Best book on Theory for

[Mike20]

Hey,

Basically i produce progressive trance/ electro house, i am currently getting piano lessons, and i aim to bring back 'music' to music,

My theory is what is letting me down in my learning process at the moment, i've found once i understand the theory of things and how/why the work, i find it so much easier to put them in to practise rather than just the tweaking/ getting by sort of thing,

Anyway, i only get 30 minutes per week with my piano teacher so it's mainly practical work and just pick up the theory as we go, but i would really like a book to read to cover it all,

I know i could just type in to amazon music piano theory, but i wanted to know if anybody has any personal recommendations, i'm not sure if it makes a difference of the genre's i produce, but i thought i would mention it just incase

Thank you in advance for any recommendations!

Mike

[Tricky-Loops]

Maybe the Songwriter's Workshop Books ("Melody" and "Harmony") by Jimmy Kachulis could help you...

[jancivil]

I have found that, with the facility the internet provides, there is a tendency today to take 'music theory' outside the context of where it's going to apply, as though all of it is going to be true for music in general.

So what I recommend is to examine principles along with the music you're playing or analyzing.

additionally, some of music theory by itself, in terms of application at all can lead you astray if you're not prepared for the information. I'm tempted to elaborate on that but chances are too high it's going to amount to the quality of confusion I'm warning against.

Information itself is not knowledge. Reading a book is not really going to 'cover' it as you seem to be expecting. Music theory is codified principles describing practice as coherently as we can. You want to apply the information to a model that's before you, observing the particulars of the application of principles in action, hearing it.

I went with the book the courses I took used. I think a course is going to be much more efficient than independent research. I think the feedback from an instructor that knows something is crucial. Proceed with skepticism as per the internet anyway.

[JumpingJackFlash]

My Introduction to Music Theory might have some useful information as a starting point.

[Tricky-Loops]

Reading about music theory does not mean NOT to practice. You can do both at the same time. There is even a good program with music theory AND practical exercises:

LenMus Phonascus

[Mike20]

Firstly thanks for the recommendations,

@JumpingJack, thanks a lot i'll check that out a little later on

@Trickyloops, yeah that's what i meant, i get my piano lessons now, and i practise every day piano, before i start producing my tracks i spend an hour and a half just practising from sheet/ books,

What i wanted a book for is say the weekend, when i'm not producing as much, something to be able to sit down and read away from my DAW, as i said when i understand how something works i can understand how to put it in to practicality much easier (if that makes sense)

Thanks again i'll check out that book also!

Mike

[seacouch]

My favorite theory book, by far, is "Jazz Theory", by Andrew Jaffe.

I see that the current price for a used copy on Amazon is a mere $696.59.

(it's a small price to pay if you're really serious!)




http://www.amazon.com/Jazz-Theory-Andre ... 4JITQ2DKD7

[Ogg Vorbis]

My favorite theory book, by far, is "Jazz Theory", by Andrew Jaffe.

I see that the current price for a used copy on Amazon is a mere $696.59.

Ha ha! You could get a pretty good instructor for a half-year for that price.

[tapper mike]

I'v e found both good and bad teachers. Many get by with skill alone. And while skill is important it's hard to learn something from someone who isn't versed in the strategies in writing.

Most all of the songwriters I've come across make much from a little knowledge and a lot of ear. The most prolific ones come from the "tin pan alley" school of write the progression and then apply melody and rythm to it.

People can "think" theory all day long but if they don't capture the style which is largly dependent on developing rythmic modes then they'll never truely get it.

I've know several people who could scale ad naseum but couldn't produce a single solo same gois for those who knew ever chord and inversion in the book yet sounded dry and lifeless. Many quit music because they new they weren't getting it and yet still followed the same rituals expecting something to change.

A good copy book (everyone who's ever been anyone has covered someone else at some point) and an open mind to progressions will go much further for developing musical ability and writing ability then thinking too much and not embracing the elements of style via experience.

[jayjay112]

I am reading a book which was recommended to me a while ago.

Its called "Music Theory For Computer Musicians" by Michale Hewitt.


I like it because most the stuff is explained not only with staff and clef type, but its done on a piano roll, so i find it very handy and easy to follow.

Defo would recommend the book, Ive found lots of videos online but its just great to have a book for reference at times and its good to read it when its not possible for me to work on my computer.

There are loads on ebay, its got a green cover.....i think i got mine for about £20....a good investment!

[Mike20]

Thanks again for the replies!

And Jayjay - I've just come across that book. that one and the other one called harmoney & voicing for computer musicians, i'm going to order both..

Cheers guys!

[jayjay112]

Thanks again for the replies!

And Jayjay - I've just come across that book. that one and the other one called harmoney & voicing for computer musicians, i'm going to order both..

Cheers guys!

I havent seen that book, will check it out thanks.

The ones by Michael Hewitt seem to be fairly easy to follow.

[vincenti]

I would suggest you learn solfege, there are a number of possible ways to do that and it will be possible to incorporate into your piano practice easily. There's a book called Jazz Ears by Thom Mason which covers this, don't be deterred by the fact that it says Jazz Ears, you'll be able to use this even if you want to play trance or you're practicing a scale or whatever. Once you feel comfortable with your ear and you can detect intervals with relative ease, you hear how the voices are moving etc, you can go on to the standard theory books which generally just goes over how to name things. Develop at least part of your ear before you do that tho, otherwise the "facts" wont have meaning.

[jancivil]

Great point.

[cron]

I would suggest you learn solfege, there are a number of possible ways to do that and it will be possible to incorporate into your piano practice easily. There's a book called Jazz Ears by Thom Mason which covers this, don't be deterred by the fact that it says Jazz Ears, you'll be able to use this even if you want to play trance or you're practicing a scale or whatever. Once you feel comfortable with your ear and you can detect intervals with relative ease, you hear how the voices are moving etc, you can go on to the standard theory books which generally just goes over how to name things. Develop at least part of your ear before you do that tho, otherwise the "facts" wont have meaning.

Great idea. Thanks for this. Looking back, an ex partner of mine learned solfege before anything else. His music teacher was also his driving teacher (unusual, I know), and he told me stories of how he'd be tasked with identifying the intervals of gear changes in the car. An offhand conversation I dismissed as merely amusing, but this constant practice of identifying intervals seems to have set him up very well now I think about it.

Cheers!