Many people grimace at the sound of music theory. It can conjure up bad memories of grade school music classes, rattle the brains of college students, and make self-taught musicians feel self-defeated. Music Theory may seem tedious and unnecessary, especially since not many people can read music.
This friendly guide not only explores these concepts, it provides examples of music to compliment them so you can hear how they sound firsthand. With a bonus CD that demonstrates these ideas with musical excerpts on guitar and piano, this hands-on resource will prove to you that music theory is as enjoyable as it is useful. Don’t get discouraged by the seemingly complicated written structure. With Music Theory for Dummies, understanding music has never been easier!
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review
For the Music Theory Impaired, October 2, 2008
By
Rodrick Randall (Houston, Tx. USA)
From a person who has always had a love for music, but a limited understanding of how it works, this book was very informative. As a beginner of the piano and acoustic guitar, this book has equipped me with some of the fundamentals of scales, chords, music composition, music reading, as well as helping me with sight reading.
For beginners, this book is a good start to truly learning music and applying it to playing music.
Music Theory for Dummies, September 8, 2008
By
Andres Maldonado (Florida)
This book is well done. It has al the information neded to read and understand music. It is easy to read and it is not boring.
Music Theory For Dummies, March 27, 2008
By
Harpy "Sandy" (WI)
It was easy read, and it gets to the meat of what is necessary to learn about music theory.
A good introduction and a solid foundation, February 25, 2008
By
Patrick SchillingBeing an obsessive music listener, music theory is something I have always thought I should know more about, but it's a subject I have never seriously approached before reading this book. The author does a good job of gently leading you through the door, and also introduces more challenging ideas in a readable style. The chapters on building chords and chord progressions gave a nice glimpse into the construction of even quite complex music, something that had previously seemed impenetrable. The examples used were well chosen, and were written without any condescension. As a way to ground the more abstract ideas, I especially appreciated the commentary by modern composers and musicians. Recommended for anyone wanting a good introduction and a solid foundation from which to build.
Patchy discussion of music theory, November 30, 2007
By
Michael Willers (Northampton, Massachusetts)
The first few chapters of this book -- on notes, scales, rests, etc. -- are done well -- though it would be hard to do them poorly, since they are such basic topics. Once the book gets to intervals, chords and beyond, it all falls apart. The text is confusing and incomplete. I took a year of music theory, and play classical guitar. I bought this book as a review of music theory, but it is unsatisfactory even in that role. The later chapters serve to confuse, not illuminate, the topic.
