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Title: Practical Theory Complete: A Self-Instruction Music Theory Course by Sandy Feldstein ISBN: 0-88284-225-0 Publisher: Alfred Publishing Company Pub. Date: June, 1982 Format: Spiral-bound List Price(USD): $10.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.08 (12 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: "Practical Theory Complete" minus some
Comment: This book serves as an excellent introduction to very basic but important concepts in music theory and gives a small introduction for composition. Being spiral bound and with each lesson being in a worksheet format, I have used this book with my private lesson students (junior high school and high school students) with much success. All the material is easy enough to be self taught or does well in reinforcing review material.
With such a good review, why only 4 stars you ask? If you are looking for a book to learn the details of basic music theory and all the extra tidbits (i.e. why duple time is preferred for particular compositions; what is duple time; what would compound time be good for?) then this will leave you displeased. Consider what you are trying to get out of the book before purchasing this one. This book would come no where close to an academic level theory class. I would recommend :: Steinke - Basic Materials in Music Theory :: for a thorough examination of basic music theory if that is your intended goal.
Rating: 3
Summary: A Good Beginning--but not the Final Word
Comment: As a music educator with over 30 years of experience and who has taught well over five thousand persons the joys of making their own music, I am still having some of my students purchase this small (and inadequate) workbook, but only after having studied all the basics using a book I'll mention in a moment. In other words, if you are starting out, do NOT purchase this book. I have been so discouraged with the current music theory "workbooks" which claim to be "easy" but NEVER explain anything. This book is unorganized, certainly not comprehensive in chord content (and that's important). But, this book does offers a certain value for the average keyboard student who needs a review. I know the reader is now asking, "well, what IS the best book to purchase?" Currently, there is only ONE "non-aligned" (that is, written to be used independently from method books like Bastien or Thompson) theory workbook---but it is dated. I would advise the reader to purchase the "John Brimhall Theory Workbook (Complete)". It's published by Hansen House. This workbook is certainly the best organized I've seen (although it STILL does not explain much, it simple "tells" the reader the facts (so do all the other workbooks). It also---like every other theory book I've used---come with errors: such as having all major chords abbreviated using a capitol "M" after the chord---which has not been used since the 1850s. Also, most music theory workbooks never reveal the "mystery" of what is a "double sharp" or "double flat" (neither does Feldstein OR Brimhall). I have been working on producing a new comprehensive music theory workbook, but don't look for it until 2006. Lastly, a bit of advice: all authors of music theory books "assume" that the reader understands "something" about playing the keyboard. After teaching beginners of all ages for many years, that assumption is false. My best advice? Purchase the Brimhall for basics and then---find a GOOD teacher (and that means not going to the neighbor down the street who gives lessons so they can have some extra money!). Ask questions; find someone who takes time to explain; remember, this is supposed to be more fun than "root canal" (with apologies to my dentist!).
Rating: 3
Summary: Simple Book
Comment: This is a good book, but not a GREAT book. I have used this whole book inside and out myself and for many of my private students. The wire bound, medium-thin book is easily carried back and fro to lessons and opens easily with the wire bound, but I am not impressed enough from it.
It does jump around a bit in the very beginning with straight information written out. However, it is not the easiest way to follow what they are explaning. For example, they tell you the key signatures, but they don't tell you WHY they are in that key or don't give any hints or suggestions on how to remember them. I find that, no matter what age, having a rhyme, quote, or reminder on how to remember the order of keys/sharps/flats is important and keeps the students much more interested in the fact that they must learn theory to advance in music!
And to really understand and feel accomplished you need to know WHY 0 sharps is C-Major, 1 sharp G-Major, 2 sharps D-Major, etc.
Also, we did find at least one typo in this book, that a number of my students found this typo even before I pointed it out ot them!
But if you are looking for simplest books that are handy and you do not have to study and review every night before reteaching it thoroughly, then get this book.
I have tried many theory books and this is still one of them that I use, depending on the student, their level, and their way of interpreting or taking in forms of teaching methods (some enjoy lots of details written in like "Idiots Guide to Theory."
Also, this is one of the very reasonably priced books, while I have gotten text books that can be over $50 for a used version.
Best of Luck, fellow Musicians!
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Title: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory by Michael Miller ISBN: 0028643771 Publisher: Alpha Books Pub. Date: 11 June, 2002 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
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Title: Music Theory Made Easy by David Harp ISBN: 0918321999 Publisher: Musical Idiot Press Pub. Date: 20 September, 1999 List Price(USD): $5.95 |
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Title: Harmony and Theory : A Comprehensive Source for All Musicians by Keith Wyatt and Carl Schroeder ISBN: 0793579910 Publisher: Hal Leonard Pub. Date: 01 April, 1998 List Price(USD): $17.95 |
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Title: Basic Music Theory: How to Read, Write, and Understand Written Music by Jonathan Harnum ISBN: 097075129X Publisher: Questions, Ink Pub. Date: 15 June, 2001 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: All About Chords: A Comprehensive Approach to Understanding Contemporary Chordal Structures and Progressions Through Solid Drills in Suggested Study by Elvo S. D'Amante ISBN: 0962094102 Publisher: Encore Music Pub Co Pub. Date: September, 1988 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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