Music Theory Book

[wesimel]

anybody care to recommend a good book on music theory for an experienced musician that doesn't know a ton about theory? i know a bit, basic chords, reading music (with effort), and rythm and such, but i'd like to know more, harmonies, scales, pitch, advanced chord structures (deminished? 7th's? 5th's? 9ths?)

[wesimel]

anybody tried the berklee music theory books?

[DupleMeter]

having gone to berklee - I can say that if you can get the actually books used in their harmony 1-4 classes you'd be pretty well served. I believe their bookstore is online somewhere at berklee.edu.

I tried making that an actual link but it seems to refuse to render for me. Sorry.

[ThePitz]

If your into jazz - 'The Jazz Theory' book by Mark Levine is pretty great. Probably better as a supplement to some more classical training though..

[Aquaman]

Walter Piston's "Harmony" is the classic text. I wouldn't recommend it to a beginner, but you said you have some background already. It's a little more classical in general, but the theory is clear and comprehensive.

Stay away from the most recent 5th edition, if possible, and look for a used 3rd or 4th ed instead.

[calaverasgrandes]

'contemporary musicians handbook and dictionary' alsoby levine is good

[Jpp]

The Guitar Handbook by Denyer has pretty good basic theory for guitarists (as well as other info you may be familiar with already), and I see it on the shelf in bookstores regularly. If you're coming to grips with chord and scale names and formulas, you might not need heavy-duty "common practice" classical theory or a serious jazz book.

Jpp

[calaverasgrandes]

sorry Larry Fotine did 'contemporary musicians handbook and dictionary'