The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory, 2nd Edition

by Michael Miller

A music theory book that hits the high note … This updated and expanded edition of The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Music Theory breaks down a difficult subject in a simple way—even for those who think they have no rhythm or consider themselves tone deaf. With clear, concise language, it explains everything from bass-clef basics to confusing codas. This new edition
-A brand-new CD
-A comprehensive ear-training section
-Musical examples of intervals, scales, chords, and rhythms
-Aural exercises so readers can test their ear training and transcription skills

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Reference, Theory, Textbooks

336 pages, Paperback

First published September 6, 2005

Reviews

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a useful book enough depth to explain chord progressions, turnarounds,
chord substitutions and counterpoint. Now I am going to practice the techniques
and use the CD from the book for ear training - to recognise intervals, chords
and rhythms.

[BookSweetie · Rating 3 out of 5]

COMMENTS: These remarks relate to the text of the Second Edition PAPERBACK which I read cover to cover, but not to the accompanying Audio CD for Ear Training -- which I did not LISTEN to at all.

STRONG SUGGESTION: Have a piano or keyboard available to help understand the text.

GENERAL: Are you somebody who has had least SOME previous musical instrument playing experience or basic music education? Are you good at self-study? Are the topics in the contents below of any interest to you? Do you know something about music, but you have gaps? Maybe this is the book for you.

I had in-home piano lessons for 4-5 years in my much younger days. In retrospect, I am so thankful that my teacher (who moonlighted playing jazz and popular music) taught me all about chords in his last couple years of teaching --just before HIS "nervous breakdown" kaboshed my piano lessons (permanently for me, as it turned out) -- so I have had many years to enjoy playing popular music that might have minimal notation - say, a melody line with a few accompanying chords.

Hah! I wasn't even sure what there was to know that I didn't know. Turns out there is a LOT and I am delighted to have encountered this information-rich guide to pick up where my education left off.

I took a bunch of notes to help my attention and memory. I found it fairly easy to follow in most sections -- and I loved having end of chapter questions to answer -- but I have been playing and improvising, too, for quite a while

and cannot jump into a mindset of someone who might encounter more of this for the very first time. I therefore suggest taking a look at the content topics below to see if this warrants your further interest.


Part 1 Tones

1 Pitches and Clefs
2 Intervals
3 Scales
4 Major and Minor Keys

Part 2 Rhythms

5 Note Values and Basic Notation
6 Time Signatures
7 Tempo, Dynamics, and Navigation

Part 3 Tunes

8 Melodies
9 Chords
10 Chord Progressions
11 Phrases and Form

Part 4 Accompanying

12 Transcribing What You Hear
13 Accompanying Melodies
14 Transposing to Other Keys

Part 5 Embellishing

15 Harmony and Counterpoint
16 Chord Substitutions and Turnarounds
17 Special Notation

Part 6 Arranging

18 Composing and Arranging for Voices and Instruments
19 Lead Sheets and Scores
20 Performing Your Music

Appendices
A Music Glossary
B Chord Reference
C Answers to Chapter Exercises


FINALLY: The web link given in the end of the book in order to find the corrections didn't work for me. I believe the book may no longer be for sale (new) in the second edition paperback version.

[Ray Perreault · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm an amateur everything, including musician. This book has become my stand by reference. I'm an engineer and I enjoy the structure and theory behind music; it is fascinating.

Great book if you want to learn something to impress your neighbors and friends.

[David Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as thorough as some theory texts, but written to be accessible----that by itself makes it worth its weight in gold as a supplement to any Music Theory class.

[Mindy Schaper · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this a few times, that's how good it was. Clear, interesting, made for dummies like me.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why I read this book: I’m trying to learn the bits of music theory that I didn’t pay enough attention to during my years of piano lessons to help with my music arranging.

Format: Paperback, borrowed from the Rochester Central Library.

Synopsis: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Music Theory is meant to be a crash course in teaching music theory to the music illiterate. It seemed to be intended more for someone who wanted to compose music rather than someone who wanted to learn to read music in order to play an instrument.

What I Thought: ”Well, that was a waste of time, I’m glad I only borrowed it from the library and didn’t buy it.”
FYI: I took piano for about 6 years, and kept up regular practice for about 4 years after my lessons stopped. I consider my piano skill level to be intermediate to advanced intermediate. For the past 8 years I have been taking mandolin lessons. It’s a bit harder to guess at my mandolin skill level, my best guess is early intermediate.

