Best Theroy book

beelzelboss · #1 12-20-2008, 01:38 PM

I've been playing for a few years, and want to konw what is the best Theory book, not so much playing styles, but just how to learn theory (sheet music) and scales, arpeggios, and all of that kind of stuff.. I am willing to a get a few!

Thanks

~craig

JTE · #2 12-20-2008, 02:37 PM

"Edly's Music Theory for Practical People" http://www.edly.com/

I like it because he doesn't assume you know how to read notation, nor that you know the keyboard. He also uses examples from pop, rock, jazz, folk, and world musics instead of just classical. Best, his diagrams are exactly like what I used to write out by hand decades ago when I was teaching regularly.

jte

Blake Bass · #3 12-20-2008, 03:11 PM

The Jazz Theory Book by Mark Levine is excellent. There is enough material in the book to keep you busy the rest of your life.

DocBop · #4 12-20-2008, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blake Bass

The Jazz Theory Book by Mark Levine is excellent. There is enough material in the book to keep you busy the rest of your life.

+1 Great book, but if a theory noob might want to start with a simpler book.

**Stumbo** · #5 12-20-2008, 11:46 PM

looking for "the bass guitar bible!" Looking for the Bass "Bible"

Jake of Bass · #6 12-20-2008, 11:48 PM

Has anyone here got the Bass Grimoire? I've got the guitar version and it's very comprehensive. Any comments on the bass version?

TheShreddingE · #7 12-20-2008, 11:51 PM

Well I'm not sure how relevant it is, but Slap it is buy far, the best i have tried. It is fun easy, and you can make some great music

QuelOround · #8 12-21-2008, 12:24 AM

I have the Bass Grimoire.... It has every scale in ever mode and all that stuff, but it doesn't go into too much detail about actual music theory.

Rudreax · #9 12-21-2008, 12:39 AM

Yeah, it's more like a giant chord chart compressed into a book, and with chords replaced with scales. It's pretty useful if you want to learn a new scale, though.

HaVIC5 · #10 12-21-2008, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake of Bass

Has anyone here got the Bass Grimoire? I've got the guitar version and it's very comprehensive. Any comments on the bass version?

Reading any book in the "Grimoire" series and expecting to become an expert in music theory is like reading the dictionary and expecting to become an expert in literature.

Jake of Bass · #11 12-21-2008, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HaVIC5

Reading any book in the "Grimoire" series and expecting to become an expert in music theory is like reading the dictionary and expecting to become an expert in literature.

Cool, thanks for your help guys.

DocBop · #12 12-21-2008, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake of Bass

Has anyone here got the Bass Grimoire? I've got the guitar version and it's very comprehensive. Any comments on the bass version?

It's an interesting reference, but I wouldn't call it a instructional book. I mainly use it as source of new ideas. Scan thru it for a scale to experiment with.

Jake of Bass · #13 12-21-2008, 06:48 AM

I got the Guitar Grimoire as a birthday pressie a few months ago and it's very much as you describe so I thought the bass version would be similar, but confirmation is good to have. Sounds interesting, might look into getting it after Christmas and NYE when I don't have cash tied up...

Bluesy Soul · #14 12-21-2008, 07:02 AM

I remain a fan of Elementary Harmony by Robert W. Ottman. It does help to be able to read notation at an elementary level to use the book; but, for those who don't, the book covers basic notation in the first chapter. For players who don't read music notation and want to learn theory, plan on learning some basic notation if you are going to use a book. I believe Ottman will still be valuable to you, but you will spend more time--though you will learn a lot--in the first chapter.

Like most long-standing books on music theory, Elementary Harmony is geared toward classical music; but it's done using the simplest possible examples, so the elements are understandable even if you don't plan to analyze many Bach chorales.

The real strength of this book, IMO, is it's completeness. It was a music theory textbook for me in both high school and college and now, decades later, it is my go-to reference work on music theory when I have a new question (heaven knows I've never forgotten anything over the years

).

I haven't used the newer editions which have accompanying workbooks and CDs available; but both those items should make the text significantly more accessible by itself (i.e., outside the classroom). New copies can be expensive, but if you search the 'net, there are discount outlets and high-quality used copies available at significant savings.

Bluesy Soul

mambo4 · #15 12-21-2008, 11:55 AM

The theory book I devoured in college was a dowbnloadable text file I found in an FTP search...now posted in web freindly HTML:

Marc Sabatella's Jazz Improvisation Primer

no notation or keyboard diagrams... just plain English explanations of Modes, scales, chord progressions, as well as Jazz specific stuff like history and suggested listening of various styles (swing/bop/cool/fusion etc)

between that and my Pops being Jazz Guitard, I never looked elsewhere for theory info.

I had the Bass grimoire at one point, it is not a useful theory reference.

BuffaloBass · #16 12-23-2008, 09:12 AM

My former teacher ( world renown) recommended Theory and Harmony by Wyatt and Schroeder. He's the guy from Peanuts, yes?

beelzelboss · #17 12-27-2008, 06:12 PM

thanks. so i think i'm going to get the one by ottman. that looks like it will cover... everything. Now i have one more question, what do you think is the best book for like technique, strengthening, and and like all of that stuff. any ideas?

Thanks

DocBop · #18 12-27-2008, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuffaloBass

My former teacher ( world renown) recommended Theory and Harmony by Wyatt and Schroeder. He's the guy from Peanuts, yes?

I wish Carl Schroeder wrote more books. His composition class was great and he's a great improv teacher.

bass_dna · #19 06-11-2011, 06:09 PM

i have always though that maby geting just a musical theory book like perhaps the idiots guide to music theory pretty much takes u through every part of theory and compliment tht with a bass cords ,arpeggios and scales book that u can use as a refferance as u play in a band at rehearsals the book i use is mel bay,s deluxe bass chords, arpeggios and scales this helps me to come up with ideas as im no theory guiness

but definatly try the first book i suggested to learn the langauge and the second to revise

hope this helps