Guitarists of all levels will find a wealth of practical music knowledge in this special book and CD package. Veteran guitarist and author Tom Kolb dispels the mysteries of music theory using plain and simple terms and diagrams. The accompanying CD provides 94 tracks of music examples, scales, modes, chords, ear training, and much more!
Music Theory
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
596 of 615 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I should start by stating that I am a beginning guitar student. So please take my review in the appropriate light. The book "Music Theory" is a unique addition to my quickly growing guitar library. It is broken into 13 chapters:
Chapter 1 - a detailed explanation of the fretboard. This was particularly useful for me, because it explained what every note on the fretboard was. Tuning and intonation are also briefly discussed. Everything in the book is also given in TAB as well as sheet music.
Chapter 2 - covers the basics of reading music including the treble clef, musical alphabet (A-G), accidentals (flats, sharps, naturals), rhythm, time signatures, note values, beams, dotted notes, chords (stacks, names, and frames), repeat signs, and tablature.
Chapter 3 - discusses the major/minor scales, key signatures, and the handy circle of fifths.
Chapter 4 - focuses on intervals (distance between two notes).
Chapter 5 - covers the major and minor triads (chords which are a third interval apart).
Chapter 6 - discusses harmonizing the major scale.
Chapter 7 - a study of chord construction - both in theory and on the fretboard, covering major, minor, power, suspended, sixth, six/nine, seventh, extended, altered, slash, and poly chords.
Chapter 8 - discusses harmonizing the minor scale.
Chapter 9 - talks about key centers (something I must admit I haven't quite figured out yet).
Chapter 10 - covers the 12-bar blues progression, the major and minor pentatonic scales, and parallel pentatonic scales.
Chapter 11/12 - discusses modes, modal harmony, other scales, and chord/scale relationships.
Chapter 13 - covers chord substitutions and reharmonization.
My impression of the book is "Wow!" There is a tremendous amount of information in this book. As a beginner, I really benefitted from the first five chapters, but quickly lost my way as I pushed further ahead. But I fully expect that as I gain more experience, I will continue to consult this very valuable resource.
Written by Arthur Bradley, author of "Process of Elimination" - a cool erotic thriller that pits a martial artist against a world-class sniper.
As always, please be kind enough to indicate if reviews are helpful.
Chapter 1 - a detailed explanation of the fretboard. This was particularly useful for me, because it explained what every note on the fretboard was. Tuning and intonation are also briefly discussed. Everything in the book is also given in TAB as well as sheet music.
Chapter 2 - covers the basics of reading music including the treble clef, musical alphabet (A-G), accidentals (flats, sharps, naturals), rhythm, time signatures, note values, beams, dotted notes, chords (stacks, names, and frames), repeat signs, and tablature.
Chapter 3 - discusses the major/minor scales, key signatures, and the handy circle of fifths.
Chapter 4 - focuses on intervals (distance between two notes).
Chapter 5 - covers the major and minor triads (chords which are a third interval apart).
Chapter 6 - discusses harmonizing the major scale.
Chapter 7 - a study of chord construction - both in theory and on the fretboard, covering major, minor, power, suspended, sixth, six/nine, seventh, extended, altered, slash, and poly chords.
Chapter 8 - discusses harmonizing the minor scale.
Chapter 9 - talks about key centers (something I must admit I haven't quite figured out yet).
Chapter 10 - covers the 12-bar blues progression, the major and minor pentatonic scales, and parallel pentatonic scales.
Chapter 11/12 - discusses modes, modal harmony, other scales, and chord/scale relationships.
Chapter 13 - covers chord substitutions and reharmonization.
My impression of the book is "Wow!" There is a tremendous amount of information in this book. As a beginner, I really benefitted from the first five chapters, but quickly lost my way as I pushed further ahead. But I fully expect that as I gain more experience, I will continue to consult this very valuable resource.
Written by Arthur Bradley, author of "Process of Elimination" - a cool erotic thriller that pits a martial artist against a world-class sniper.
As always, please be kind enough to indicate if reviews are helpful.
203 of 207 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
After 35 years of self taught guitar and knowing a fair amount about music theory, I found this book to be the clearest, most concise and comprehensive overview of theory I've ever read. This is "must have" for any guitarist who wants to move beyond groping the neck and develop an organized approach to your music.
96 of 96 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Comprehensive, intuitive guide for the guitarist wanting to understand theory...
September 22, 2007
By Aaron Meier
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have been a musician all of my life, since the age of 4, and a guitarist for a decade, since the age of sixteen. I was in high school orchestra and took guitar lessons for a few years, but at no time during any of this did any of my instructors really help me understand music theory. I tried learning a few times by myself, but that always ended in frustration.
