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Advanced Theory Book Recommendations

T

tri33

Sep 20, 2011
103
0
Wisconsin
#1
I am hoping I could receive some recommendations for higher level theory books. I searched this forum and came upon one thread that was helpfull(http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f22/books-more-advanced-harmony-771885/). But the author of the thread was specifically asking about books on harmony. Which definately interests me I just don't want recommendations solely on that topic.

I already own Kostka/Payne's Tonal Harmony and a few other begginner theory books. I am just looking for something a little more advanced, that can be applied to the Jazz sorta' stuff that im currently playing.

I am looking for something that I'll be able to use to improve my improvisation, harmony, composition, etc.

It is just that the book that I have seen that give this sort of wide scope of topics are for beginners. I already know about how chords are constructed, intervals, chord qualities, etc. So I am looking for a book that leaves the basics out.

The few works that seem to keep coming up and some which are found in the other thread are:

The Jazz Theory Book - Mark Levine (What exactly does this cover?)

Chromatic Approach to Jazz Harmony - Dave Liebman

Vincent Persichetti's 20th Century Harmony

Jazzology: The Encyclopedia of Jazz Theory for All Musicians (This sounds like it might deal with more of the lower level theory.)

Study of Counterpoint: From Johann Joseph Fux's Gradus Ad Parnassum

Any help would be great, there is just a large amount of material out there, I just don't know what's good and what's not, and where to start.
 
#2
All of those would be good books to study, however, most are specific.

For pure theory as used by all instruments I would suggest a visit to your public library or if you have a University in your area a theory text book dealing with theory 301.

Our public library was able to give me three books on music theory, it's been so long ago I have no idea of their titles, the one on harmonizing a melody was a WOW for me.

This one http://books.google.com/books/about/Exercises_in_melody_writing.html?id=HV4QAAAAYAAJ on melody is also one I found helpful.

Good luck.
 
#3
The most comprehensive book on that list is Levine's. It's OUTSTANDING, and covers just about everything you'd need to know as a modern musician. No, it doesn't cover traditional classical theory, but everything it does cover is relevant to a bass player.
 
#5
tri33 said:
I am hoping I could receive some recommendations for higher level theory books. I searched this forum and came upon one thread that was helpfull(http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f22/books-more-advanced-harmony-771885/). But the author of the thread was specifically asking about books on harmony. Which definately interests me I just don't want recommendations solely on that topic.

I already own Kostka/Payne's Tonal Harmony and a few other begginner theory books. I am just looking for something a little more advanced, that can be applied to the Jazz sorta' stuff that im currently playing.

I am looking for something that I'll be able to use to improve my improvisation, harmony, composition, etc.

It is just that the book that I have seen that give this sort of wide scope of topics are for beginners. I already know about how chords are constructed, intervals, chord qualities, etc. So I am looking for a book that leaves the basics out.

The few works that seem to keep coming up and some which are found in the other thread are:

The Jazz Theory Book - Mark Levine (What exactly does this cover?)

Chromatic Approach to Jazz Harmony - Dave Liebman

Vincent Persichetti's 20th Century Harmony

Jazzology: The Encyclopedia of Jazz Theory for All Musicians (This sounds like it might deal with more of the lower level theory.)

Study of Counterpoint: From Johann Joseph Fux's Gradus Ad Parnassum

Any help would be great, there is just a large amount of material out there, I just don't know what's good and what's not, and where to start.
Click to expand...

I like the schoenberg harmony book-his writings are generally very readable.
I also like "20th century harmony" by Vincent Persichetti
Anton Webern held lectures which are very good reads as well as very informative.
There is a three book set by Hindemith also, which is very good.The original german titles are:
"Unterweisung in Tonsatz"
"Übungsbuch für den zweistimmigen satz"
"Übungsbuch für den dreistimmigen satz"
"Gradus ad Parnassum" by Johann Joseph Fux is great too.
Old but very enlightening IMHO.
 
#6
MalcolmAmos said:
All of those would be good books to study, however, most are specific.

For pure theory as used by all instruments I would suggest a visit to your public library or if you have a University in your area a theory text book dealing with theory 301.

Our public library was able to give me three books on music theory, it's been so long ago I have no idea of their titles, the one on harmonizing a melody was a WOW for me.

This one http://books.google.com/books/about/Exercises_in_melody_writing.html?id=HV4QAAAAYAAJ on melody is also one I found helpful.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

First of all, thanks for the recommendations everyone.

Secondly, Malcolm what do you mean by Theory 301?
 
#7
Sounds like Mark Levine's book is the sort of thing you're looking for. It will basically teach you how everything you've learned in Kostka/Payne applies to jazz. It tends to be very "play X scale over Y chords" in its approach, which, even on TB generates a lot of differing opinions, but even if that's not your preferred approach, there's lots of good stuff in that book.
I don't know the Liebman, could be good too.
Persichetti and Fux are really fabulous books, as are the Schoenberg and Hindemith books, but I seriously doubt that they're what you're looking for.

Edit: One more thing. I would avoid upper-level theory courses at the university level, as they tend to deal with concepts related to classical music of the last century, moving far away from the common-practice harmonic style of the classical era (i.e., the things you learn when you begin studying the fundamentals of music theory). Most jazz and popular music is more closely related to "classical" music of the baroque and classical eras than to "classical" music of the past century. That's why it makes sense for you to now branch off into jazz theory. Otherwise you'll start getting into alternative methods of organizing musical parameters, which is fascinating stuff, but probably not something that will have a direct influence on your playing.
 
#10
SeaBassTheFish said:
Sounds like Mark Levine's book is the sort of thing you're looking for. It will basically teach you how everything you've learned in Kostka/Payne applies to jazz. It tends to be very "play X scale over Y chords" in its approach, which, even on TB generates a lot of differing opinions, but even if that's not your preferred approach, there's lots of good stuff in that book.
I don't know the Liebman, could be good too.
Persichetti and Fux are really fabulous books, as are the Schoenberg and Hindemith books, but I seriously doubt that they're what you're looking for.

Edit: One more thing. I would avoid upper-level theory courses at the university level, as they tend to deal with concepts related to classical music of the last century, moving far away from the common-practice harmonic style of the classical era (i.e., the things you learn when you begin studying the fundamentals of music theory). Most jazz and popular music is more closely related to "classical" music of the baroque and classical eras than to "classical" music of the past century. That's why it makes sense for you to now branch off into jazz theory. Otherwise you'll start getting into alternative methods of organizing musical parameters, which is fascinating stuff, but probably not something that will have a direct influence on your playing.
Click to expand...

Thank you Mr. Sea Bass for your detailed reply, it was very helpful.

So far I am leaning toward Levine's work. But I was wondering why you state that the are most likely not what I am looking for? They just don't cover what I was hoping for?

Thanks again for the suggestions.
 

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