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This is Your Brain on Music: Understanding a Human Obsession

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Musical Theory and Composition
by: Daniel J. Levitin

May 01, 2008
I got this book as a birthday present and my first thoughts were: am I going to understand any of this? Isn't it just going to take away from the joy of listening if I know the reasons why I respond in certain ways - like revealing how a magic trick is done?

The answers to these questions came fast. Yes, I could understand all of it. Having little to no knowledge of science or biology, a lifelong obsession with playing guitar but with little theoretical knowledge, I assumed large parts of this book would go straight over my head. Not true. I haven't read a non-fiction book that was such a page-turner and constantly revelatory in I don't know how long. Daniel Levitin's down-to-earth, chatty prose belies the wealth of information ... Read More:

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Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Musical Theory and Composition
by: Oliver Sacks

October 03, 2008
It has taken me nearly six weeks to wade through only the first third of this marathon of almost 400 pages. And the reason? I can only take Sacks' writing style, which is almost Victorian in nature, in small doses. Each time I pick up the book again, I wonder if the marker has been misplaced, since similar anecdotal stories seem to make up the entire literary content. It is a bit like reading later Aldous Huxley; a rambling series of musings, arbitrarily subdivided by chapter headings. In describing the interactions between music and "the brain", Sacks does not provide anything which is not already known, and often experienced, by many people and I am left wondering what is the point of this book. It could certainly have been written in half its current ... Read More:

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Music Theory for Dummies

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Musical Theory and Composition
by: Holly Day & Michael Pilhofer

March 30, 2007
This is an impressive book making a normally dry subject amusing and entertaining. It is fun to read and understand, explaining everything for the beginner and going into real detail for the more experienced.
The only word of criticism is that it is American and as a result doesn't consider that terminology such as semibreve, crotchet, quaver, semi-quaver even exist. Minim is mentioned but the others are not. Having said that the terms note, half-note, quarter-note etc. are more easily understood - however a little addendum would have helped even if in part of the history section.
It also comes with a CD that has a fantastic array of examples and concepts to listen to.
I have yet to work my way through the more complex parts of the book but I'm ... Read More:

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How to Write Songs on Guitar: A Guitar Playing and Song Writing Course

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Musical Theory and Composition
by: Rikky Rooksby

August 24, 2000
This book has it all as songwriting goes.

Chords sequences, song structures, harmony, how to write lyrics, famous songwriter quotes on their insipations and more.

There are also frequent examples of songs, we know and grew up with, that refer to the issues being tackled in the various sections.
The book even has a suggested album listening list for various styles of music for inspiration and eye-opening.

And finally something that I haven't seen mentioned before is the extremely high producion quality of the book. This is probably the nicest looking and highest quality print publishing I own now for musicianship, and my musicbooks produce quite an impressive stack if piled up.

Beutiful and jam packed full ... Read More:

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First Steps in Music Theory: Grades 1 to 5

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Musical Theory and Composition
by: Eric Taylor

July 15, 1999
This little book is a brilliant guide for the beginner in music theory, or for the student who just needs to brush up on basic knowledge. It is suitable for children and adults and explains such matters as rhythm, key signatures, time signatures and virtually all the details of basic music theory in a straightforward and easy-to-understand way.
There are very few really "easy" guides around on music theory, but this must be one of the best.

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The AB Guide to Music Theory Vol 1

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Musical Theory and Composition
by: Eric Taylor

January 01, 1989
This book explains music theory so clearly that even a complete beginner like me can grasp it easily and quickly. He does not overwhelm you with too much at once, just one tiny simple step built upon another. This is one of the hallmarks of a good teacher, that he can put himself in the shoes of a total novice and 'forget' everything that he knows so well that it is second nature and see it once again through the eyes of a newcomer to the subject.

I've been struggling with the Idiot's Guide To Music theory and found it really hard going. You are given too much too quickly and it's brain clanging. I'm glad I only got it from the library and did not actually buy it. As for this book it was bought from Waterstones and worth every penny.

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Music Theory in Practice: Grade 2

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Musical Theory and Composition
by: Eric Taylor

May 01, 2008
I agree. The lack of model answers means that these books are really only useful to those studying with a qualified tutor as there is no real way of knowing you are anwering correctly otherwise, especially when progressing onto the Grade 4 and 5 and above level.

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Understanding Chord Progressions for Guitar

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Musical Theory and Composition
by: Arnie Berle

December 31, 1995
I've been playing guitar for a couple of years now, but I'm really a keyboardist, so I knew something about music before picking this book up. I found it a fantastic introduction to music writing. Be aware, if you are the sort of person who wants to imitate their favourite rock stars or just play famous tunes, this may not be the book for you. If you want to be a music writer, and want to learn your craft rather than playing other people's music like a drone, then this is for you.

It rewards creative thinking. If you are not a creative person and simply like to imitate rather than innovate, then pass it by. If you have a love of music and want to explore, then this is for you.

It tells you about chord progressions, some popular ones as well ... Read More:

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How Equal Temperament Ruined Harmony: And Why You Should Care

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Musical Theory and Composition
by: RW Duffin

October 31, 2008
Never judge a book by its cover, they say, and it must be even more true that you should never judge a book by its title. As soon as I saw the title of this book, however, I knew I would have to make an exception in this case and read it.

Ross Duffin has written an engaging, densely argued and robust demolition of the commonly held idea that equal temperament triumphed in the time of Bach's Well Tempered Clavier and has been the one true tuning ever since. Drawing his evidence from documentary, instrumental and, for the 20th Century, recorded performances, Mr Duffin shows that the equal temperament (of 12 equally-spaced semitones to the octave) only became any form of standard much later than generally imagined, and is in many cases still more honoured in the breach ... Read More:

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Music Theory in Practice: Grade 5: Grade 5

Childrens Toy Shop > Books > Musical Theory and Composition
by: Eric Taylor

May 29, 2008
This is the only book you will ever need if you wish to study for your grade 4 theory exam, or simply to discover a hidden world of how music is put together and the reasons behind all those rules. Every essential detail for grade 4 is covered here, including awkward time signatures such as 9/16 and 12/16, the introduction of the alto clef, a brief overview on ornaments, keys up to five sharps and flats, breves, intervals, the chromatic scale, double sharps and flats... there is enough in this book to keep the serious theory student immersed for hours at a time, and the simplistic layout ensures that the student can easily study from this book. There are appropriate amounts of exercises for you to practice newly learned skills, and, as ever, a handy list of all the new concepts which ... Read More: