Music theory books??
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Plainsong
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I think if you're thirsty for more, a college level music theory class you could audit, taught by a great professor, would really bring it all together. Maybe there's some open university or summer courses open to the public that might be available. It's worth checking out, since theory books are so dry, a good teacher can bring it together and make it enjoyable.
OldePhart
Well-known member
I have gone through all of the UU+ music theory classes and still want to learn more!!so are there any good books on music theory that you all would suggest? Thanks for your help!
One of the best books I've ever read for the intermediate player who has learned basic tritone (chord) theory is "scales over chords" (I don't recall the author but I remember the cover of the book, a beautiful red translucent flame Strat on a white cover). It's primarily a guitar book but since it's mostly theory the information presented applies to anything even if the specific examples are guitar-centric. I wish I could find it (I have the feeling I lent it and never got it back) because I think I would get even more from it now than I did when I used it years ago.
John
The Jazz Theory Book by Mark Levine: http://www.amazon.com/Jazz-Theory-B...=1342399104&sr=8-1&keywords=music+theory+jazz is excellent. It helps if you have access to a keyboard as you go through it - you can use just about any keyboard. It's not geared to ukulele or any particular instrument - I used it to try to become a better saxophone player. It's not boring or dry. Even if you are not into jazz don't be put off by the title. Theory is theory. Jazz theory is applicable to all popular music.
mangorockfish
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Have you looked at Music Theory For Dummies? It's pretty good. I've been reading on it for awhile.
Arr4fun
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The Complete Idiots Guide to Music Theory is also good.
nix
Well-known member
I have to second what Plainsong said. If you can find a college course nearby it is well worth it. I took music theory 100 at a local community college and it really opened things up for me. The ear training and learning how to "hear" a time signature helped me a lot. I also had a teacher who didn't laugh at questions like "what's the point of cut time?!?". The textbook was a whopping $100 but it is a good one and I still refer back to it sometimes.
Disclaimer: I'm a librarian at a community college. My college is too small to have music theory so I took it at a different community college but I wanted to let you know my bias.
Nix
Disclaimer: I'm a librarian at a community college. My college is too small to have music theory so I took it at a different community college but I wanted to let you know my bias.
Nix
OP
OP
bombbuddy
Well-known member
The music theory for dummies book was the first thing i thought of when I started looking for a music theory book. But before I got it I wanted to ask to see if there was anything bettor or more recommended then that book.
I will defiantly go and look around and see if the community college by me has a music theory class.
and thank you all so much for the help!
BlueInGreenUkulele
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The Jazz Theory Book by Mark Levine. It covers just about every topic of jazz music theory. You can download through Amazon.
missameeames
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SIL teaches music theory at the college, and she recommended the Idiots book to me. She liked it better than the dummies book.
carolani
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Found it on Amazon. It's by Wilbur Savidge.
Plainsong
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I was thinking about taking an open university theory refresher course myself, but of course, they're not offering it this year! They also had this nifty music and cultures course at the same place. Do you think it's offered this year? Of course not, frakking Sibelius Academy.
If I remember correctly (and I may not), the book we used back in the day was Harmony and Voice Leading.
If I remember correctly (and I may not), the book we used back in the day was Harmony and Voice Leading.
JamieFromOntario
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Was Harmony and Voice Leading the one by Aldwell and Schacter?
joeybug
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I echo Plainsong's advice about a course. But I also recommend Music Theory For Dummies, Ukulele For Dummies (it covers some music theory linked to the Ukulele) and Ukulele Fretboard Roadmaps, all three of which I have worked through (as well as the UU+ course) and found most helpful!
There is also a group here in the group section for working through Fretboard Roadmaps.
Hope that helps!
There is also a group here in the group section for working through Fretboard Roadmaps.
Hope that helps!
Plainsong
Well-known member
It's been a very very long time, but I think it was. Not the most interesting of reads, but Dr. Hughes was awesome.
Shastastan
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pulelehua
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Sounds like someone needs to write a ukulele-specific theory primer................................
Doc_J
Well-known member
MIT has Music Theory in their OpenCourseware... and it is free!
http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/#music-and-theater-arts
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