David Beecroft's new book, "Perfecting Intonation" provides an excellent source of information and exercises. With an approach that is well organized, this book is indispensable for all musicians looking to hone their sense of pitch.
The introduction provides an in-depth scientific discussion of the differences between equal temperament and just intonation. While this is a bit of a technical read, it is delivered with a personal touch, making it both enjoyable and informative. The information included is also necessary to understanding the intent and focus of the studies.
Exercises are provided, along with a play-along CD, that are designed to help identify the proper tuning for intervals in a variety of contexts. The focus is on making the note combinations sound in tune for the given situation, which is where "just intonation" comes into play.
One aspect of the presentation that I like is that an overview of the exercises to be performed with each practice track is shown at the beginning of each interval study. Common transpositions are provided on subsequent pages. This makes it easy to see and get a feel for what you will be practicing.
I also like the fact that Beecroft recommends singing each of the exercises. He uses one of my favorite quotes, "If you can't sing it, you don't hear it..."
All being said, "Perfecting Intonation" provides an excellent source of practice material, organized in an efficient and well-structured manner. Congratulations to David Beecroft for this notable contribution to the music education resources available today.
