Customer Reviews

Berklee Music Theory Book 1

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is very clear and concise in teaching the basics of music theory. Each chapter is followed with excercises to apply your knowledge and each group of 3 or so chapters has even more excercises reviewing the topics covered in the past 3 or so chapters. There was one HUGE problem however. NO ANSWER KEY!!! Why anyone would make a book like this and not give an answer key is beyond me. It's easy to learn from this book, but how do you know if you've mastered the material if you can't check your work? If you can find someone to check your work get this book, otherwise I would look elsewhere for a book with an answer key.

When I researched this book and read reviews for it, I saw many complaints about there being no answer key included... And, furthermore, people who had contacted Berklee Music College to inquire about it had been told that there was no answer key available... and that to get the answers they would need to enroll in the course.

Well, I spoke with a Berklee College Student Advisor who connected me to someone who could help,
and I was sent an answer key via email that same day - so, as of now, there IS an answer key available - just contact the college to obtain it.
(None available yet, though, for Music Theory Book 2... hopefully soon, though)

I have always wanted to play the keyboard but I was a little intimidated because I knew very little about music. I heard that Berklee Press had great music books. I found Music Theory and I orderd it. The book was perfect for me because I needed to start from the beginning. The book has key signatures, which now I understand. It also helped me to read bass and treble clef because I will need them for playing the keyboard. After finishing the book I felt more confident and now I have moved on to more difficult books.

The book is great if you're in a classroom with an instructor to correct the practice tests that are all throughout the book. The book is meant to be used in schools, and in that setting, it is hard to beat. All they had to do was include a page or two with the answers and possibly perforate them so depending on the situation it could be removed or left in. If you don't care about the answers to the practice tests, it's great.

ok, I just recently bought this Berklee Book on music theory. Even though I have a strong theory foundation, this book covered a lottle more material than what I learned in school! It teaches the basics such as note placement to chord structures. I strongly recommend this book to those who write songs or can play an instrument.

Where are the answers to the exercises??? For a novice, the material seems to be what is needed, BUT there's no way to tell for sure if the lessons are being finished correctly. An answer key would be VERY helpful!

If you received an older pressing of this book please contact us at the link below to request your answer key. It will be sent via a .pdf file.

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Sincerely,
Matt Iorlano
Berkleemusic.com

This book (Berklee Music Theory Book 1) is helping me confirm what I already know about music and slowing introducing the next levels of theory in a clear and comprehensive fashion. The textbook offers room for written responses within each chapter and the CD (included) offers listening lessons with written response areas provided in the text as well. My guitar teacher recommended this purchase and now that I have both books 1 and 2, I see the need for these items. My instructor and I go through 3 chapters a week and the lessons flow quickly and easily. I highly recommend this item (book 1) as well as book 2.

This is a correction to my previous negative review. As they do for the answer guide, they will also send you sound files for the audio CD.

If you know nothing about music theory, this is a good place to start. I bought this to aid my students in learning about music theory and how to write it out, count it, etc.

But, to some it may seem simplistic. However, in order to get someone interested in the idea that music theory is about opening doors of creativity, you have to start somewhere. Here you go. It has a 'learn by doing' quality that is very good. So it's a workbook, too.

Others have addressed the "where's the answer sheet" question, so I'll not bother.

I will be getting book 2 also, again, because I will be using it with my students.

A good foundational knowledge of theory is always helpful and gives you an idea how creative you can be if you understand what the notes can do, what they can imply by the way you employ them. You don't need a degree to take advantage of the possibilities, but you do need basic knowledge at the very least to explore ideas with 'new eyes'.

Anyone who tells you learning theory destroys creativity is arguing from ignorance; they have no knowledge of theory, so cannot say that it ruins the creative spark. Are you going to listen to an opinion with no facts to back it up, or to someone who knows the subject, and so can speak with knowledge and authority - and the ability to demonstrate the possibilities - about the potential of theory to unlock your creativity in ways you might never have discovered otherwise?

There may be more comprehensive books, but this gets your feet wet with an easy to understand walk into the subject of music theory.