Just wanting to share info with you... "The Everything Reading Music Book" by Marc Schonbrun is excellent...The author is a graduate of the Crane School of music... This is a step-by-step introduction to understanding music notation and theory...285 pages sells for $19.99 with a CD...Sandy Boletchek

Thanks for the info, Sandy. I definitely need help in that area. I've been avoiding it for a long time; maybe, I'll look into this book to see if it's understandable. For some reason, whenever I try to learn theory, I can only get so far, and then I become lost. I think it's because music is based on math (to a large degree), and math has never been a strong suit for me.

Thanks again,
Kathleen

Now why did you have to go and say that!! As if it wasn't bad enough already!!!

Just kidding, but I really do hate math.

Just checked it out on amazon, I think I might pick this one up. I have read a couple of these "Everything" books and they are usually quite good.

Thanks for letting us know about this.

Hi Folks,

My friend made me aware of this cool site and a thread about my book! Thanks for the already kind words.
In any case, I'd love to hang around and answer any questions about the book, or theory on the whole.

As for the math part: I feel you. As a recovering dyslexic who has major issues with math, music has simply never been a "math" thing to me -- I associate tones with numbers/scale degrees, but they are just placeholders, I can just as easily use do, re and mi.

There is a book that comes after "Reading Music" that deals with Theory on a more holistic level "Everything Music Theory". It's basically "Reading Music II"...

Cheers all!

Ok, I just ordered it- if I have questions, I know where to go!

Great -- happy to help in any way I can.

I don't always browse the web, so you can always just email me for a more direct answer!

Marc

There was an opening quote that I have always loved in an ancient (1970s) book about computer music composition:

Mathematics is music for the mind;
Music is mathematics for the soul.

Cheers,
Steve

Wonderful Marc that you dropped in on us today. Please drop in often to visit with us. I will certainly buy your theory book. I love your Everything Reading Music. I recommended this to my fellow and lady members,as,it is one of my favorite reference books in my music library. Respectfully, Sandy B

Hi Steve,

That's a really great quote.

Sandy,

Thanks for the kind words and the warm welcome. I will drop in from time to time, and feel free to alert me to questions that relate to the books. So many good forums, so little time!

I bought the Everything Theory book last weekend and started it this week. The "tone" is gentle and friendly and I'm enjoying it very much. So far I've done the exercises in my head and am trying to keep the book pristine so as to keep it as a reference.

Hi Formerly Flute,

The answers to the "Etudes" are posted on my website.
I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying it!

Hi Marc

This book looks interesting. Could you by any chance ask the publisher to put up a sample on Amazon?

I always like to read samples before purchasing.

thanks.

EDIT: Actually at second glance, I am actually interested in the Music Theory book rather than reading music one.

Hi,

I've asked, but apparently it costs a fortune to do so, and they have simply never gone for it.
Can you tell me what you'd like to know more about and maybe I can fill you in?

Hi Marc

Just wanted a sample to get a feel of how it is written. I went to the bookshop yesterday but they didn't stock it.

Choppin' -------- Try your local libraries. Mine had a copy but I actually bought it first at Barnes and Noble at a great price but your library might have one.

Most B&N and Borders have them in stock (I admit to looking whenever I'm in a new city on tour... .

It's hard to give you any more than that... As for tone -- It's conversational and as friendly as can be.

M

I am a 50yo adult beginner, just started piano lessons 3 months ago. I want to seriously follow the piano lesson syllabus, not just learning my favourite songs.

Can one learn to play the piano well without taking theory lessons? I don't know whether I can find "The Everything Reading Music Book" over here in Singapore. Can I learn theory on my own?

You can do anything on your own, and many do. I think the general feeling is that a teacher will greatly speed up the process. They will simply steer you in the right direction and help you achieve your goals faster.
I do think you can learn Theory on your own, but a little guidance (even from here) will no doubt help.


M