Harmony and Theory: Essential Concepts Series (Essential Concepts (Musicians Institute).)

About ten years ago I had purchased this book. I read through and worked the excersizes in about a month. I learned alot from that book and it was easy to remember the ideas in it, so I never really looked through it again. However, one day I met upon a music hungry student and felt compelled to share the knowledge in it, so I sold it to him. I was without it for about eight years.Recently, I began teaching a young student in the ways and forms of a musician. I wanted to do a good job without looking and giving the impression of a know it all wind bag. I was waiting and sweating in desparation for my new copy to arrive. When it finally came, I reviewed the information in it over and over. I was amazed to realize that this book was so well written, I had not forgotten a thing it said.However, there are points made in the book that make constant review neccessary, because the basic ideas: Major and Minor Scales, Modes, Intervals, and the like apply to all music pretty much. It's the other concepts in the book that make this a real treasure: Extended Chords, Modal Interchange, Secondary Dominants, Altered Chords and Scales, Diminished Seventh Chords, all kinds of Chord Substitutions, Modulation, and more.There are no musical examples in this book, it's all Theory -- which is great because there are no musical examples to lead you to a specific genre, style, or any specific intrument. All the information in the book can also apply to vocals, music analytics, ear training, and helps improve your technique on whatever you are doing musically. It even helps you to work and train more intelligently -- that is, what NOT to do -- saves you hours, weeks, if not years.POINT BEING: You never know what will be demanded out of you, your music, or your talents... so if you buy this book, don't let it out of your sight!

This is a very practical book of theory, but it's not very in depth. I do love that this is a WORKBOOK to let you practice theory concepts, but the staves are too small for most people to use. (see attached pic) I would have to put the book on a copier and blow up the exercises to a usable size for myself or any of my students to write on. This book covers all the basics of theory including melody, rhythm, intervals, different kinds of scales, chords, chord functions, inversions, chromaticism, and modulation . I see a few "holes" though. Nowhere does this book mention the Circle of Fifths. This book also doesn't cover voice leading, counterpoint, cadences, figured bass, or analysis of composed works.

The Musician Institute's books tend to be very useful, with superior lay-out and graphics. the approach is just right for popular music performers. In my opinion, "Harmony and Theory" is a winner.The first half explains the basics of music notation, intervals, scales and chord formation. I already had a decent background in music theory so it is hard to tell how easy it would be for a first-timer, but on this book the subject looked very clearly explained. Very important: Every chapter has a number of exercises (with answers at the end of the book), so a reader can apply each new concept as it is presented.The second half, exploring harmony, was gold! The content is based on the diatonic rules, but also covers virtually every exception you are likely to find (and apply) in popular music. Because I was already familiar with most of the topics, I read many chapters in a single sitting, but I would recommend this book to be approached by a new studentas as a "course" : one chapter at a time, and be sure to do the exercises!Pick up your guitar and piano and play the chord progressions, chapter by chapter. feel the sounds and then go read the "logic". music is primarily about emotion, no doubt about it, but the analytical understanding of its principles can be so much fun and will arm you with more tools to express your own artistry.Very useful and I am sure it can benefit many musicians.

I am a semi-professional musician (gigging and recording on weekends) and found this book to be a great help to me. Over the years i had picked up bits and pieces of theory, and most of it seemed to make enough sense, but there were still things i had no clue about! That is where this lifesaver of a book came in. I bought it based upon its well-deserved good reviews, and couldn't have been more pleased. It covered just about everything i wanted to know, and filled in almost all of the "holes" in my knowledge of music theory. However, this book isnt something you can just spend 2 minutes reading and pick up on exactly what it says. Some of the things take a bit of practice to fully understand, but its well worth the time. If you are serious about your music and want a solid fundamental knowledge of theory, then i would HIGHLY reccommend this book. Overall it has been one of the most practical, useful investments i have ever made.

This is my first music theory book. I first borrowed one from library and later decided to buy one to keep. The book explains the chord structures and chord progressions in a well organized way and easy to follow. I did all the exercises in every chapter to check my understanding. They're very useful.

Lo único que no me ha gustado es que a la fecha no tengo el producto y ya ha pasado mucho tiempo desde que lo compré.Me gustaría poder opinar pero como comprenderán me es imposible.

夫が演奏家なのでこの本を買いました。外国の出版社のものなので見つけるのに苦労しましたが、こちらにあって良かったです。大いに活用しています。まあ、演奏家には役立ちますが、一般人には難しい内容と思います。

This is a really excellent book for budding guitarists and song writers. I am really glad I bought this book as it was very helpful in understanding what harmony (chords and notes) can work together and in sequence. Also modes, scales and much more. Having the exercises with answers at the back was also very useful. I had already completed the ABRSM grade 5 theory books and exam before I read this book but I think it would have been OK to read without all that prior knowledge.It is worth noting that the Pocket Theory book by the same authors is an exact copy of this book but in a very small format and without the exercises. I bought both without realising they were the same :-)

This is a very good theory book for the working musician. Very practical and easy to follow. Recommended by my bass tutor

This book is easy to go through even without a teacher or any help. I was told by my guitar teacher to pick this up to help me with a few gaps in my knowledge of music theory. So far it has been great and easy to follow. I would recommend this to anyone who has played music for a while but never really got into the side of seriously studying music theory. After buying several books on the subject I would say this is by far the best.