The Chord Wheel Music Theory Guide | Visual Tool for Guitar Piano and All Instruments | Learn Chords Key Changes and Harmony | Essential Songwriting Resource for Musicians Teachers

by Jim Fleser

(Instructional). Master chord theory ... in minutes! The Chord Wheel is a revolutionary device that puts the most essential and practical applications of chord theory into your hands. This tool will help Improvise and Solo Talk about chops! Comprehend key structure like never before; Transpose Keys Instantly transpose any progression into each and every key; Compose Your Own Music Watch your songwriting blossom! No music reading is necessary. "This is the kind of device that players of any instrument can use to enhance their musical understanding. Chord and key relationships are inseparable, and learning these relationships is a must in becoming a successful musician." Alan Remington, Orange Coast College Music Dept.

Genres: Music, Reference, Nonfiction

12 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2000

Reviews

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cool idea! I am not a trained musician - at age 51 I am coming to learning about music theory and composition as a newby - but I can see how, both for someone at my kindergarten level or for a much more experienced musician, this would be a great tool in the process of composing music. I would recommend this strongly to anyone who writes music or is considering doing so, or just wants to understand some of its structure better.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book elaborates on the circle of 5ths to aid musicians without much formal training to master chords, keys, and some other basics of music theory. The book includes a few simple exercises to evaluate chord progressions and some introduction to keys, key signatures, chords, modulating from one key to another, and when such changes might be used. The book is useful for aspiring musicians, those who want to write their own music, and those in beginning stages of learning an instrument. The Chord Wheel itself is a device which provides an overlay that rotates around the circle of 5ths and lines up the chords, etc. -- so, you can easily find this information. This is quite useful if you are unfamiliar with music theory or are still very new to it. There is also a website for learning more about how to use the Chord Wheel and more about music theory.

[Fer Grajales · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've own this book for 10 years, as a musician, songwriter-producer this might be the most used piece of music theory I use. The front page just does the job when coming up with chords and using this makes it easier to find my way around. I always recommend this book to fellow musician friends and it's really cheap on Amazon. I might get a brand new copy.

[Roberto Castro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a reference book and reminder of music theory; I refer to it when thinking about a melody that was composed and the ways that the composer chose to express a theme or idea (vis-a-vis the other options he or she had developing the composition).

[Fitz Given · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a "book" so much as a nifty tool that I keep by my desk and reference constantly. Great little reference wheel for whenever you need it, with about 17 pages of additional music theory knowledge and wisdom included free of charge.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful tool for songwriters new to music theory.

[Lexie Turpin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Basically everything you need to know about music theory in 15 pages, but the real usefulness is the cover. I’ve had this for years and it’s one of the best investments I’ve made.

[Mex · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit on the thin side, but it does what it does well. A handy refference.

[Nicolas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is half-book, half-tool. On the front you have an expanded version of the circle of fifths with a moving gauge, that makes it easier to understand the properties of a selected key. The book itself is quite short and covers the basic properties of the circle, transposition and other uses.

In theory all this information is available online and experienced musicians will already know about these. But there is a huge gap between knowing the theory and actually beeing able to quickly calculate out all the chords or notes in one key - no matter if for composing, analysis or a transposition.

And this is where this small book comes in very handy. I found myself grasping theoretical concepts I've heard about way better by having a physical possibility to experiment with a moveable wheel while trying them out on an instrument. I'm planning to use this for some analysis as well.

Great Idea 5/5

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

It comes with quite a bit of information, in addition to a link for even MORE information. I love it, am excited to have it. Having a colorful, picture representation really consolidates things for me, makes it more efficient, and the fact that it has reminder material attached directly to it is just icing on the cake.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't understand a lot of it. It's something that's going to progressively make more sense and click into place as soon as my musical learning schema catches up. I keep it close by, because I realize it's going to be a valuable tool.