Members trebleheinz Posted August 18, 2009 Members Share Posted August 18, 2009 Well, I've been playing for about 8 years now, and I feel that I'm at a point where not knowing music theory is holding me back. Or looking at it another way, I think learning theory could help me in some ways when writing songs. I've tried to learn theory a couple times, but I easily grew frustrated and gave up. It does not come easy to me, but I am prepared to really learn it this time. So, I was wondering if there was a particularly good method/book for dummies like me that you all could recommend? I feel like something that's like a textbook, that maybe has quizzes/problems or something to force you learn the material before moving onto a new topic, if that makes sense. Something that helps you chart your progress. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members kingswebe Posted August 18, 2009 Members Share Posted August 18, 2009 I recommend Mike Hoffman's book "Serious Guitar". Here's his website: http://www.seriousguitar.com/ He does have "quizzes" and practicing-type homework per chapter. For me, this book answered all my questions about keys and modes, and goes a long way toward providing guidance in how to "choose correct notes" from scales when soloing, vs. playing a scale blindly. He even provides recommended books for those wanting to develop their phrasing further after they understand how scales and keys work and interrelate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members girevik Posted August 18, 2009 Members Share Posted August 18, 2009 I still like Mike Dodge's site for theory lessons. No pretty pics or anything - just the info you need: http://lessons.mikedodge.com/ Start with the Intervals lesson, then the Chord Construction lesson. In that order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members trebleheinz Posted August 19, 2009 Author Members Share Posted August 19, 2009 Awesome, thanks. I'll check both of those out. Any other books/websites that have "homework"? I feel like that's the best way for me to learn it- approach it like a class. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Tealightcandles Posted August 19, 2009 Members Share Posted August 19, 2009 Mark Levine's jazz theory book is biblical, the Berklee method books will get your reading and theory going. There are any number of other great books out there.What style of music are you focused on? What sort of background (musically) do you have? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members The Burninator Posted August 19, 2009 Members Share Posted August 19, 2009 Here's something about intervals:http://www.ibreathemusic.com/article/31 and something about triads:http://www.ibreathemusic.com/article/56 these ones are very well explained, and as far as I remember have 'homework'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members nuclear arsenal Posted August 19, 2009 Members Share Posted August 19, 2009 if you know basic theory on the piano, you know advanced theory on the guitar.i learned how to play the piano first, and it makes a whole lot more sense when it's laid out on a keyboard. scales, modes, chord construction is all VERY intuitive.from there, all you have to do is learn the note names on the guitar and apply what you've learned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members girevik Posted August 19, 2009 Members Share Posted August 19, 2009 Awesome, thanks. I'll check both of those out.Any other books/websites that have "homework"? I feel like that's the best way for me to learn it- approach it like a class. You said you write songs, so you could use your own songs as homework. Theory is not needed to write songs, but it is useful for analyzing songs after they have been written. So for each of your own songs try this: 1. Identify the tonal center of the song - in other words, what key is it in? 2. If your song has chords, identify which chords are the I, IV and V chords. So if your song is in A major, the I chord would be A major, and the IV chord would be D major. 3. If your song has a melody, identify the key of the melody, and identify the interval between each note of the melody. Bonus assignment: Identify the duration of each note, using a metronome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members meganutt7 Posted August 19, 2009 Members Share Posted August 19, 2009 This is something that to me is not up for discussion. THE BEST heory book in existence for all genres of music is: The Jazz Theory Book by Mark Levine (Sher Publishing) BEST THEORY BOOK WHICH ADDRESSES EVERYTHING THERE IS TO ADDRESS!