TESTIMONIALS

Theory of Music

Hands Down, Best All-In-One Music Foundation! Posted on February 22, 2010. Very few books about music theory, if any, are as comprehensive and far-reaching as this one! As a self-taught musician, I have labored and struggled to find clear and concise explanations of some of the most 'basic' yet mystifying concepts in music. This book is THOROUGH, detailed and easy to understand. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in building a solid foundation in music. It's One of a kind.

Joy B. "Joy"

Simply amazing!!! Posted on January 7, 2007, 9:30 AM EST. Being music major at Brandeis University, I was looking for a music theory guide that would help me understand the complex techniques of the compositional process. This book was simply amazing!!! It gave me a chance to deeply learn the most common and relevant terms in the subject of music theory. The author includes the most important and useful topics such as rhythm, clefs, scales, tonality, note-values, transposing, articulation terms, harmonies, and chords. At the end of each chapter, a quiz is included which helped me test myself and analyze even further the material that I learned. Overall, this book has many wonderful qualities. The reader easily understands the material with the author's clear definitions and examples. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants a practical, easy-to-use guide for music theory!!

 Kathy, Brandeis University, Music Major, Waltham, MA

"Theory of Music" is a labor of love, an encyclopedic wealth of practical musical knowledge. Posted on December 31, 2006, 10:16 AM EST: Finally, a music theory book written by a veteran musician. The author colors the usually bland subject of music theory with rich and interesting international styles along with an encyclopedic wealth of practical musical knowledge. 'Theory of Music' is a labor of love which should not be over-looked.

 Joe Roesch, Bandleader/Musical Contractor.

Comprehensive to the max!! Posted on January 2, 2007. Being a formally and stage trained musician, I have accumulated many music theory books through my studies. When my 14 year old son/guitarist wanted to learn more about music and how we communicate, I needed a simple comprehensive book for those who have little or no knowledge of musical theory to start him on. Luckily I found this text represents all the fundamentals of music in a form that is very coherent, concise and easy to understand even to the novice. From topics such as rhythms, scales, clefs, chords, harmonies, etc...., the author includes a quiz after each chapter. Overall the best attribute to the author is the reader/student easily understands the material. In conclusion, I recommend this text highly and wish I had access to this recourse in my college days. This is a must have book.

 Mike B. (Wethersfield, CT USA)

An all encompassing music theory book. Posted on December 14, 2006. I really loved this book's unique approach to music theory. Being a Music Minor myself, I was looking for an all encompassing book that could serve as a reference to any musical questions I had. I really appreciate how thorough and comprehensive this book is; it starts from the beginning of music theory (how to read music), and moves onto more advanced topics -- could be used by beginners and more seasoned musicians alike. I'll continue to use this book as a resource in my music studies, especially, the glossary of terms, summary of chord symbols, and exercises at the end of each chapter.

Christina T. Minor in Music, Sacred Heart University, CT

Exceptional theory book. Posted on December 10, 2006. A very well thought out book that covers the necessities of music theory. As a performer musician this book will bring me to a new level. For many years I was waiting for a book in its class. Practical and yet very intelligent. It covers more than I ever imagined and more than I ever found in a music theory book, and guides you through the essentials of theory with ease. A book like this may come once in a decade. There is something here that will be learned for the average musician. I see myself to benefit from this book and truly recommend this to any musician at any level. Outstanding,

 Dimos T. Band Leader.

Principles of Music Theory

Excellent book! Posted on September 26, 2008, 12:02 PM EST: As a music major having much difficulty in understanding music theory, this book is the best single volume theory text that I have used so far and recommended to others. This book serves as a wonderful and exemplary introduction to very basic concepts in music theory. Analyzing and illustrating the different variations of scales, harmonies, tonality, inversions, and pitch were of most use to me. I was very impressed by its layout and content, and was very easy to follow. I thoroughly enjoyed the examples illustrated, and the glossary of music terms in the back of the book!

