Customer Reviews

Music Theory (HarperCollins College Outline Series)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

There are many complaints below concerning this book's rapid introduction of more complex topics. If the book in question were intended to teach theory from the very beginning, this might be a valid denouncement; but, frankly, such was not the intent. It is a "college outline," and, in fulfilling the expectations for book in such a series, it does a relatively good job. It is true that some of the examples could be more thoroughly explained (and a small handful are even mislabled), but if you are already generally familiar with the material, this book serves excellently as a source from which to review. If you are looking to refresh you memory quickly after a breach in study, I cannot think of a better choice. Moreover, the book provides rather good guidelines for getting a start in more advanced topics. In short, I thoroughly recommend it.

Most books found on this subject are designed for beginers and are frustrating for those who want to learn more. This book is for those who want more and accomplishes that feat.

This is a practical book that summarizes the most important aspects in the Music Theory, Harmony and an introduction to the Musical Analysis. The book is well structured and the explanations are clear and intelligible, for wich it is well adapted for beginners, teachers at college level, and also for those that, not being professional musicians, but they studied this matter years ago, they are looking for an a single-book-abridgment to refresh their knowledge quickly. It only lacks, from my point of view, of an appendix with the answers to the proposed exercises, what would help the self-students a lot.

If one approaches this book with a view to learning Music Theory, one would be slightly disappointed. The author brushes right through the fundamentals but that is to be expected from an outline book of this type. All in all, I think this book will come in useful after I've learned Music and need to review theory from time to time. Great book though.

I searched this book for my AP music theory. Wow, such a fabulous review material that other basic thoery books couldn't compare. As a matter of fact, I read this book instead of my text book (which was tedious and didn't explain well). I personally don't recommand this book for beginners, it's very fast paced, especially on the basics. However, for college freshmans or those who take equivalent courses(like me), the book covers a wide range of different concepts to certain depth. Some of the wording has to be read several times before u understand. Overall, the book is quite profundity to me except for the front cover.

This book is very informative. Whether you are a beginner or advanced musician, or simply someone interested in music holistically, this is an excellent book.

Concise. One of the best Study Guides available! Of course further reading may be required depending on your knowledge. Very Good Outline/Review.

This is a good beginning book for music theory. However, as someone using the book outside of the classroom, I would have liked an appendix with answers or samples for the end-of-chapter exercises.

I was looking for something to help me learn to read music. This book has the basic information I was looking for on music notation. But it is a bit of a tough read - I don't think it is really meant for people starting at square one. I find that I really need to get another book with more "how to" information.

On the surface this book might seem like a bargain. It covers a lot of topics, it has a lot of pages, and costs very little, relative to other music textbooks.

But then when you try to actually learn from it, you quickly see why it is so cheap. It is nearly useless imho. It "covers" topic after topic, "machine gun" style, announcing what it is trying to teach, includes a few very brief paragraphs describing it, a few bars of music, then moves on. Owch. Compare that with other texts that devote a lot more discussion, examples, exercises, and most also include some music that you can listen to, to more fully describe the concept. And also the pages are small, the font is small, and the diagrams are small and often so scrunched that they are difficult to read. Then you start to understand why they are practically giving this book away.