Light Reading | Forums

[Steel_Nirvana]

For the musicians among us: if you were to recommend a single book to learn music theory in an accessible way, which would it be? Bonus points if it's available in e-format.

I've got a 21-hour plane trip coming up, and need something to read.

[nadagretsch]

Music Theory by Tom Kolb is a good book. It is written specifically for guitar.

[bradiam]

Justin Sandercoe's Practical Music Theory.

Great resource, and not written in that weird hieroglyphic code that a lot of others are in. very useful ebook.

http://www.justinguitar.com/en/PR-01...usicTheory.php

[JanEgilS]

I like this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Music-Theory-F...ref=pd_sim_b_2

[Pancho X1]

Music Theory by Tom Kolb is a good book. It is written specifically for guitar.

+1 on this. I think there is an e version but the text and examples are small and the book contains quizes which you can't do on screen on the e versions. plus it comes with a cd for the ear training and the e versions don't have that either from what I read. but I would recomend the hard copy for sure.

http://www.amazon.com/Music-Theory-G...ory+for+guitar

[rchiav]

Two that I have are

Fretboard Logic

Guitar Fretboard Work

They certainly aren't the end all, be all of of guitar and music theory, but they're both a really good place to get started.

[HadOne2Many]

Just throwing this out there, but your local library probably has quite a few. I'd check out a couple then buy whatever on I feel is the most helpful. Hell they may even have e-versions you can check out for free.

[SeattleSauve]

Man, I don't find any music theory 'light reading'... Maybe go get Slash's Auto-Biography, that will be an easier read, couple of good stories in there including how they came up the "paradise city" lyrics.

[Typhoon7M]

Music Theory for Practical People by Ed Roseberg, very good read, fun too, and yes it can be had as a PDF!

Free PDF Sample

[steel_string]

I'd say The Everything Music Theory Book, by Marc Schonbrun. It's the only one I've seen with a substantial amount of easy-to-read explanatory text. I found it to be a lot better than the Kolb book.