 Kathy Brandeis University, Music Major, Waltham, MA

Valuable music theory book! Posted on February 2, 2007, 4:40 PM EST: This book would be a wise investment for its immense amount of information. For a professional musician like me, it is a great reference aid. For the beginner it starts from the fundamentals, gradually moving in higher level. The harmony section starts from scratch and includes exercises for the beginner. I found the music theory diagrams very useful including scales, modes, chords, key signatures, tempo markings, overtones and more. It includes tablature and guitar notation examples, fake books, lead sheets, chord symbols, instrument & vocal ranges. There is a complete list for woodwinds, brass, stringed instruments and the clefs used for each instrument. There is also the written and the sounding range for transposing instruments. I found the 8 pages of the glossary of musical terms very educational.

 Mike B. Musician/Performer

Ear Training/Dictation Exercises for Musicians - 192 Exercises

Very educating CD. Posted on 12 Dec 2006. I've purchased the "Theory of Music" from the same author and as a performer musician I find this ear training device very important for any musician. I've been struggling for many years now to come across a CD in its class to fulfill my needs for ear training of which I'm in great need for. It starts very basic and rapidly continues to advanced and then continues to even greater exercises. I feel that this CD will help me with the lack of ear training that I have to be able to hear intervals and many advanced chords. I know that I will benefit from this ear training CD and hope that there will be another one to follow soon. I highly recommend this Audio CD for any musician that is looking to take ear training to the next level.

 Dimos T. Band Leader

Rhythm Exercises for Musicians

Very helpful!!!! Posted on October 17, 2008, 11:21 AM EST: This book has helped me a great amount. Since it required no instruments to perform, it was useful to "tap" or "clap" along with the exercises. I saw a great improvement in my rhythm skills, and the instructions were always clear and concise. Interesting, imaginative and fun, these rhythm exercises will be of immense help to all musicians, useful for both home study and in the classroom.

Kathy, Brandeis University, Music Major, Waltham, MA

Concert Music for School Orchestra

Outstanding!!!!! Posted on September 26, 2008, 12:01 PM EST: This book is fantastic! Finding orchestra scores for school students of different levels is always a challenge. This book offers fun and easy-to-read parts and full scores of various styles and difficulty. The flexibility of the instruments offered in the scores made it easy to include even the most rare instruments. Having these scores made it possible to increase the number of students in the school orchestra. I fully recommend this 100%!!

Kathy, Brandeis University, Music Major, Waltham, MA

Chord Symbols in Jazz and Popular Music

Thank you so Much! Posted on May 25, 2009, 3:48 PM EST: I wanted to express my sincere thanks for providing us music students with such a great book. I had to pass a keyboard/theory proficiency test in college, and your book really helped a great deal. Thank you for your detailed fingering, chord symbols, explanations, and diagrams. I recommend this book to all music students, especially anyone who takes music theory and jazz lovers! What a helpful book!

Kathy Brandeis University, Music Major, Waltham, MA

Very useful!! Posted September 26, 2008, 12:00 PM EST: This book is simply the best: it is easy to use, and results in a wonderful learning experience. It serves as such a useful guide when trying to build, create, and play chords. With every chord imaginable being illustrated in full, simple keyboard pictures that were easy to understand, this book is the one source I go to all the time when I need a memory re-fresher or when I have difficulty playing a chord.

Kathy Brandeis University, Music Major, Waltham, MA

Solo Piano for Children

Excellent book! Posted September 26, 2008, 11:58 AM EST: This book is excellent for young children who want to learn to play the piano or keyboard. Since it is imaginatively designed for children with a variety of fun titles to browse through, kids will have a blast choosing which piece to play first! The easy-to-read, fun pieces will help children experience the pleasure and satisfaction of playing songs it will be hard to get them away from the piano! My students love this book!

Kathy, Brandeis University, Music Major, Waltham, MA