Would you suggest to read a 'Music Composition' book or 'Music Theory' book?

Well I was about to buy a Music Theory book yesterday, and then a Music Composition book got my attention. I skimmed over it and it looks like it goes into some theory but also building parts of songs and different ways to acheive cohesiveness basically when constructing a song.

I don't know hardly anything about Theory, so basically everything would be new to me. I have been writing stuff as a hobby for about 8 years, sometimes just phrases and other times many songs. My songs aren't where they want to be. So I'm turning to books.

2 things: I notice I'm using the same scales a lot to make songs and don't know what it is. So they sound fairly simple in melody. (theory needs to come in here) AND I notice that my transitions from verse to chorus and other parts of songs aren't as good as when I listen to pop songs or any genre. (compostion comes in here)

Would you recommend reading a Music Composition or Theory book? Or which one should I start with? The Compostions book looks more friendly as it seems to have more talk about why you should construct certain parts in certain ways in songs. The Theory books seem to give a lot of info. constantly, which would probably be overwhelming, I would think. Unless there was Exercises like a workbook for me to practice what I read.

Also, does anyone know of any good books for these areas. I saw some of those 'Complete Idiots Guide' for these topics and I also saw a MI, or Musicians Institute Theory book, but it looked like it goes at a quicker pace.

There's no reason why you shouldn't read both.

Songwriting and theory are two different "specialties", if you will. Which one you should focus on depends on where you want to go. Based on you post, it looks like you want to become a better songwriter, so spend more of your effort on that, while learning some theory along the way.

The craft of songwriting does not require a deep knowledge of theory, but knowing it never hurts.

A

don't read because you think you should or 'it would be good for me'. read the most direct and interesting one. there's going to be a hell of a lot of subject overlap between the books.

luck

I was thinking I would miss out of some deeper theory if I just read the Composition book, but I see your point.

But yeah, you guys feel me since I definitely want to become a better composer. And for the record, there are books that differentiate between 'Compostion' and 'Songwriting'. Not sure how much they do, but it seems as though the Songwriting books will say something like: " here what you should look for when making lyrics" or " it's most appealing to listeners if you do this...". I'm sure there are other things like theory and composition, but Songwriting books seem to cover some stuff I'm not interested in. I have my own ideas already, I don't need guidance on that.

But the Compostion book I skimmed, looked great, showing off different ways to end a chorus and what each way makes the listener feel; really good stuff.

So, I only thought I should start with an all Theory book because a lot of times people will to start with the basics to build on. I want to know theory but don't want to be overwhelmed especially if there aren't practice cds.

There's a really good songwriting book that's available online for free. The guy that wrote it is an unbelievable songwriter. It's on the "songwriting" page of his website.

Where was that at again....hmm....

Oh yeah! Here it is.

A

Thanks I book-marked that site.

Does anyone think that it's not a good idea to read two books at the same time like this? Well, actually I'm reading a Production book right now and would like to start reading either a Composition or Theory book also. So there wouldn't be overlap right now.

Just can't decide to go with Theory or Composition first.

i like to read four or five at once, with the TV on, and music blasitng, with some talk raido in the background to balance it. I've found that this helps me focus while I'm mixing down tracks... :D

Really though, read them both. One at a time, one after the other, hell jst read em. Twice. It can't HURT you.. But if you don't... well you might miss something. There is almost always at least one thing to be gained from a persons writting. Everyobody has at least ONE god idea, and its likley to be found in a book they wrote.

Originally posted by Aaron Cheney There's a really good songwriting book that's available online for free. The guy that wrote it is an unbelievable songwriter. It's on the "songwriting" page of his website. Where was that at again....hmm.... Oh yeah! Here it is. A

I just read the whole thing, and I think it'll be very useful in writing better songs. It was very well explained and fun to read, so well done with that

Thanks for putting it online for free

Here is a better way to look at things. Theory is the fundation on which composition is based.

Example:

Higher math is based on basic math facts. You cannot do algebra without having a understanding of the basic math tables.(2+2, 5-1, 4x3 etc)

You may need to read some theory to understand what the compositon book is trying to explain. Does this mean you cannot write without theory? No. It is possible to learn a process without know why you do it or why it works. That is what you would be doing. It will eventually hamper your creativity, but not until you run the table on the simple skills. In order to get more complex, you will have become more complex.

I would recommend reading everything you can get your hands on. It doesn't matter whether it is theory, composition, arranging, harmony, harmonics etc. Actually harmonics can really help. Which harmonics sound and why in which cords? You could then write a melody that is based on the upper harmonics of the chord progression, but is not actually from notes in the chords. It produces a great sound.

The bottom line is the more you know, the more you grow. Take it in steps and enjoy the journey. Don't try to do it all in a day because is cannot be done. That is why they use the word maturity with artistry. You cannot rush maturity, it comes with knowledge, experience, and age.