Lovelock wrote dozens of instructional books, but his "Harmony" series (often broken into First, Second, and Third Year volumes) became the standard syllabus for the Associate Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) and Trinity College London examinations. His genius lay in deconstructing complex German and Austro-centric harmonic theories into digestible, exercise-driven lessons for self-study. To the uninitiated, "Second Year Harmony" might sound like an intermediate course. In reality, this volume assumes you have already mastered the "First Year" basics: triads, cadences, figured bass, and simple diatonic chord progressions.
Even though it is a "written" harmony book, sit at a piano. Play every chord you write. If it sounds wrong, it is wrong—regardless of the rule. second year harmony william lovelock pdf new
In recent months, search interest for has spiked significantly. This article explores why this 70-year-old textbook is experiencing a digital renaissance, what you can actually expect to find in a "new" PDF version, and how to use this material effectively to transform your understanding of functional harmony. Who Was William Lovelock? Before diving into the specific book, it is vital to understand the author. William Lovelock (1899–1986) was a British composer, conductor, and pedagogue. He served as the Principal of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and later as the Director of the Queensland Conservatorium of Music in Australia. Lovelock wrote dozens of instructional books, but his
Before doing an exercise, look at Lovelock’s provided musical examples (usually Bach chorales). In the PDF, highlight all the Non-Chord Tones (NCTs). This is where the "Second Year" secret lies. In reality, this volume assumes you have already
The "new" PDF is merely a vessel. The real value is the second year of your own harmonic development. Lovelock provides the map; you must walk the chromatic path. Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes. Copyright laws vary by territory. Please ensure you are complying with local intellectual property laws before downloading or distributing copyrighted materials.
For generations of music students across the Commonwealth and beyond, the name William Lovelock has been synonymous with rigorous, clear, and progressive music theory education. While many digital-era resources come and go, the foundational texts of the mid-20th century remain gold standards. Among these, Second Year Harmony occupies a crucial bridge—moving students from basic chord construction into the sophisticated world of modulation, chromaticism, and part-writing.
Still use paper. Print the exercise pages. Lovelock’s penmanship is designed for handwriting four-part chords.