Best music theory book on Reddit
128 reviews from r/musictheory, r/Guitar, r/edmproduction and 9 more subreddits
128 reviews from
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#1
Tonal Harmony
4.3
(6)
"I really like it"
"No question: “Tonal Harmony” by Stefan Kostas et al. This is very comprehensive but easy to understand."
"Tonal Harmony by Payne, Kostka is the one I used but there are quite a few others that cover the same ground."
"I used Kostka-Payne 'Tonal Harmony' at University."
"Thorough without being too heady or dense"
"The Tonal Harmony textbook is standard."
#2
N/A
4.3
(6)
"I agree with u/fguitar82 - and I've just discovered you can read all my own opinions of that book here!"
"Not a book but I've got a ton of theory videos on my YouTube channel."
"Is pretty good for learning song structure."
"This isn't a terrible resource for learning the basics."
"One is a very concise revision aid - no depth, but a guide to everything you need to know."
"It was a book my first guitar teacher gave me simply entitled 'Modes'."
#3
Paul Hindemith
4.5
(4)
"The Craft of Musical Composition by Paul Hindemith."
"Two oldies but goodies here, A Concentrated Course in Traditional Harmony by Paul Hindemith."
"Paul Hindemith’s Elementary Training for Musicians, for a broader and more multi-faceted text."
"Paul Hindemith's Elementary Training for Musicians is supposed to be very good."
#4
Levine
5.0
(3)
"Another vote for Levine, his Jazz Theory Book is virtually ubiquitous."
"Levine's Jazz Theory Book. He also does a jazz piano book that is excellent."
"Levine's Jazz Theory Book or Jazzology. I prefer the first."
#5
Vincent Persichetti
4.3
(3)
"The best post tonal book by far is Joe Straus's *Introduction to Post-Tonal Theory.* Get that instead."
"But I’ve heard good things about ABC music theory"
"Twentieth century harmony by vincent persichetti"
#6
Arnold Schoenberg
4.3
(3)
"I have been slowing chipping away at my copy of Arnold Schoenberg's *Structural Functions of Harmony*, which is, so far, a really great read."
"Fundamentals of Musical Composition by Arnold Schoenberg"
"Arnold Schoenberg also writes some books about composition in general and harmony."
#7
Music Theory for Computer Musicians
4.0
(3)
"Very easy to understand if you can’t read/write music"
"I've heard good things about a book called "Music Theory for Computer Musicians" by Michael Hewitt"
"Music theory for computer musicians by Michael Hewitt"
#8
Harmony
3.7
(3)
"Comprehensive, fairly easy to read"
"It’ll always have a place in my heart"
"It rlly helped me lay down my foundations"
#9
Mark Levine
5.0
(2)
"Mark Levine's Jazz Theory Book is very good."
"Mark Levine’s Jazz Theory Book."
#10
Randy Felts
5.0
(2)
"I recommend Reharmonization Techniques."
"Reharmonize by R.Felts!"
#11
Music Theory Book
5.0
(2)
"1. Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain
2. How Music Works
3. The Study of Counterpoint
4. Hooktheory"
"This book is fantastic, IMO. It is very much targeted towards guitarists who can already play fairly proficiently."
#12
Mick Goodrick
5.0
(2)
"I really enjoyed Mick Goodrick's 'The Advancing Guitarist'."
"I read two really good books on this subject: The Advancing Guitarist by Mick Goodrick."
#13
Bill Edwards
5.0
(2)
"Fretboard Logic by Bill Edwards... I found that was about all the theory I needed."
"Fretboard logic is and always will be my favorite."
#14
Ralph Denyer
5.0
(2)
"It has a lot more than just theory, a very complete book, but the theory sections in particular are pretty great."
"The Guitar Handbook by Ralph Denyer has a lot of good info."
#15
Michael Hewitt
5.0
(2)
"I like "Music Theory for Computer Musicians" by Michael Hewitt."
"I recommend music theory for computer musicians by Michael Hewitt."
#16
The Jazz Theory Book
5.0
(2)
"The Jazz Theory Book by Mark Levine is a great read."
"The jazz theory book by mark Levine! Do it! You won't regret it."
#17
Guitar Fretboard Workbook
4.5
(2)
"The Guitar Fretboard Workbook is what I started on, and I can't recommend it enough if you like the workbook format."
"I've heard great things about Guitar Fretboard Workbook."
