Music theory is an essential component of being a musician. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, understanding the fundamentals of music theory can help you improve your skills and enhance your creativity. Fortunately, there are many music theory books available that can help you learn the basics and take your skills to the next level. In this article, we’ll explore some of the top music theory books that every musician should read.
“Music Theory for Dummies” by Michael Pilhofer and Holly Day
“Music Theory for Dummies” is a great place to start if you’re new to music theory. The book covers everything from the basics of music notation and key signatures to more advanced topics like chord progressions and harmonic analysis. The book is written in an easy-to-understand language and is full of examples and exercises to help you master the concepts.
“The AB Guide to Music Theory” by Eric Taylor
“The AB Guide to Music Theory” is a comprehensive guide to music theory that covers all the essential topics. The book is divided into chapters, each of which focuses on a specific aspect of music theory. The book is well-organized, and the concepts are presented in a logical order, making it easy to follow. It’s a great resource for students preparing for music theory exams like ABRSM or Trinity.
“The Musician’s Guide to Theory and Analysis” by Jane Piper Clendinning and Elizabeth West Marvin
“The Musician’s Guide to Theory and Analysis” is a comprehensive textbook that covers all aspects of music theory, from the basics of notation to advanced concepts like atonal music and set theory. The book is designed for college-level music theory courses, but it’s also a great resource for independent study. The book is written in a clear and concise language, and the authors provide many examples and exercises to help readers master the concepts.
“The Jazz Theory Book” by Mark Levine
“The Jazz Theory Book” is a must-read for any musician interested in jazz music. The book covers all the essential topics, including chord progressions, scales, and modes, and the author provides many examples and exercises to help readers master the concepts. The book is written in a conversational style, making it easy to understand, and it’s a great resource for jazz players at any level.
Hyacinth, CC BY-SA 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
via Wikimedia Commons
“Harmony and Theory: A Comprehensive Source for All Musicians” by Keith Wyatt, Carl Schroeder, and Chas. Dennis
“Harmony and Theory” is a comprehensive guide to music theory that covers all the essential topics, including scales, chords, and progressions. The book is written in an easy-to-understand language, and the authors provide many examples and exercises to help readers master the concepts. The book also includes a CD with audio examples, making it easy to hear the concepts in action.
“Music Theory: The Fundamental Concepts of Tonal Music” by Richard Kostelanetz
“Music Theory” is a comprehensive guide to tonal music theory that covers all the essential topics, including harmony, counterpoint, and form. The book is well-written and easy to understand, and the author provides many examples and exercises to help readers master the concepts. The book is also designed to be used as a textbook, making it a great resource for music theory courses.
“Music Theory in Practice” by Eric Taylor
“Music Theory in Practice” is a series of workbooks that cover all the essential topics of music theory. The workbooks are designed to be used in conjunction with the “AB Guide to Music Theory” and are an excellent resource for students preparing for music theory exams. The workbooks are well-organized and contain many examples and exercises to help readers master music theory.