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This article showcases our top picks for the
Books To Learn Music Theory. We reached out to industry leaders and experts who have contributed the suggestions within this article (they have been credited for their contributions below).
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This list is in no particular order.
This product was recommended by Steven Walker from Spylix
Basic Music Theory guides you through the occasionally befuddling world of written Music in a clear, concise, and always courteous manner. The book is authored by a seasoned music educator who has perfected his approaches through more than 30 years of teaching in schools and his private studio. Lessons are enjoyable, well-paced, and fun. Whether you’re a novice of any age, an experienced player looking to brush up on theory, or a music teacher looking for a fun teaching approach, you’ll find this book invaluable. You will return to it time and time again.
This product was recommended by Steven Walker from Spylix
Damon Ferrante, a piano professor, leads you through 140 stage process lessons (from beginner to expert) and 30 online streaming classes. Thousands of piano teachers and students use this easy-to-follow approach, which is intended to be interactive, engaging, and entertaining. Your piano skills, creativity, and comprehension of Music will all increase dramatically due to lessons.
This product was recommended by Nikita Verma from PurpleCrest
This book makes music theory easy with a friendly introduction to the fundamental concepts, artistry, and technical mastery that make up great music, whether you’re a student, performer, or simply a fan. It won’t take you long to learn how to knock out beats, read scores, and anticipate where a piece should go, giving you a deeper understanding of the works of others and adding a new dimension to your own. It covers: – Master major and minor scales, intervals, pitches, and clefs – Understand basic notation, time signals, tempo, dynamics, and navigation – Employ melodies, chords, progressions, and phrases to form music – Compose harmonies and accompanying melodies for voice and instruments When you are looking for a book that will help you learn music theory on your own, this book is ideal. I highly recommend it.
This product was recommended by Andy Fraser from Guitar Inside Out
If you’re new to the guitar or looking to become more familiar with theory this is a great starting point. It’s easy for beginners and not too complicated but doesn’t oversimplify concepts or skip over important information. You’ll learn the basics, from string notes and shapes through to scales, keys, modes and more. It’s hard to think of a better place to begin with theory for guitar and have it explained clearly and in way you’ll be able to understand.
This product was recommended by Lee Atterton from Authority Guitar
If you’re looking for a comprehensive guide to understanding music theory, look no further than Music Theory: From Beginner to Expert. This step-by-step guide takes you from basics to advanced concepts, making it the perfect resource for anyone with an interest in music. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced musician, this book has something to offer you. I use this book on my own students and sometimes delve into it myself from time to time. Whether you’re a musician looking to fill in any gaps in your knowledge, or a parent wanting to help your child learn about music, this book is perfect for you.
This product was recommended by Shiv Gupta from Incrementors Web Solutions
If you’ve ever attempted to learn to read music, you’ll understand how difficult it is. This music reading guide is intended to help you break down such themes into simple, accessible chunks. It’s the perfect companion for anyone studying an instrument who needs a little more help with theory along the road. It’s designed with very clear graphics and more than 100 written tasks so you can put what you’re learning into practice and see how well you understand the concepts.
This product was recommended by Shiv Gupta from Incrementors Lead Generation
While all of the books on our list are excellent for musicians studying any instrument, having it explained in the context of the one you’re learning might be helpful. For those learning to play the six strings, Music Theory for Guitarists is the book to have. Tom Kolb, an accomplished guitarist, and teacher explains his approach in basic and easy language, including graphic representations, particularly for the fretboard. You also gain access to over 90 audio tracks with examples of all the subjects covered in the book to help you comprehend the concepts and apply them to the guitar.
This product was recommended by Sherrie Ashley from PeopleFastFind
If you’re learning an instrument and want to understand what’s going on behind all the notes then a must-have in your library is Alfred’s Essentials of Music Theory. It’s a complete walkthrough of everything you need to know when learning how to read and write music. The book is made up of 75 lessons that teach you all the fundamentals of music theory as well as having hundreds of questions for you to answer on each topic as you work through it. Not only that but it also includes training CDs so you can test and train your ear to recognize what’s going on too. With all the answers included and at a very reasonable price, it really is an essential book for any student or teacher of music theory.
This product was recommended by Lyle Florez from EasyPeopleSearch
It’s a great theory textbook commonly found on university music course reading lists. It’s a very thorough guide to all things theory, covering the fundamentals and more complex harmony and form. It includes a workbook as well as an anthology of examples for reference. It uses examples from the classical tradition to be appropriate for someone looking for help with pop or jazz theory, but it will be very useful.
This product was recommended by Lyle Florez from EasyPeopleSearch
Mark Levine’s Jazz Theory Book is an absolute must-have if you’re studying jazz in any capacity. It’s a library of information that jazz legends Jamey Aebersold and Dave Liebman recommend for every jazz student’s arsenal. It’s an easy-to-understand and completely comprehensive look at everything you need to know about jazz harmony, and it’s probably on the required reading list for every university jazz course.