Geoffrey Taucer Posted May 30, 2007 Share Posted May 30, 2007 I'm looking to expand my knowledge of music theory. I'm completely self-taught, and have a fairly good understanding of the basic concepts, but I'd like to delve into the more complex stuff. I know enough that you could tell me to play a song in a particular key and I could do it. I know basic chord structure; I can recognize a basic major or minor triad, and a very little beyond that. But I'm looking to get some more solid knowledge of the more complex elements. Any reccomendations? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanthos Posted May 30, 2007 Share Posted May 30, 2007 I recommend this. It's the theory book my school uses. I'm guessing you probably want to learn about more chords and voicings mainly, as well as get an idea of what sounds good and what doesn't for melody. In addition to what you already know, this book will also cover the various 7th chords, modulation, basic 4-part voice writing (even if you don't need 4 voices, you can extrapolate a lot about fitting a melody over chords as well) and a bit about forms (binary, ternary, rounded binary, sonata allegro form, I think). It's still useful for a non-classical musician. There's also a volume 2 that covers a lot more stuff, including an introduction to counterpoint (2-part voice writing), a lot more advanced chords which are most useful in classical or jazz but can be used elsewhere if you know what you're doing, and a lot of history of classical music (i.e. what theory and harmony styles and techniques were used in each era). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
po! Posted May 30, 2007 Share Posted May 30, 2007 The Jazz Theory Book by Mark Levine http://www.amazon.com/Jazz-Theory-Book-Mark-Levine/dp/1883217040/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-8710198-7153507?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1180554357&sr=1-1 it's not basic or classical theory, but it's a great book for jazz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJT Posted May 30, 2007 Share Posted May 30, 2007 The Jazz Theory Book by Mark Levinehttp://www.amazon.com/Jazz-Theory-Book-Mark-Levine/dp/1883217040/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-8710198-7153507?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1180554357&sr=1-1 it's not basic or classical theory, but it's a great book for jazz seconded. seriously. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BardicKnowledge Posted June 15, 2007 Share Posted June 15, 2007 I'd highly suggest (assuming that you are proficient at reading and writing sheet music, which will help you a ton) looking at a counterpoint book of some kind -- I realize that it won't be as much fun as some others, but it gives you a grasp on a whole lot of things that can be applied elsewhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannthr Posted June 19, 2007 Share Posted June 19, 2007 PREPAAARR YOURSELF FOR DA MAASSTAH OF DISASSTAH! Arnold Schoenberg: Theory of Harmony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexis Posted June 21, 2007 Share Posted June 21, 2007 It's hard to read, but it's very thorough The Complete Musician Steven Laitz You can get a workbook and CDs but most of the recordings aren't very good. The book, however is an excellent reference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zephyr Posted June 21, 2007 Share Posted June 21, 2007 I'm going through RCM (royal conservatory of music) in piano and I'm learning a ton of stuff from the theory courses. Maybe you could find a teacher and go through those courses. Those courses are worth something too, (if you take the exam...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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