The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory

Front Cover
Penguin, 2005 - Music - 314 pages
5 Reviews
A music theory book that hits the high note Â…

This updated and expanded edition of The Complete IdiotÂ's Guide® to Music Theory breaks down a difficult subject in a simple way—even for those who think they have no rhythm or consider themselves tone deaf. With clear, concise language, it explains everything from bass-clef basics to confusing codas. This new edition includes:
-A brand-new CD
-A comprehensive ear-training section
-Musical examples of intervals, scales, chords, and rhythms
-Aural exercises so readers can test their ear training and transcription skills

 

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LibraryThing Review

User Review  - Canadian_Down_Under - LibraryThing

Nice book for those who know nothing about music theory and a great refresher for those of us who have forgotten most of what we learned during those dreaded music lessons when we were kids. I used this to brush up on my theory before I tackled the book on music composition. Read full review

LibraryThing Review

User Review  - elenchus - LibraryThing

I wanted a book that assumed I knew nothing, but in doing so also assumed I could understand (and am interested to know) any nuance or complication in theory -- and proceeds accordingly. This book ... Read full review

Selected pages

Contents

Contents
1
Intervals
17
Scales
27
t Major and Minor Keys
45
Rhythms
55
Time Signatures
67
Tempo Dynamics and Navigation
77
Tunes
89
Accompanying Melodies
167
Transposing to Other Keys
177
Embellishing
185
Chord Substitutions and Turnarounds
203
Special Notation
215
Arranqinq
223
Arranging
226
Appendixes
265

Chords
111
Chord Progressions
127
Phrases and Form
145
Accompanying
153
Training Course CD
293
Index
305
Copyright

Other editions - View all

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory
Michael Miller
Limited preview - 2002

Common terms and phrases

accompaniment alto B-flat band basic bass clef beat C-sharp cadence called Chapter chord progression chorus Clll concert key concert pitch counterpoint create dominant seventh Dorian mode eighth notes example extended chords F Major flats following table four fourth guitar half note half step harmony indicate instruments intervals jazz key of F key signature keyboard lead sheet Least You Need listen Little Lamb looks main note Major chord major scale Major second measure melody minor seventh mode move music notation music theory musicians natural minor scale Need to Know ninth octave orchestral perfect fifth phrase piano piece of music play quarter note repeat rhythm rhythmic root score sharps sing sixteenth notes sixth song sound staff Tempo marking There's third three notes tone tonic transpose transposition treble clef triad trumpet typically underlying chord verse voice white keys whole note whole step write

About the author (2005)

Michael Miller is the author of several books, including The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing Drums, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Singing, and The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Composition. He has been using Cubase for a number of years. He used Cubase SX to record the audio CD included with the second edition of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing Drums.

Bibliographic information

QR code for The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory
TitleThe Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory
Complete idiot's guide
AuthorMichael Miller
Editionillustrated
PublisherPenguin, 2005
ISBN1592574378, 9781592574377
Length314 pages
Subjects ›  › 

Music / Instruction & Study / Theory
  
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