We've ranked the best music theory books using expert recommendations, sales data, and millions of reader ratings. At Shortform, we know books. Our book guides are the best in the world. Learn why.
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Steve Jurvetson recommended this book on the podcast "The Tim Ferriss Show". [source]
Author, Marketer, Entrepreneur
In the last week, I discovered that at least two of my smart friends hadn't read Godel, Escher, Bach. They have now. You should too. [source]
More recently books like Godel, Escher, Bach and Sapiens have influenced my thinking a lot. [source]
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Co-Founder/Sun Microsystem
Fascinating though older book. [source]
Goes into the evolutionary thinking behind why music does what it does. [source]
Recommended by Aniela Gregorek and Justin Boreta.
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Silence is one of the great music books. Purely on a literary level, there’s something about Cage’s style which is tremendously unique. [source]
Silence is one of the great music books. Purely on a literary level, there’s something about Cage’s style which is tremendously unique. [source]
John Cage is one of the composers most associated with minimalism. He’s a kind of pioneer, not just in music, but also for the arts, and for philosophy as well. In the 1940s and 1950s, he had already cultivated an interest in Zen philosophy. He experimented with these forms of emptiness in art that were very radical at the time. [source]
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30Accent on Achievement is a revolutionary, best-selling band method that will excite and stimulate your students through full-color pages and the most complete collection of classics and world music in any band method. The comprehensive review cycle in books 1 & 2 will ensure that students remember what they learn and progress quickly. Also included are rhythm and rest exercises, chorales, scale exercises, and 11 full band arrangements among the first two books. Book 3 includes progressive technical, rhythmic studies and chorales in all 12 major and minor keys. Also included are lip slur exercises for increasing brass instrument range and flexibility. Accent on Achievement meets and exceeds the USA National Standards for music education, grades five through eight. This title is available in SmartMusic.
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39(Educational Piano Library). 120 color-coded cards to learn basic musical symbols, all notes from low ledger C to high ledger C, and rhythm patterns in 4/4 and 3/4. This is one of the essential musical games to learn music theory in a playful way. Also includes music cards that focus on recognition of steps and skips on the staff. International cards are also included (crotchet, semibreve, minim etc.)
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51Molly Gebrian offers a practical guide, using accessible language for non-scientists and non-academics, to help musicians get more out of their practicing by applying discoveries from the fields of cognitive psychology and neuroscience. Gebrian starts with general principles of learning and how the brain works, and then progresses through increasingly specific topics. Throughout the book, the science behind the various topics is accompanied by practical, actionable advice that can be implemented immediately, to give musicians of all levels better tools while practicing and greater confidence on stage.
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71Unlock the secrets of guitar music theory with "Music Theory for Guitarists: The Complete Method Book" by James Shipway. This comprehensive guide combines Volumes 1, 2, and 3 of the acclaimed "Music Theory for Guitarists" series into one essential edition!Whether you're a music theory beginner or aiming to reach pro-level, this method book provides clear, step-by-step lessons in music theory for guitar so that you can enhance your guitar playing and musical understanding.What You’ll Learn:Volume 1: Grasp guitar theory basics with lessons on the major scale, triads, basic intervals, major and minor keys, pentatonic scales, chord progressions and moreVolume 2: Advance your skills with in-depth lessons on the fretboard, chord inversions, compound intervals, seventh chords, the Circle of Fifths, modes of the major scale and moreVolume 3: Achieve near pro-level expertise with the CAGED system, extended chords, improvisation with modes, harmonic minor scale, key change techniques, and much more.Features:Over 100 downloadable audio lessons, demonstrations, backing tracks, and practice drillsEasy-to-follow, jargon-free explanations - no prior music theory knowledge necessaryEasy-to-read chord diagrams, fretboard diagrams and guitar tabPractical examples and exercises to reinforce learningQuizzes and assignments to test your understandingNo music reading skills necessary!Why This Guitar Theory Book?James Shipway, a seasoned guitarist and teacher, brings his extensive experience to help you navigate the complexities of music theory. His straightforward, practical approach makes learning accessible and enjoyable for guitarists at any level.
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76Alfred's Basic Prep Course, Lesson Book A is specifically designed for beginners who are five years old and up. Through the use of appealing music and attractive illustrations, it is no wonder that Lesson Book A is the most widely used young beginner's piano book now available. This course takes into consideration the normal attention span, as well as the small-sized hands of the young beginner. Shortly after beginning, the young student will be able to play Merrily We Roll Along." The complete Prep Course consists of six books (Levels A through F). This course is most effective when used under the direction of a piano teacher or experienced musician."
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82To teach piano basics, the Bastiens have created a new, rich course designed specifically for adult beginners. Bastien Piano for Adults is a welcome addition to the best-selling collection of Bastien methods and supplementary materials. Lessons, theory, technic, and sight reading are combined in one easy-to-use book. The series is gradually paced to ensure student confidence and success. The variety of music, custom selected for adults, includes famous classic themes, folk songs, spirituals, ragtime, blues, boogie, jazz, and Bastien originals that teach the basics in a straightforward, yet innovative manner.
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98Free Play is directed toward people in any field who want to contact, honor, and strengthen their own creative powers. It integrates material from a wide variety of sources among the arts, sciences, and spiritual traditions of humanity. Filled with unusual quotes, amusing and illuminating anecdotes, and original metaphors, it reveals how inspiration arises within us, how that inspiration may be blocked, derailed or obscured by certain unavoidable facts of life, and how finally it can be liberated - how we can be liberated - to speak or sing, write or paint, dance or play, with our own authentic voice.
The whole enterprise of improvisation in life and art, of recovering free play and awakening creativity, is about being true to ourselves and our visions. It brings us into direct, active contact with boundless creative energies that we may not even know we had.