#18
Harmony & Voice Leading
4.5
(2)
"If you want to learn the basics, then Harmony & Voice Leading is the standard go-to book."
"If you're looking for a textbook on harmony check out Harmony & Voice Leading by Aldwell et al."
#19
20th Century Harmony
4.5
(2)
"Has everything from interval relationships to polychords to harmonic synthesis with applied assignments and examples from famous works"
"Unknown"
#20
The Everything Music Theory Book
4.5
(2)
"This is great book for beginners: The Everything Music Theory Book: A Complete Guide to Taking Your Understanding of Music to the Next Level"
"A good book: "The Everything Music Theory Book". The price is much more affordable than the academic textbooks."
#21
Walter Piston
4.0
(2)
"Is really solid."
"Walter Piston's "Harmony", and "Counterpoint""
#22
The Dance Music Manual
4.0
(2)
"Check out "The Dance Music Manual" by Rick Snowman. There is a music theory section in the book."
"The dance music manual has a pretty good section about music theory and its application."
#23
Robert Ottman
4.0
(2)
"We used the Ottman books, 'Elementary Harmony' and 'Advanced Harmony' when I was in undergrad."
"It was the standard textbook for North Texas State University from the early 60s."
#24
Dominic Pedler
5.0
(1)
"Out of print now, but the insane asking price shows you good it is."
#25
Alec Wilder
5.0
(1)
"Incredible. Extensive chapters on Berlin, Kern, Rodgers, Gershwin etc."
#26
Jean Philippe Rameau
5.0
(1)
"Treatise on Harmony by Jean Philippe Rameau."
#27
Fux
5.0
(1)
"Fux's treatise on counterpoint is one of the first to lay down principles of composition."
#28
Royal Academy of Music
5.0
(1)
"Royal academy of musics' theory books"
#29
Amazon
5.0
(1)
"If you're interested in a more formal understanding of music theory this textbook is a great resource."
#30
Holm-Hudson
5.0
(1)
"Holm-Hudson: Music Theory Remixed"
#31
Clendinning
5.0
(1)
"The book by Clendinning uses real excerpts!"
#32
Norton
5.0
(1)
"Honestly if you want to shell out the cash Norton is the best and most up to times on the market."
#33
Bert Ligon
5.0
(1)
"Have been learning from it ever since."
#34
Schott Music
5.0
(1)
"Even if you only study the theory part it's still awesome"
#35
Ludmila Ulehla
5.0
(1)
"Contemporary harmony, Ludmila ulehla. Countless examples of everything."
#36
Berklee
5.0
(1)
"Seems to be what you are looking for."
#37
Laitz
5.0
(1)
"LAITZ ALL THE WAY MOFOOOOOS"
#38
Happy Banjo Dude
5.0
(1)
"I like the Winston style book from happy banjo dude."
#39
Kevin G. Pace
5.0
(1)
"The Comprehensive Book of Modes & Scales by Kevin G. Pace. It's really theory framed for piano & keyboard players."
#40
The Beatles
5.0
(1)
"Learning a bunch of his songs, there's A LOT of information, about chords, progressions, harmonies, cadences... They were really masters of the composition."
#41
R. Felts
5.0
(1)
"Reharmonize by R.Felts!"
#42
Nelson Riddle
5.0
(1)
"Arranged By Nelson Riddle, a fantastic resource for anyone interested in arranging or orchestration."
#43
William Caplin
5.0
(1)
"Easily the most helpful book I’ve ever read was Analyzing Classical Form by William Caplin."
#44
Harmony for Computer Musicians
5.0
(1)
"Harmony for computer musicians is a gem."
#45
British Royal School of Music
5.0
(1)
"The British Royal School of Music has excellent books on the subject."
#46
5.0
(1)
"I would encourage you to check out the r/musictheory FAQ -- that links to a list of their recommended resources."
#47
David Huron
5.0
(1)
"Voice Leading: The Science behind a Musical Art by David Huron"
#48
Kendall Briggs
5.0
(1)
"It’s super clear, everything is really well explained and very efficient!"
#49
Tom Kolb
5.0
(1)
"Tom is an excellent teacher and writer, and his book is specifically geared towards relating these concepts directly to the guitar."
#50
Hooktheory
5.0
(1)
"It taught me everything I know today."
#51
Mark Harrison
5.0
(1)
"I'm a huge fan of Contemporary Music Theory by Mark Harrison."
#52
Poundie Burstein
5.0
(1)
"I really like Concise introduction to Tonal Harmony."
