TCT08 - Celebrate Theory - The Royal Conservatory - Level 8

This is the musical theory aimed at grade 8 RCM players? Assuming this book is a representative sample, music theory is in a bad, bad place. Because this book is absolute drivel. In the hundred-or-so-pages, I only spotted two actual occurrences of anything you could call “theory.” Instead, Celebrate Theory is full of inane exercises like “provide an Italian term for ‘lively'.”

Worse, it has perfunctory explanations like “contrast can be achieved in a variety of ways, including changes to the rhythm, melody, or harmony. To create a pleasing effect, composers strive for balance between contrast and unity.” And that's all that Celebrate Theory has to say about THAT topic.

I don't know what's harder to believe; that music theory is in such a bad place, or that I actually spent $50 on this piece of shit.