Schenkerian Analysis: Perspectives on Phrase Rhythm, Motive and Form, Second Edition is a textbook directed at all those—whether beginners or more advanced students—interested in gaining understanding of and facility at applying Schenker’s ideas on musical structure. It begins with an overview of Schenker’s approach to music, and then progresses systematically from the phrase and its various combinations to longer and more complex works. Unlike other texts on this subject, Schenkerian Analysis combines the study of multi-level pitch organization with that of phrase rhythm (the interaction of phrase and hypermeter), motivic repetition at different structural levels, and form. It also contains analytic graphs of several extended movements, separate works, and songs. A separate instructor’s manual provides additional advice and solutions (graphs) of all recommended assignments.

This second edition has been revised to make the early chapters more accessible and to improve the pedagogical effectiveness of the book as a whole. Changes in musical examples have been carefully made to ensure that each example fully supports student learning. Informed by decades of teaching experience, this book provides a clear and comprehensive guide to Schenker’s theories and their applications.

David Beach has taught music theory for over forty years at Yale University, the Eastman School of Music (University of Rochester), and at the Faculty of Music, University of Toronto. He is currently retired, living in northern California.