Because of its innovative approach, Foundations of Diatonic Theory will come as a breath of fresh air for those who decide to incorporate it into fundamentals courses. It would also provide courses on music and mathematics, and on diatonic set theory, with a way of getting into the material that encourages students to think critically--a most desirable quality in a text, as critical thinking should be demanded of the student by any graduate or upper-division undergraduate course. If Johnson's Montessori-style approach is contagious among the next generation of textbook authors, the benefits to theory students and instructors alike could be enormous.

Not only does Foundations of Diatonic Theory accomplish its stated goals, but it does so in such a masterful way, and with such a refreshing approach, that after reading it, any course on music fundamentals, music and mathematics, or diatonic set theory taught without its perspective would feel incomplete.