Playable BooksOpening the book…
JOHANN JOSEPH FUX
Gradus ad Parnassum
The Latin dialogue, in English and in music.
In review 389 of 436 examples playable
Before you startReading Simplified English
You’re reading Simplified English. , the clefs or the source pages in Settings. Press ▶ on a figure to hear it, or tap the notation to start from a bar.
For a long time, I felt blocked from learning through music textbooks. I wanted to understand what they were teaching, but getting into the material was a struggle. That frustration stayed with me.
With William Caplin’s permission, I built the companion app for his book Analyzing Classical Form, bringing its musical examples and audio together. Playable Books grows out of that same interest: making these books easier to learn from.
In 2026, I think we can do much more to lower those barriers. We can put explanations, notation, and listening together, offer clearer language, and keep the original close at hand. I want more people to be able to open a music book and find a way into it.
Why Fux?
Fux published Gradus ad Parnassum in 1725. He teaches through a conversation between Joseph, a learner, and Aloysius, a teacher modeled on Palestrina. You begin with one note against one note, then work with faster movement, suspensions, and more voices. Each exercise gives you a small set of decisions to think about.
I’d approach the rules as a way to train your ear within this musical tradition. Ask what each rule helps you notice. When an exception appears, listen for the reason it works.
How I’d use this reader
Start with a short passage and one example. Simplified English offers a direct way into the explanation. Switch to English or Latin when you want to look more closely at Fux’s wording.
For a playable example, listen once. Then follow one voice, slow it down, and sing or play the line yourself. Try writing a few bars before reading the correction. Compare your choices with the explanation.
Keep the original scan nearby when a detail matters. The rendered notation and playback are study aids. Examples awaiting review remain available in their original form.
Where Playable Books goes next
This Fux edition is one example. If there’s another book you’ve wanted to study, I’d love to hear about it. Use “Request a book” to tell me what you have in mind.