Music History & Criticism: Top 10 Books

Discover the Best Music History & Criticism Books

If you’re passionate about understanding the rich tapestry of music history and criticism, you’re in for a treat. This curated list of the top 10 books in this genre covers everything from jazz legends to groundbreaking rock albums, offering insightful analyses and compelling narratives. These books are essential for any music lover looking to deepen their appreciation and knowledge. Read on to find your next great read and add these must-have titles to your collection.

By Jane Doe

Bestseller No. 1

Standard of Excellence, Book 1: Theory & History Workbook

• KJOS Model#L21
• Elledge, Chuck (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 32 Pages – 04/27/1993 (Publication Date) – Neil a Kjos Music Co (Publisher)

$8.50

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SaleBestseller No. 2

Rap Music and the Poetics of Identity (New Perspectives in Music History and Criticism, Series Number 5)

• Used Book in Good Condition
• Krims, Adam (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 232 Pages – 04/27/2000 (Publication Date) – Cambridge University Press (Publisher)

$25.10

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Bestseller No. 3

Accent on Composers: The Music and Lives of 22 Great Composers, with Listening CD, Review/Tests, and Supplemental Materials, Comb Bound Book & Online PDF/Audio

• Format: Comb Bound Book & Enhanced CD
• Version: CD Kit (Book & Enhanced CD) (Includes Reproducible Student Pages)
• Category: General Music and Classroom Publications
• Contributors: By Jay Althouse and Judy O’Reilly
• Pub Date: 7/2001

$39.99

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SaleBestseller No. 4

Brass Instruments: Their History and Development (Dover Books On Music: Instruments)

• Baines, Anthony (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 320 Pages – 04/19/2012 (Publication Date) – Dover Publications (Publisher)

$15.55

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SaleBestseller No. 5

Music Is History

• Hardcover Book
• Questlove (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 352 Pages – 10/19/2021 (Publication Date) – Harry N. Abrams (Publisher)

$12.84

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SaleBestseller No. 6

The Amadeus Book of the Violin: Construction, History and Music

• Kolneder, Walter (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 600 Pages – 03/01/2003 (Publication Date) – Amadeus (Publisher)

$32.56

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SaleBestseller No. 7

Country Music: An Illustrated History

• Hardcover Book
• Duncan, Dayton (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 560 Pages – 09/10/2019 (Publication Date) – Knopf (Publisher)

$28.96

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SaleBestseller No. 8

Five Centuries of Keyboard Music (Dover Books On Music: Piano)

• Keyboard
• Gillespie, John (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 512 Pages – 06/01/1972 (Publication Date) – Dover Publications (Publisher)

$19.90

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SaleBestseller No. 9

The Blues: A Visual History: 100 Years of Music That Changed the World

• Hardcover Book
• Evans, Mike (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 272 Pages – 07/28/2020 (Publication Date) – Schiffer (Publisher)

$30.83

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SaleBestseller No. 10

Major Labels: A History of Popular Music in Seven Genres

• Sanneh, Kelefa (Author)
• English (Publication Language)
• 496 Pages – 10/04/2022 (Publication Date) – Penguin Books (Publisher)

$12.99

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Check out other Top 10 lists about Music!

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Discover the top 10 books on music history and criticism. Dive into insightful analyses and compelling narratives from jazz legends to rock icons. Perfect for music lovers.

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Music history, music criticism, best music books, jazz history, rock music, classical music, Prince Purple Rain, Allman Brothers, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, music literature, music analysis, music culture, book recommendations.