#53
Pedler
5.0
(1)
"I’m a big fan of "Songwriting Secrets of the Beatles" by Pedler. It’s expensive, but worth it - it contains many times as much information as your typical $20 music book."
#54
Alan Belkin
5.0
(1)
"For composition, I cannot recommend Alan Belkin's Musical Composition: Craft and Art enough."
#55
Dummies
5.0
(1)
"Music theory for Dummies.....walks you through what you need to get started in theory."
#56
David Harp
5.0
(1)
"Music Theory Made Easy by David Harp."
#57
Hook Theory
5.0
(1)
"Hook Theory I & II are gold."
#58
Keith Wyatt and Carl Schroeder
5.0
(1)
"By Keith Wyatt and Carl Schroeder on MI Press is great, comprehensible, covers the basics and has exercises."
#59
Piston
5.0
(1)
"I love Piston's Harmony."
#60
Bastien
5.0
(1)
"If you want more of a workbook style than a textbook, I really like Bastien's intermediate theory series."
#61
H. Owen Reed
5.0
(1)
"Basic Music by H. Owen Reed will give you everything you'll need."
#62
Fretboard Theory
5.0
(1)
"Desi Serna has a really good, 2 volume book that seems like exactly what you're looking for."
#63
Musician's Guide to Music Theory and Analysis
5.0
(1)
"My favorite book to teach theory out of is the Musician's Guide to Music Theory and Analysis."
#64
Music Theory for Musicians and Normal People
5.0
(1)
"Music Theory for Musicians and Normal People. by Toby W. Rush."
#65
A Chromatic Approach to Jazz Harmony and Melody
5.0
(1)
"It blows my mind every time I go back to it"
#66
Harmonic Materials of Modern Music
5.0
(1)
"Very well written"
#67
Hindemith
5.0
(1)
"Really great"
#68
Syncopation
5.0
(1)
"There’s no level of experience/proficiency needed"
#69
Real Book
4.0
(1)
"Would suggest getting a book like the Real Book or a song book with lead sheets in (chord and melody)."
#70
Jonathan Kramer
4.0
(1)
"Revolutionized my understanding of meter/rhythm/time in music."
#71
Victor Wooten
4.0
(1)
"It's still theory since it's teaching me things that others do not."
#72
Gerald Eskelin
4.0
(1)
"Not a textbook but more of a conversational short reference that explores misconceptions about rhythm."
#73
Signals Music Studio
4.0
(1)
"One issue with modern songs is copyright."
#74
Online Music Theory Book
4.0
(1)
"It has examples for most things and those include music from the classical era through about 2015."
#75
Music Theory for Guitarists
4.0
(1)
"Music Theory for Guitarist: everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask."
#76
Music Theory for Dummies
4.0
(1)
"This may sound ridiculous, but music theory for Dummies is a pretty decent start."
#77
Peter Spencer
4.0
(1)
"Practice of Harmony, Peter Spencer"
#78
Gordon Delamont
4.0
(1)
"I found Gordon Delamont Moder Harmonic Technique to be a good primer."
#79
Barry Nettles
4.0
(1)
"Berklee colle of music harmony textbook 1-4 by barry nettles"
#80
Ian Taylor
4.0
(1)
"The AB guide to music theory Ian Taylor"
#81
Micheal Hewitt
4.0
(1)
"Very helpful."
#82
Roig-Francoli
4.0
(1)
"It covers all the familiar common practice theory territory, of course."
#83
Schoenberg
4.0
(1)
"I really like Schoenberg's "Harmonielehre"."
#84
RCM
4.0
(1)
"I personally recommend RCM books. They are a bit more expensive than some other ones, but they are really good quality."
#85
Deborah Jamini
4.0
(1)
"I really like the Deborah Jamini books."
#86
Kostka-Payne
4.0
(1)
"I found the book very clear and accessible- the language was pretty straightforward."
#87
W. A. Matheiu
4.0
(1)
"Harmonic Experience by W. A. Matheiu. It goes into why harmony works for us and why it’s such a huge pillar in, at the very least, western culture."
#88
Edly
4.0
(1)
"It can be a little bit twee at times but Edly's Music Theory for Practical People is quite good."
#89
William Russo
4.0
(1)
"If you are lacking in the arrangement department, I recommend Composition: A new approach by william russo."
#90
Ted Greene
3.0
(1)
"Ted Greene's "chord chemistry" gets recommended a lot around here."
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