This work, which has become a classic in music theory since its publication in 1983, models music understanding from the perspective of cognitive science. The point of departure is a search for a grammar of music with the aid of generative linguistics. The theory, which is illustrated with numerous examples from Western classical music, relates the aural surface of a piece to the musical structure unconsciously inferred by the experienced listener. From the viewpoint of traditional music theory, it offers many innovations in notation as well as in the substance of rhythmic and reductional theory.

本书是吴洁敏教授主持完成的国家社科基金和国家自然科学基金课题成果的总结，共九章，包括汉语的停延、节奏、重音、节奏主旋律、声调和语调、句调群组合规律、基调的“九宫调模矩阵”以及汉语古诗律流变和新诗格律探讨。“汉语节律学”研究的是汉语从音节到语篇的不同层次内音高、音长、音强以及音色的组合规律和层次间的音长、音空的组合规律，是专门研究怎样运用汉语语音节律手段来加强表情达意的力度和精确度的学问。