Then I found this book. "Music Theory for Guitarists" is the most in-depth, intuitive, and well thought out book on the subject that I have ever come across. After reading this book and completing the exercises in it, I now feel confident in my grasp of music theory in a way I thought would never happen.
This book deftly guides the reader through the journey from the most basic of basics to much more complex topics, such as chord substitution and reharmonization. It also includes an entire chapter on learning to find the key center of songs, which is an incredibly useful skill to have since you can't always tell by ear what key you are in.
Perhaps the most in depth part of this book...the author analyzes the major and minor scales, and all of their modes, in depth. He gives each scale and mode its own section, discussing the nuances of what sets each apart from the others, and giving ideas for how and when to apply it in real world situations. He also goes into detail about building and identifying chords and harmonizing the major and minor scales (a section that has completely reinvented the way I look at writing music.)
I cannot say enough about this book. It has opened my eyes to a subject I thought I was too "stupid" to grasp, and showed me that I was only unable to learn because it had never been presented to me correctly. If you have any weaknesses in your knowledge of music theory, I would strongly recommend that you take advantage of the goldmine of information found in this book. You will likely find yourself, as I have, seeing the language of music in a completely different light, and for the first time really seeing how all Western music is connected at the root.
Then I found this book. "Music Theory for Guitarists" is the most in-depth, intuitive, and well thought out book on the subject that I have ever come across. After reading this book and completing the exercises in it, I now feel confident in my grasp of music theory in a way I thought would never happen.
This book deftly guides the reader through the journey from the most basic of basics to much more complex topics, such as chord substitution and reharmonization. It also includes an entire chapter on learning to find the key center of songs, which is an incredibly useful skill to have since you can't always tell by ear what key you are in.
Perhaps the most in depth part of this book...the author analyzes the major and minor scales, and all of their modes, in depth. He gives each scale and mode its own section, discussing the nuances of what sets each apart from the others, and giving ideas for how and when to apply it in real world situations. He also goes into detail about building and identifying chords and harmonizing the major and minor scales (a section that has completely reinvented the way I look at writing music.)
I cannot say enough about this book. It has opened my eyes to a subject I thought I was too "stupid" to grasp, and showed me that I was only unable to learn because it had never been presented to me correctly. If you have any weaknesses in your knowledge of music theory, I would strongly recommend that you take advantage of the goldmine of information found in this book. You will likely find yourself, as I have, seeing the language of music in a completely different light, and for the first time really seeing how all Western music is connected at the root.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book. Covers a lot
I love how this book goes through a lot of musical theory. It is simple and easy to understand. Has charts, quizzes, great organization of the topics (in my opinion). Read more
Published 3 days ago by Julio Aguero
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book.
My son is good enough to play at local restaurants and coffee houses. When he lost his guitar teacher he bought this book to improve both playing skills and music theory skills. Read more
Published 16 days ago by Lorien
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book
I've learned a lot from this book and there's plenty more to learn. For someone that's a complete beginner it's a must read.
Published 21 days ago by LFoster516
4.0 out of 5 stars
great
really breaks down playing the guitar down, so that its easyer to understand. a good book will alot of things you should know
Published 25 days ago by matt
5.0 out of 5 stars
good book full of usable info...
Purchased this for my son and it has many areas that define the basic and also more complex structure of playing. Read more
Published 1 month ago by 336ralph
5.0 out of 5 stars
Music Theory for Guitarists
A good tutorial on the guitar and music in general. Has been most helpful in teaching me to play guitar.
Published 2 months ago by D. F. Keese
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must Have
Out of the 30 guitar instruction books I have, this is the one I have used the most. Very well written and easy to understand.
Published 2 months ago by immgr
4.0 out of 5 stars
Theory
Another method and I am trying hard to understand the complexity of music theory. It's not the method that's the problem it's my ability to grasp the concept. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Uncle Kimo
4.0 out of 5 stars
Music Theory: Hl Guitar Method Supplement To Any Guitar Method
Enjoy reading it and it gives me better understanding, since my guitar knowledge is following the chords and play accordingly.
Published 2 months ago by Kenny
5.0 out of 5 stars
a must have
An excellent book that is unique because it is oriented to the guitar player instead of the piano/keyboard player. Indispensable if you are serious about learning music.
Published 2 months ago by Robert Craig
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 2
books:
- Modes for Guitar (Private Lessons) (Musicians Institute: Private Lessons) by Tom Kolb in Front Matter
- MUSIC THEORY (Fundamental Series) (Passbooks) by Jack Rudman in Front Matter
