Music Theory For Dummies

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 360 pages
• Published by: For Dummies April 2, 2007
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0764578383
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0764578380
• Book Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Weighs: 1.2 pounds

Reader Reviews
If you are interested in learning Music Theory, and you can already read Music from a Lead Sheet (or better), and you also know how to deal with both 1 /4 and 1/8 notes -- look elsewhere. Save yourself time, effort & money by clicking on the Amazon "Search" Box above and entering Books (then) Music Theory. Among those available from Amazon, I bought, have used, and highly recommend: : "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory" by Michael Miller; or (for a slimmer & lighter touch) "Edley's Music Theory for Practical People" by Ed Roseman. Miller's Book is also cheaper, and either one will take you many miles farther on your Musical Theory journey. Release of this Book "Music Theory For Dummies" was delayed several months (at least on Amazon), and IMHO (and my case) I wish its 336? Pages hadn't made it at all. Why? If you can use a Lead Sheet you won't even need to touch pages 1-104. Also, if you know how to read/use a Key Signature you can keep skipping to Page 147 where you will be introduced to -- Major and Minor Scales in 13 Pages (and listening to sixty of them from the CD's 93 Tracks). Chapter 13 (pg. 160) starts "Building Chords" (Triads and Sevenths) using 32 Pages with lots of white space on them (for both Piano and Guitar), including blank Page 192. The Book has lots of white space. In truth, the educational aspects start to improve markedly (for this Book) beginning on Page 193 (Chapter 14: Chord Progressions) and goes for another 53 Pages. Then it falls off a Cliff. Two "highlights" of the final seventy pages for me included 1. Appendix B (37 Pages): the oversized, graphic "Chord Chart" in one continuous "Stream" for 13 of 14 Keys showing both Piano and Guitar "sets" separately (I already own better ones for Piano though); and 2. (next "best") was an 8 page detailed Table of the contents for all 93 CD Tracks, but .... I did not use the Index. I continue to (periodically) study in Miller's Book, and wonder if I'll ever be through with it. It also contains "Lessons", "Exercises" to test you, and a CD. I really hope you will be as lucky to find Music materials that will make you feel similarly. Making Music is different from Playing it, IMO, so finding the right "Teachers" to learn that -- are worth the effort. Comment (1) | | (Report this)