The #1 best-selling rock history text available, now with the Norton Illumine Ebook
What's new
Since its first edition, What’s That Sound? has been #1 on the chart of rock history textbooks. Students love the story-like narrative that offers accessible analysis of rock music and balanced coverage of the social, technological, and business contexts that develop different styles within the genre. New to the Seventh Edition, the Norton Illumine Ebook helps students actively learn music.
Students connect with the music through the Listening Guides
Since its first edition, the Listening Guides in What's That Sound? have set the standard in presenting what’s going on in the music and in helping students both comprehend the basic elements of music and develop their listening skills.
Students test their knowledge and receive answer-specific feedback
Check Your Understanding questions review chapter sections and include music excerpts that engage students with the content and ensure understanding.
What's new in the Seventh Edition
- Norton Illumine Ebook format richly integrated with engaging Sound Check interactive modules, Check Your Understanding questions, embedded Interactive Listening Guides, and illustrative audio excerpts.
- A slate of songs freshly licensed for this edition all available as Listening Guides and used in Check Your Understanding questions, InQuizitive activities, and test bank questions.
- Chapter 16 includes coverage of rock music in social media, especially TikTok’s and AI’s impacts on the music business and listening and creative practices.
About the authors
Meet your marketing manager: Emily Erickson
Hi! I'm Emily. I've been working at W. W. Norton for the past five years. I have such an amazing position as the marketing manager for music. I collaborate with a highly creative, passionate team on exciting music projects across theory, appreciation, jazz, rock, and more.
I also love meeting with instructors to hear about course challenges and the ever-evolving nature of teaching music to today’s high school and college students. I love thinking about how our materials can be the solution to both student and instructor challenges.
When I'm not at work, I enjoy hiking in the Rockies, riding my bike around the small town that I live in, and finding new places to explore with my husband and two young boys. We all love music and often spin records and dance in our living room.
Image Credits: (Covach) Keith Bullis/University of Rochester
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