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jasco Posted August 19, 2009 Members Share Posted August 19, 2009 This is something that to me is not up for discussion. THE BEST heory book in existence for all genres of music is:The Jazz Theory Book by Mark Levine (Sher Publishing)BEST THEORY BOOK WHICH ADDRESSES EVERYTHING THERE IS TO ADDRESS!! While I agree with you and tealightcandles on this, I might add that for a beginner level student that book might be a little deep, in my opinion. It's possible that some of the more shallow-end-of-the-pool books that might not scare off beginners as much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Ed Jalowiecki Posted August 20, 2009 Members Share Posted August 20, 2009 I don't think I learned theory from any particular book - In fact, I think I learned more from various guitar teachers I've had in the past. The advantage of learning from a good teacher is that they can regulate how much new information you receive at a time and make sure you can integrate and apply it before learning more. My experience with books has always been a tendency to rush through to the next concept. I've learned to slow myself down over the years to really assimilate the material, but a good teacher who knows you can help to pace yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GreenAsJade Posted August 20, 2009 Members Share Posted August 20, 2009 So this is wierd. I seached google for sites in australia matching "the jazz theory book". Second in the list was this promising looking link. Check out the suggestions that accompany this book.... http://au.shopping.com/xPO-Media-SDC-The-Jazz-Theory-Book GaJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JimSF76 Posted August 20, 2009 Members Share Posted August 20, 2009 I still like Mike Dodge's site for theory lessons. No pretty pics or anything - just the info you need: http://lessons.mikedodge.com/ Start with the Intervals lesson, then the Chord Construction lesson. In that order. Great site, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jonPhillips Posted August 20, 2009 Members Share Posted August 20, 2009 Check out the suggestions that accompany this book....http://au.shopping.com/xPO-Media-SDC-The-Jazz-Theory-BookGaJ LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GreenAsJade Posted August 20, 2009 Members Share Posted August 20, 2009 I realised later that they must be useing that new-fangled psychic divination to determine what books to offer based on what is in the mind of the person looking at the page So what did _you_ see GaJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jonPhillips Posted August 20, 2009 Members Share Posted August 20, 2009 Books about WW2 squad level combat... LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members GreenAsJade Posted August 20, 2009 Members Share Posted August 20, 2009 Really!? Me too!! Spooky! (My other time wasting hobby after music ) GaJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members meganutt7 Posted August 20, 2009 Members Share Posted August 20, 2009 I dunno, Jasco.. I think that the Jazz Theory Book is pretty good about really explaining things on a level any relatively intelligetn human being can understand... It starts with intervals, scales and chords just like any other book.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 1001gear Posted August 20, 2009 Members Share Posted August 20, 2009 if you know basic theory on the piano, you know advanced theory on the guitar.i learned how to play the piano first, and it makes a whole lot more sense when it's laid out on a keyboard. scales, modes, chord construction is all VERY intuitive.from there, all you have to do is learn the note names on the guitar and apply what you've learned. I've said this a couple times. It's a point lost on guys ten, twenny years into guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members girevik Posted August 20, 2009 Members Share Posted August 20, 2009 I think learning theory could help me in some ways when writing songs. One more book recommendation, for doing homework: You will need sheet music paper to use the book. It introduces you to the basics of composing. Yes, you already write songs (ie. compose), but each lesson in the book introduces a little more theory which you are then asked to use in a composing assignment(homework) for that lesson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bigboy_78 Posted August 20, 2009 Members Share Posted August 20, 2009 So this is wierd. I seached google for sites in australia matching "the jazz theory book". Second in the list was this promising looking link. Check out the suggestions that accompany this book.... http://au.shopping.com/xPO-Media-SDC-The-Jazz-Theory-Book GaJ Well once you master Jazz who knows what doors will open for you.... On topic, buy a Casio keyboard and learn your theory on a piano. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Ed Jalowiecki Posted August 21, 2009 Members Share Posted August 21, 2009 So this is wierd. I seached google for sites in australia matching "the jazz theory book". Second in the list was this promising looking link. Check out the suggestions that accompany this book....http://au.shopping.com/xPO-Media-SDC-The-Jazz-Theory-BookGaJ I changed my mind. The best theory book is: "Sin's Apprentice" Hands down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sarricola_Sauce Posted August 21, 2009 Members Share Posted August 21, 2009 There aren't many shortcuts..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ispytunes Posted September 2, 2009 Members Share Posted September 2, 2009 [YOUTUBE][/YOUTUBE] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members wader2k Posted September 3, 2009 Members Share Posted September 3, 2009 So this is wierd. I seached google for sites in australia matching "the jazz theory book". Second in the list was this promising looking link. Check out the suggestions that accompany this book....http://au.shopping.com/xPO-Media-SDC-The-Jazz-Theory-BookGaJ The Peanut Butter one worries me..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.