder (thinking wise) anyway. What I meant was why not listen to the music and then ask your own questions about it. For instance, how is the composer using repetition and contrast, what harmonies are being used, how is interest maintained ... you know, all those questions people go to school to get answers to.

The nice thing about Robert Greenberg is he is a reliable source for answers to questions- he has done the research and has the education as well as lecture experience, and he organizes and presents materiel very well. Well worth the investment.

Thanks to all of you that have responded with your thoughts. The majority familiar with it seem to think it is worthwhile so I am going to place an order. Once I have it and review some of the lectures I'll post my thoughts.

You might want look for some of these in your local libraries to try them out before you buy. This one helped me better understand how a classical symphony is structured. Greenberg has many courses, some focusing on individual composers too.

Thank god

Edit: well I just read the post again, and it really doesn't seem that way.. you say "Now, what most people would like to do is understand (classical) music before enjoying it. Why?" - I didn't get anything about thinking from that..

I got "Understanding the Fundamentals of Music" when it went on sale. Very informative and entertaining. I love his little rants too.

Does he not like Chopin. Biography on Beethoven and co but no chopin.

I get where you're coming from, and it's true, but to really understand the meaning behind the notes, to get to the heart of the composer, you absolutely need more than the score. You need to know quite a bit more. Unfortunately a lot of this is NOT taught. But a serious student/listener should do this homework on his/her own. This is why I appreciate intelligent pianists like Schiff or Brendel, who really do their homework. Unfortunately, critics like to make them out to be cold, removed, detached, pedantic, and other nonsense.

I would say that the faculty of understanding is not involved at all in the appreciation of music unless there are lyrics involved. In the analysis of music? Yes, but you should not be analysing it while you are listening!

I decided I am going to buy it...

Keep in mind he hates Chopin (My conspiracy theory)

ps
http://fora.tv/2007/08/13/Music_Heart_Soul_and_Dollar_-_Robert_Greenberg#fullprogram

If you click onto the chapter 10 microtonal scales I see he says "scales or pitch collections". He hates using the term "scale" when talking about mode/pitch collections. One of his pet peeves.

Well this Robert Greenberg sounds interesting. I am already taking history soo would he still benefit my learning? would it just be some additional knowledge? My understanding of music has already skyrocketed with history and my very knowledged teacher.

Ah! Then we must make some suggestions to him for the next edition...