Music Theory Workbook for All Instruments, Volume One [Paperback]

Bruce Arnold (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2001 | Series: Music Theory Workbook for All Instruments (Book 1)

This book uses extremely simple language to explain the basics of music theory. Exercises require the student to write out examples using staff notation. Exercises include simple interval to highly complex chords.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Whether you are a beginner, or an advanced student seeking to improve your music theory knowledge, the only way you will make music theory a coherent natural process is by working with it repeatedly until it becomes as automatic as speaking in your own language. Music schools raise students to this ability by giving them the same information presented in the music theory section, and then spending 1 to 2 years giving them theory assignments in order to ingrain the information. This book does the same thing by giving you 100 pages of exercises. It's not enough to understand how each chord and interval is built; you need to do all the exercises. That is how you will gain a command over the information and will be able to instantaneously say what the notes in a chord are in any key. At that point, your proficiency with music theory becomes a reflex and is very much like speaking. You don't think of every word when you say a sentence, yet you could easily stop and explain any word that you are using. This is the same process that happens when you master the music theory information presented in this book. --This text refers to the Spiral-bound edition.

From the Author

This theory workbook is designed to teach you the basic building blocks of music theory. You should play each exercise on your own instrument in order to ingrain the information in your head and your hands. Each exercise will ask you to write the notes contained in the intervals or chords on a music staff. The answers for each exercise can be found in the back of the book. Remember that memorizing the notes contained in each chord presented combined with knowing where these notes are on your instrument, will open up a whole new understanding of music. As stated in the Foreword, applying this knowledge to your instrument will give you the ability to create music with greater flexibility, coherence, and confidence.

In order to help you apply the information presented in this book I've created a small booklet that can be downloaded for free at the muse-eek.com website. This booklet gives you exercises specifically designed to help you apply the theory information to your instrument.The "member's area" also contains other educational files that can help you in your musical studies.

Background theory information needed to complete each exercise is presented in easy to understand language. A piano keyboard diagram is used to demonstrate certain music theory concepts. It is important that you also play each example presented in the background theory section. This will help you to directly involve your instrument with the process of learning. The theory section is followed by exercises for learning intervals and triads, 7th chords (4 note chords) and chords with tensions. After you check your answers in the back of the book be sure to play each example on your instrument.

A total beginner should keep in mind that there is a lot of information presented here and it can get overwhelming after a while. It is important for you to pace yourself. If you take on to much information in "one gulp" you will end up with learning fatigue, so divide your work into sensible amounts. For example, once you have read up to page 6, do the "Basic Intervals" exercise on page 16 while this information is fresh in your mind. Refer back to pages 1-6 as you do the "Basic Intervals" exercise on page 16 if you need help in remembering the chromatic scale or how many half steps are in a particular interval. As you work further through this book you will find that over time you will start to remember many of the concepts presented in the theory section just from using them so many times. I've also included a blank sheet in the back of the book if you feel you want to redo certain pages.

Whether you are a beginner, or an advanced student seeking to improve your music theory knowledge, the only way you will make music theory a coherent natural process is by working with it repeatedly until it becomes as automatic as speaking in your own language. Music schools raise students to this ability by giving them the same information presented in the music theory section, and then spending 1 to 2 years giving them theory assignments in order to ingrain the information. This book does the same thing by giving you 100 pages of exercises. It's not enough to understand how each chord and interval is built; you need to do all the exercises. That is how you will gain a command over the information and will be able to instantaneously say what the notes in a chord are in any key. At that point, your proficiency with music theory becomes a reflex and is very much like speaking. You don't think of every word when you say a sentence, yet you could easily stop and explain any word that you are using. This is the same process that happens when you master the music theory information presented in this book. --This text refers to the Spiral-bound edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Muse Eek Publishing Company (April 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890944467
• ISBN-13: 978-1890944469
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,458,234 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Guitarist Bruce Arnold has developed an extensive reputation as a composer educator and guitar virtuoso. He has created a unique signature sound that stems from his combination of jazz techniques and 20th Century compositional methods. He has played with such diverse musicians as Stuart Hamm, Peter Erskine, Joe Pass, Joe Lovano, Randy Brecker, Stanley Clarke, the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Arnold is also deeply devoted to music education and had written more than 60 music instruction. He heads the guitar departments at NYU and Princeton University and is the director of the New York University Summer Guitar Intensive He has taught at some of the most prestigious music schools in America, including the New England Conservatory of Music, Dartmouth College, Berklee College of Music, New School University, and City College of New York.