More Resources

While working on Part Two, I've been making efforts to expand the resources available to me, to increase my immersion in music (which I believe increases learning), and to have a library of materials to help with research. Some of the recent materials I've acquired are:

Encyclopedia Britannica 2012 Ultimate software - An encyclopedia I can use in tandem with Wikipedia to provide alternative information and media. A professional encyclopedia like this carries more weight when used as a reference in my essays than one that can be edited by the general pubic, such as Wikipedia. It proved very helpful when researching George Gershwin and his works.

'A Concise History of Western Music', 'The 50 Greatest Composers and their 1,000 Greatest Works', 'All You Have To Do Is Listen' - Three new books I've recently acquired. These will prove invaluable when researching particular events or composers, and for developing my intelligent listening. I have also made a start on reading 'A Concise History...' in it's entirety.

Howard Goodall's 'The Story of Music' TV Programme - This series began to air recently, and in a handful of one hour episodes traces the origins and development of Western music. So far, I have watched the first episode which chronicles the story of music dealing at first briefly with ancient instruments, on through to the various types of Gregorian chant and how music was first written down, to secular folk music and into the Renaissance period. This relevance of this TV series to me and this course needs no explanation.

BBC Music Magazine subscription - Having purchased a couple of individuals issues of this musical journal, I have now bought a subscription. The magazine should provide some interesting reading, and prove a catalyst for further reading and listening.