KVR Audio

savantgarde · Post by **savantgarde** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 3:24 pm

I want to get into composition, through self study. Which book(s) would be good for learning relevant music theory (harmony etc.) to be able to compose? Would e.g. Tonal Harmony by Kostka be a wise choice of literature? I have some background on the piano and am able to read music. My ambitions are strictly within the confines of electronic music, and this is merely a hobby for me to make that clear

JumpingJackFlash · Post by **JumpingJackFlash** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 4:51 pm

savantgarde wrote:I want to get into composition, through self study. Which book(s) would be good for learning relevant music theory (harmony etc.) to be able to compose?

For harmony, you can't beat Four Part Harmony by Classroom Resources. Agree not to photocopy it and you get a 50% discount!

savantgarde · Post by **savantgarde** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 4:56 pm

JumpingJackFlash wrote:
savantgarde wrote:I want to get into composition, through self study. Which book(s) would be good for learning relevant music theory (harmony etc.) to be able to compose?
For harmony, you can't beat Four Part Harmony by Classroom Resources. Agree not to photocopy it and you get a 50% discount!

Thanks. Do you know how this compares to Tonal Harmony? Apparently that is a standard textbook on the subject.

rbarata · Post by **rbarata** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 6:21 pm

I always had an extreme difficulty to follow a complete book from the beginning to the end. So my approach is a bit "erratic"...I begin to read internet articles about the subject and everytime I come up with a doubt that seems significant I serch for free books....there are tons of them.

I've found that the best approach is to search for information and exercises in many different books at the same time because it will be difficult to find one that fits your needs (or taste) 100%.
Take a look at archive.org. These are all legal downloads and you may find also good videos or audiobooks on every subject (not only music related).

If you can find answers to your doubts, ask here or in any other music theory related forum.

Good luck!

liquidsound · Post by **liquidsound** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 6:33 pm

Books by Arnold Schoenberg on Harmony etc.

domkane · Post by **domkane** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 6:35 pm

the "Complete Idiots Guide to Music Composition" is a really good one... Ignore the first chapter which is lies (telling you how important it is to be able to read and write sheet music) but after that it starts going through some really good exercises.

manducator · Post by **manducator** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 6:47 pm

Some free resources:

www.musictheory.net

http://www.scribd.com/doc/5220863/Raven ... -Theory-06

https://www.webdepot.umontreal.ca/Usage ... index.html

savantgarde · Post by **savantgarde** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 6:54 pm

domkane wrote:the "Complete Idiots Guide to Music Composition" is a really good one... Ignore the first chapter which is lies (telling you how important it is to be able to read and write sheet music) but after that it starts going through some really good exercises.

I looked at this as well, but it seems to me Tonal Harmony goes more into depth.

domkane · Post by **domkane** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 6:59 pm

ah right, that could well be the case tbh, I haven't read Tonal Harmony, but I'll check it out!

savantgarde · Post by **savantgarde** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 7:09 pm

It seems to be the most popular book on the subject at Amazon (The Complete Idiots Guide coming in second?). Expensive though!

warrior545 · Post by **warrior545** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 8:05 pm

there are planty of books, but I would recommend buying basic books only, there is also a good course in berklee university, and may be you can buy only their books which are extremely amazing.

jancivil · Post by **jancivil** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 9:07 pm

JumpingJackFlash wrote:
savantgarde wrote:I want to get into composition, through self study. Which book(s) would be good for learning relevant music theory (harmony etc.) to be able to compose?
For harmony, you can't beat Four Part Harmony by Classroom Resources.

of all the things I ever saw online, that is the course that's impressed me, as far as DIY for regular harmony.

I never heard of Kostka or his books. 88 bucks, +57 for the workbook? I think not. it's being touted as a textbook for classroom. this is not what you say you're after. "It is a text book and is not meant to be used as a self-learning tool. I would reccomend this only if you are in college and need it for your music theory classes."

My teacher used no textbook btw.

savantgarde · Post by **savantgarde** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 9:16 pm

jancivil wrote:I never heard of Kostka or his books. 88 bucks, +57 for the workbook? I think not. it's being touted as a textbook for classroom. this is not what you say you're after. "It is a text book and is not meant to be used as a self-learning tool. I would reccomend this only if you are in college and need it for your music theory classes."

I see several recommend the Kostka for self study in the Amazon comments (I was also worried about its suitability outside the classroom); the workbook however, is apparently only suited for the classroom (due to referring to theory outside of the Kostka book's scope).

jancivil · Post by **jancivil** » Fri Mar 02, 2012 12:41 am

yeah, well the workbook is where you're going to learn the craft; the thing JJF recommended I've seen over and over again in these threads and I respect the approach and the clarity of it for DIY. with that book, well it's your money, that set runs you 140 some dollars and the workbook seems 'special'.

I would recommend a class at that price point.

savantgarde · Post by **savantgarde** » Fri Mar 02, 2012 11:11 am

JumpingJackFlash wrote:
savantgarde wrote:I want to get into composition, through self study. Which book(s) would be good for learning relevant music theory (harmony etc.) to be able to compose?
For harmony, you can't beat Four Part Harmony by Classroom Resources. Agree not to photocopy it and you get a 50% discount!

How do I get the discount? Couldn't see any such option on their pages.

Which book(s) for self study of music theory?