The subject-matter of all theory books is approximately the same. The differences between them are largely in the order and manner of presentation of the various topics. In this book, the explanations and directions for practising the Exercises may seem unnecessarily detailed; but, at the risk of being tedious, the author has endeavored to write out the consecutive steps that most students must take in mastering the different subjects. In the opinion of the author, phrasing should be introduced in music-study at the earliest possible moment; hence its place at the beginning of the book. The experienced teacher will, of course, teach two topics, such as Phrasing and Scales, or note-values and Scales, at the same lesson, if it seems advisable to do so.