Book or any material that explains music basis

fdeutsch · Post by **fdeutsch** » 12-06-12 12:09 pm

Hi all,

I am brand new to this forum. I already knew Synthesia from years ago, which I found it fantastic. After some time I finally decided to get more in depth to learn to play the Piano and have a better understanding of music in general.

Before I go any further, I want to understand the basic principles of music. Understand the concept of notes, scales, chords, measures, times, etc. Is there any book or existing material that you can recommend to me. I know music is much more than understand these concepts, but I need to have an idea of what are the "mechanics" within.

Thanks for any help.

Fernando

jimhenry · Post by **jimhenry** » 12-06-12 12:55 pm

This book is pretty good, and it really does fit in a pocket:
http://www.amazon.com/Leonard-Pocket-Mu ... sic+theory

There are a number of good, free on-line resources for learning music theory:
http://www.gmajormusictheory.org/
http://www.dolmetsch.com/introduction.htm
http://www.musictheory.net/

I would encourage you to look these over, perhaps go through the first lesson or two for each of them, and then pick ONE and stick with it until you can't get anything more from it. There are various approaches to covering the fundamentals of music theory and if you jump around between sources, you'll most likely wind up confused and slow your progress in absorbing this material. In the end, they'll all get you to pretty much the same place. You just need to find the one that works best with your learning style.

fdeutsch · Post by **fdeutsch** » 12-06-12 2:59 pm

Hi Jim,

Thanks a lot for the links, they definitely look good, too bad the book is not on digital format.

I have a background of computer and software development, reason I want to understand the theoretical part. Hope it will help me.

Thanks again.

Fernando

Pianotehead · Post by **Pianotehead** » 12-06-12 6:40 pm

http://www.youtube.com/user/Lypur

jimhenry · Post by **jimhenry** » 12-06-12 6:59 pm

Pianotehead wrote:http://www.youtube.com/user/Lypur

Nice find! Here is a direct link to his web site:
http://www.howtoplaypiano.ca/

This is most instruction on how to play piano however. He provide only the most basic of information on music theory.

Pianotehead · Post by **Pianotehead** » 12-07-12 7:17 am

Well, there are two playlists, one about how to play piano and the other on music theory, where he hardly touches the piano. I'd say the latter category is much more than just the basics, in fact the opposite, they are too detailed and theoretical for my taste. Here is the music theory playlist.

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB585CE43B02669C3

jimhenry · Post by **jimhenry** » 12-07-12 9:08 am

I missed that second playlist. Thanks for the link!

kiwi · Post by **kiwi** » 12-14-12 12:15 pm

this one is not bad u can ear intervalls etc...
http://www.chordwizard.com/theory.aspx
But i prefer their sequencer