New to scales and theory. looking for a book

centrefold · #1 02-17-2011, 02:48 PM

hey guys, first post here but I have been reading for about 3 months.

I'm a average player with a good 5 years of playing but just recently decided (rightfully so) it was a good idea to start learning theory and scales. I was wondering what a good book was that would be able to help me learn some new stuff. I play in a band but find that this will keep me from going stale.

Any help, insight or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Jordan

bassalo · #2 02-19-2011, 07:33 AM

Welcome to TB. I bought this book when I started and found it to be very useful with developing my foundation of theory knowledge. Especially helpful because it's written for the bass. You'll be covered with all the basics up to some intermediate stuff.

Essential Music Theory for the Electric Bass:

http://www.melbay.com/product.asp?productid=20304

fearceol · #3 02-19-2011, 09:03 AM

I know you asked for books, but this site is great for all things to do with the bass, including theory, and it's free.

www.studybass.com

JTE · #4 02-19-2011, 11:28 AM

The best music theory book I've found in over 30 years is "Edley's Music Theory For Practical People". I love it because:

A. You don't have to read music for it to be useful, though he makes a very good case for learning the language of music.
B. He doesn't assume that you play piano.
C. He doesn't limit music to either western classical nor jazz. He includes examples from all kinds of music.
D. He includes bass clef and ideas for people who play bass instruments.
E. He uses the right graphics to explain and help you see the ideas. The first time I looked at the book I saw things exactly like I used to draw out by hand for students in the '80s, except these are legible!

F. He puts things into easy language without dumbing it down.
G. He has it laid out in a logical manner that helps you learn the utility of things because he builds on it right away, and so it makes sense.

http://www.edly.com/mtfpp.html

John

SurferJoe46 · #5 02-19-2011, 11:55 PM

I like Bass Grimoire -

.................it just made an instant 'click' to me and I really get a lot out of it.

primesuspect · #6 02-20-2011, 12:03 AM

A great move.

I learned bass in middle school and high school concert and jazz band. I ostensibly learned theory and how to read music, but I never paid much attention—just enough to get by. I was good enough by ear that my jazz band teacher asked me to gig with his wedding band a couple of times, so I always passed.

I regret not paying more attention now. I'm 15 years out of high school and have forgotten everything. I'm still technically skilled and can still funk it up, but I completely lack theory.

I'm following this thread closely. Time to learn it right this time around

bassalo · #7 02-20-2011, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fearceol

I know you asked for books, but this site is great for all things to do with the bass, including theory, and it's free.

www.studybass.com

+1000

DeclanG · #8 02-20-2011, 04:05 PM

Ive been playing 15 years and only recently started learning scales. I have the Registry of Guitar Tutors bass grade books which are very useful for scales etc but there is a sea of info online also so like the previous posters i think that would probably be the best route. The videos help alot also as you can see everything being played instead of just on paper.

**lowendfriend** · #9 02-20-2011, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fearceol

I know you asked for books, but this site is great for all things to do with the bass, including theory, and it's free.

www.studybass.com

Let me add another 1000 plusses....

Andrew Pouska has done a superb site that gets you moving in the right direction for basic theory. And God bless him it's free....loads of great tools, like metronome, chord fingerings for every string number of basses, staff paper printer, examples, exercises, lessons. The most thorough primer for bass, IMHO. It really helped me get started.

andante123 · #10 02-28-2011, 09:45 AM

Hi Jordan,
There's a great music theory book that's recently come onto the market - it's a new approach to teaching theory: "All-In-One to Grade 5 music theory" by Rachel Billings (aaronpublications). It's received great reviews in the professional magazines (Rhinegold MT and EPTA in January 2011) and much more about the new approach can be read on their website at www.aaronpublications.co.uk (more than I can explain here). Basically I've tried the book myself and it's so easy to understand and also fun.I think you'll find particularly the section about scales/circle of fifths etc. helpful. The book covers everything you need to know from Grade 1 to 5 music theory and one distincitve feature (among others) is the drawings which are not merely decorative but often explain the concepts better than words can. I've taken my Grade 5 music theory exam and passed with distinction! Check out their website and best of luck with your studies.

Andy

JTE · #11 02-28-2011, 10:42 AM

The Billings book seems very child-like. Might be good for someone under the age of 12 or so, but there's a lot that's distracting rather than informative based on the sample pages.

John

andante123 · #12 03-19-2011, 12:28 PM

Completely disagree that it's possibly "childish". Anyone who's used All-In-One to Grade 5 (as opposed to just seeing the sample pages, as JTE has done) will know how useful it is and I'm in my late 30's! Also EPTA (European Piano Teachers Association) say the book is "written in a clear and inviting manner which should appeal to all ages other than the very young" ( see Music Theory Reviews | Music Theory Book Reviews | All-in-one To Grade 5). Rhinegold also emphasize that it's suitable for all ages [ quote] ..."The book is always clear, with concise language so that pupils of any age should be able to work through it with minimum dependence on the teacher." That's one of the things I like about the book- it's clear and concise. There is no unnecessary waffle and the drawings, although humorous at times, serve to help students understand a particular concept (e.g. the men beaming the tails together - two notes in simple time; three in compund time. Also I like the close up picture of the sharp on the stave, showing exactly where it should be placed. There is a sign near the sharp's tip saying "Be careful, sharp!". And there is a picture of a man trying to squash a "flat" into a small space between the staves. Whenever the topic "Transposition" occurs there is a picture of a person (or persons) moving notes (which helps us to understand transposition is about 'moving a series of notes, everyone in the same direction' e.g. Transposition in the Alto clef, Transposition in the Bass clef etc. etc.). There are many other examples e.g. "Intervals" - about the distance between notes, showing a man jumping. Chord Inversions shows an acrobat rearranging/balancing balls and this is a proper/realistic drawing as well- not a mere cartoon. I think all these humorous drawings help students to remember the info and can easily be understood by students of any age, without being patronising for older students.