Music Theory Book for Students

[endorka]

Hi Folks,

I find that many students who wish to learn more about music theory have an interest in jazz, so it makes sense for them to study music theory in this context.

However, I've encountered a few who come from a rock or pop background, and I suspect the jazz theory method books will not offer sufficient reference points for study and to maintain interest / motivation.

Does anyone have any recommendations for more general music theory study methods appropriate for bass guitar?

Jennifer

[62P-Bass]

Try the Harmony & Theory book by Mark Levine and Carl Schroeder. Not bass specific but good explanations and practical and useful way of dealing music theory, as it relates to pop music, and later getting into a bit of jazz.

Andrew

[xilddx]

I really like the Bass Builders books, they are genre independent and very good for beginners to this sort of stuff, like me, although I can't claim to have really worked through them properly as I have so little motivation to

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fingerboard-Harmony-Bass-Builders/dp/0793560438/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1348695915&sr=1-3

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Simplified-Sight-Reading-Bass-Josquin-Pres/dp/0793565189/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1348695827&sr=1-4

[endorka]

Thanks chaps, I'll have a look at these.

Jennifer

[4to5to6]

Bert Ligon's books rise above the crowd

Jazzology by Robert Rawlins is also a good choice
Jazz Theory by Mark Levine is very popular

I have all of them and would highly recommend starting with Jazz Theory Resources, volume 1 by Bert Ligon.

http://www.amazon.com/Jazz-Theory-Resources-Volume-1/dp/0634038613/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Edited September 29, 2012 by 4to5to6

[Coilte]

Check out "Edly's Music Theory for Practical People" :


[url="http://www.edly.com/mtfpp.html"]http://www.edly.com/mtfpp.html[/url]


Not specifically for bass, but a great book.

[endorka]

Thanks 4to5to6, but I was really looking for books outside of jazz.

I already have the Mark Levine book, but don't think it would be a good choice for those who not interested in jazz.

Jennifer

[funkypenguin]

Are you teaching them harmony or music theory as a whole (melodic dictation, treble/tenor/alto clef etc)? If you're teaching them harmony i would recommend they take the time to look at the Mark Levine book. It was a compulsory purchase for our whole Harmony/Composition class at salford and alot of my classmates that arnt that into jazz music found it really useful. Alot of the progressions/concepts in there are applicable to most pop/rock music (major/minor II-V-I, I-VI-II-V etc.). Its a brilliant resource

If you really dont want to give them a Jazz book i would recommend A Geometry of Music. heres a link

[url="http://www.amazon.com/Geometry-Music-Counterpoint-Extended-Practice/dp/0195336674/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1349103429&sr=1-2&keywords=Music+Harmony"]http://www.amazon.com/Geometry-Music-Counterpoint-Extended-Practice/dp/0195336674/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1349103429&sr=1-2&keywords=Music+Harmony[/url]