looking for a good theory book.

huckingfuskie · #1 09-12-2008, 08:48 PM

title says it all. i want to learn music theory. im taking lessons but i would also like to do my own personal research and compare the various things i learn.

So, any recomendations?

Truktek2 · #2 09-23-2008, 05:39 PM

I guess it depends how much experience you have, but if you are just starting out with theory like I am (I've always played by ear), I can recommend two books I came across. "The Idiots guide to music theory" explains theory in a RELATIVELY easy manner, and assumes you have no prior knowledge. Also "Music Theory for Dummies" is suppossed to be pretty good too, but some online reviews say it has quite a few mistakes.(not that I would know yet!)

JimK · #3 09-23-2008, 06:33 PM

Mark Levine's Jazz Theory.

**Pacman** · #4 09-23-2008, 08:21 PM

This fits better under General Instruction - moved.

DocBop · #5 09-23-2008, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimK

Mark Levine's Jazz Theory.

+10

Excellent book

Arizona Jones · #6 09-23-2008, 10:58 PM

Read the reviews for more info -

http://www.amazon.com/Edlys-Music-Th...2228626&sr=8-7

JTE · #7 09-24-2008, 10:38 AM

Another recommedation for Edley's (the one in Arizona Jone's link). I love it because:

A. It doesn't assume you know piano
B. You don't HAVE to read music to make sense of it (but it will help you improve your reading)
C. It's well written and uses examples from lots of genres, including folk, jazz, rock, classical, gospel, etc.

When I taught years ago I used to make diagrams of how to build scales, harmonize them, etc. This book has diagrams just like mine, except more readable and legible!!

Here's a link to Edley's website...
http://www.edly.com/mtfpp.html
jte

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #8 09-24-2008, 07:45 PM

The Levine book is great, but it's not the best for bassists just getting into theory. The book is filled with short examples to emphasize what Levine is talking about, which is fantastic, but it requires you to be able to read some treble clef and play a bit of piano (either that or have a massive jazz album collection

).

#9 09-24-2008, 07:47 PM

Berklee press stuyding contemperary electric bass. its just great

funkybass · #10 09-24-2008, 10:44 PM

I like EADG4, and hal leonards music theroy for bassist( can't remember the actual name)

magickbass · #11 09-24-2008, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkybass

I like EADG4, and hal leonards music theroy for bassist( can't remember the actual name)

+1

Spot on! And the actual name of that book is Essential Music Theory for Electric Bass.

bassplayertom77 · #12 09-24-2008, 10:58 PM

"The Improvisor's Bass Method" by Chuck Sher. Published in 1979. It makes my brain hurt.

EADG mx · #13 09-25-2008, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTE

Another recommedation for Edley's (the one in Arizona Jone's link). I love it because:

A. It doesn't assume you know piano
B. You don't HAVE to read music to make sense of it (but it will help you improve your reading)
C. It's well written and uses examples from lots of genres, including folk, jazz, rock, classical, gospel, etc.

When I taught years ago I used to make diagrams of how to build scales, harmonize them, etc. This book has diagrams just like mine, except more readable and legible!!

Here's a link to Edley's website...
http://www.edly.com/mtfpp.html
jte

If you're learning theory, you should learn a little piano and definitely learn how to read as soon as you can.

As for theory books I tend to avoid anything that's instrument-specific - not saying that they're all worthless but they have a tendency to cut corners and skip critical theoretical concepts.

Why not start with something standardized like RCM?

kangia · #14 09-25-2008, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EADG mx

If you're learning theory, you should learn a little piano and definitely learn how to read as soon as you can.

As for theory books I tend to avoid anything that's instrument-specific - not saying that they're all worthless but they have a tendency to cut corners and skip critical theoretical concepts.

Why not start with something standardized like RCM?

I agree. Piano helps a lot. I know that in every Music academy (at least where I live), if you want to study some instrument, like guitar or drums, you need to know a piano too.

About the theory. Theory is theory. It's not important to search Bass guitar theory book (even if it is specialized). The importance here is to learn to read and write music. When you do that, it's app liable to any instrument.

About Essential Music Theory for Electric Bass. TalkBAss did say something about it. Here's the link to article.

Yep. It's a good one.

Bass Guitar Place

JTE · #15 09-25-2008, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EADG mx

If you're learning theory, you should learn a little piano and definitely learn how to read as soon as you can.

I agree whole-heartedly. But my experience is that a lot of people don't get to that point because they pick up a typical theory book and see a keyboard layout first thing.

I also don't like instrument-specific theory books as that's really sort of self-defeating. The real deal with music theory is that it's MUSIC, not bass, not gutiar, etc. Too often we get caught up in our instrument, without considering the whole ensemble. The bass note helps define the chord, but guitarist often miss that. So, if the guitard plays C, E, and G but I'm hammering A and E, it's probably going to sound like Amin7 instead of C major. And what's the singer (or the sax, the steel player, harmonica, etc.) doing to the harmony?

jte