Are there any good Music Theory books out there? I already have some knowledge of some beginning topics but I want something to go more in depth. I've already gone through all of the topics on this website. http://www.musictheory.net/

I'm a fan of the Keith Snell series of books, and each of the nine levels has a theory book to go along with it. In the books I've seen the theory books analyze one or more pieces in the repertoire books at the same level, so you can learn a piece and also learn about it.

Welcome to the forums, Bob! What kind of music are you learning?

Nancy

I actually just started keyboard. I was hoping to learn lots of different types of music, from classical to Billy Joel.I just wanted to get a grip on some real music theory. I got the three books, in the Alfreds All in One Course: Technic, Theory and lessons. I don't think those books will give me a thorough knowledge of theory though. I did order this book though, http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Guide-Music-Theory/dp/0028643771 I still don;t think that book will have all I'm looking for.

Check this site out:

http://cnx.org/lenses/tecsuzuki/TECMusicTheory

Probably not as comprehensive as a textbook, but the information is pretty detailed and contains plenty of exercises. I found it useful.

Here's a couple that I really like that I never see mentioned around here:

- Harmony and Composition (Basics to Intermediate) - Deborah Jamini
- Contemporary Music Theory (Levels 1, 2, and 3) - Mark Harrison

- Contemporary Music Theory (Levels 1, 2, and 3) - Mark Harrison
It is good!

You might start with "The Basis of Music" by Frederick J Horwood. It's a total beginner's level book, first published in 1944. I think I paid $2 in the 70's; amazon.ca lists it now for $10.

It says it's for pop and jazz though, I've planned on understanding classical too.

Some of the topics are the same that you would find in a classical theory book. There's also a lot that you would never find in a classical theory book, which is why I like them! If you combined Mark Harrison's books with a classical oriented theory book, like Harmony and Composition, you'd have a much more complete understanding of theory. The best of both worlds so to speak.

I just finished the Complete Idiots Guide to Music Theory, I knew most of what was in there. What should be my next book? Contemporary Music Theory (Levels 1, 2, and 3)or should I skip level 1? I looked at the table of contents, the topics look to be the same as the book I just read, unless they go into more detail. The book Harmony and Composition doesn't seem to cover a whole lot more either.

This may be off topic but, how do people analyzes music by people? What do they do, try and find out what technique are seeing employed in that specific bar of music?

I second the suggestion of "The Basis of Music" by Frederick J. Horwood. Cheap, concise. I am presently taking a night school theory course with this as the text.

That book covers things that I already know. I nee something more advanced.

berklee press got some good stuff check out berkleepress.com, i just got done with berklee music theory 1 and 2, helps with your rhythm alot...

This is good for starters...surprisingly informative...dispite the classy title...you too can become a complete idiot well versed in basic music theory...in fact, you'd be a complete idiot not to get it...

JF

Those books cover nothing that I don't know, I need something more advanced.

What you need is a book on harmony. Something like this. I'd suggest going to your local music store so you can look through the books in a little more detail than you can online.

In fact, the Sarnecki in the link is the one that was recommended by one of the PW teachers. I purchased it, and am quite happy with it.

None of the stores around me have the book, would you say I'd be alright just ordering it online?

I found the following online yesterday and thought it looked interesting.
http://www.ibreathemusic.com/cat/3

Bob -

Here are a couple of other options. Ok, it's actually almost half a dozen other options.

Free approach (these books are in the public domain but you might find them interesting. You can find free versions through www.archive.org . You can also buy edited PDF or book versions of the later four of these books through www.alexanderpublishing.com )

Percy Goetschius wrote a very thorough series of books starting with melody writing and working up through the various common forms of music. The series doesn't cover orchestration. The books in approximate order are:
Exercises in Melody-Writing
The Theory and Practice of Tone-Relations (Harmony 1)
The Material of Musical Composition (Harmony 2)
Exercises in Elementary Counterpoint
The Homophonic Forms of Musical Composition (Musical forms 1)
Couterpoint Applied (Forms 2)
The Larger FOrms of Musical Composition (Forms 3)

Another option is to look for one of the college textbooks on Harmony:
Tonal Harmony by Kostka & Payne

Walter Piston's series:
Harmony
Counterpoint
Orchestration

Ottman's series:
Elementary Harmony
Advanced Hamony
(he may have written other books, I'm not sure)

Third option (which you've already looked into):
Mark Harrison's books Contemporary Music Theory 1, 2, & 3 & The Pop Piano Book. The first part of The Pop Piano Book reviews the information in Contemporary Music Theory 1 & 2. The second part breaks down some common musical styles for various types of popular music. Harrison's uses slightly different names for things than the standard convention, so I would still recommend reading through his first music theory book to make sure you are understanding all his terms.

Speaking of that, just about all of these have some level of review.

Fourth option:
Mark Levine's Jazz books
Jazz Theory
The Jazz Piano Book

Fifth Option:
Look into some of the books available from www.alexanderpublishing.com . This might be interesting if you are interested in working up to orchestration.
The Instant Composer (based on Fux's counterpoint work)
Applied Professional Harmony 101
Applied Professional Harmony 102
Professional Orchestration 1 & 2A & 2B. (This is supposed to go up to part 8, we will see if Peter Alexander ever makes it there.)

Hopefully this will give you some additional ideas.

Rich

Ok, so here are the books I've been considering.
http://www.amazon.com/Harmony-Fifth-Walt...6776&sr=8-7

http://www.amazon.com/Harmony-Voice-Leading-Edward-Aldwell/dp/0495189758/ref=dp_ob_title_bk

http://www.amazon.com/Harmony-Voice-Lead...6808&sr=8-1

Price is not a problem (though I'd like to get the cheapest one if possible), I just need to know which one I'm best off going with.

Hi Bob,

The second and third books look like they are two different editions of the same book.

Here's a site with comments on how best to read & use Aldwell & Schachter:
http://www.sfcmtheory.com/essays/harmony/readingtext.htm

The first book is Walter Piston's Harmony textbook.

Here is a review of Tonal Harmony by Kostka & Payne:
http://www.classical.net/music/books/reviews/0073401358a.php
I think this book is much easier to read, but it is lacking in examples and especially exercises. I have an online copy through coursesmart.com for about $40, but I am definitely missing the workbook. Here's the link to this book on coursemart:
http://www.coursesmart.com/007728531X

All of these cover very similar material. I've found that I need different explanations when trying to learn this on my own and a LOT of examples and exercises.

FYI: Based on the books you are currently looking into, I would say that Mark Harrison's books would be a totally different direction. His books do not cover harmony from an academic standpoint, but are more to allow a keyboardist to comp in a band or possibly to help someone in a band write songs based on common chord progressions. I do not have copies of Mark's books, but I have checked them out of the local libraries.

Rich