The Author, Michael Miller: At some point I wondered what qualified this guy to be writing about music, let alone composing it. He’s a drummer and studied Jazz. I’d like to see a few more qualifications from someone who thinks they’re going to teach me music theory and composition.
Music 101: Given my musical skill level, it is my opinion that I should be able to pick up any “learn music basics” book and not only understand it but also be able to teach or explain the content to someone. I spent a fair amount of time puzzling out what was meant by the words that Mr. Miller chose to use. It struck me more as a scientific way of talking about how music works rather than using words musicians actually use. Dumbing down the terms and concepts to such an extent became problematic in the section on chords. Eventually the terminology became more musically correct, clashing with the early part of the book.
Point of View: While The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Music Theory isn’t meant only for those who intend to compose on a piano, the exercises and explanations seemed very piano-centric.

The Bottom Line: The only people this book might be useful for would be those who have only learned TAB or who only play by ear and need or want should learn to read the ‘dots’ instead. However, I’m sure there are other books that will do a far better job of teaching the same thing with far more clarity.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good introduction to the basics of music theory, but the amount of material it covers is so vast that it lacks a very serious treatment of anything. That being said, it is quite clearly written and perhaps an excellent place to start diving into concepts which could take many many book to fully explore.
I also haven't tried the ear training course, but that the book includes this as a CD seems like a useful plus.

[Daniel Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking to learn about music theory and have no previous experiences, this is the book for you. It's geared towards the beginner and will teach you nothing if you know a little something already (i.e. chord progressions, arpeggios, etc.).

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book better than Music Theory for Dummies. Very thorough and just right for us music idiots. This book is recommended by the BYU Music Department for their beginning theory classes. Great reference for music teachers.

[mkh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I continually use this for reference. However, there are some minute details that the author doesn't cover, which can be imperative to understanding music theory.

Added bonus for the ear training CD, that I have yet to use.

[Glenn Sharpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

reading right now....enjoy easy to understand approach..efficient approach.

[Matthew]

So far, pretty good. Fairly basic, but it reinforces what I've learned before!

[Apri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned music since childhood, but in a different language. I think this book is a good one for introduction or beginners, who would like to compose or range music.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

a quick look up.

[Erek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good book for learning music theory at a minimal level. Never too complex or too detailed.

[Brandon Sawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent primer for me and my fellow complete idiots. I bought and read it just for funsies, but it's affected the way I listen to music.

[Tambor · Rating 4 out of 5]

very helpful book. will keep it close as reference.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good beginner's introduction to the basics.

[Sami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent reference and introduction

[Jordan Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most practical guide for beginner composers I have ever read. This book made a different in my life.

[Powerofthehero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice. Musical knowledge upgraded +3 points

[Candice · Rating 2 out of 5]

Coco Chanel said “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off”. For this author I would adapt that advice to “Before you go to print, look at the title (which promises to teach a complete idiot) and take 55 concepts out of your book”. I was in tears over The Intervals of the Mixolydian and the author hadn’t even explained a damn quarter note.

Just because you KNOW it doesn’t mean you should throw it ALL in a book; especially a book assuming that a reader has no prior knowledge of the subject. A truly gifted teacher explains simply, edits, and knows his audience. I’m not impressed with his knowledge; I’d have been more impressed with his ability to convey it to me, should he have done so.

[LadyRemy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I played saxophone in intermediate and middle school and then piano in college. All that to say that it has been a while since I've performed music. I recently took up another instrument and ordered this book through the library to refamiliarize myself with notes, especially the bass clef as I've never touched that. This is a great book for anyone wanting to learn to read music and learn the terminology. I mostly skimmed over what I already knew and dove into the unknown sections and it was very helpful. There are some nice, short tests in this book to practice your knowledge as you go. I would supplement with internet tests, there are plenty free ones online you can use.

[Carlos Ramos · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy to read book about music theory, that gives you a nice overview of scales, modes, chords, progressions, and some more arcane stuff I did not even know or suspected existed.

In all, a nice overview to start in the world of music theory.

[Dan Nerren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book to see what was missing in my music education. It turns out that I was familiar with almost all of the concepts discussed. Following each chapter is a section of exercises to check your learning. I found the book useful as a review of my music education.

[Rie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Straightforward

[Gary Merrill]

The only intelligible an worthwhile book on music theory I've every found. Very easy to read and understand.

[Ri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book, helped me learn more about music theory and solved some of the confusion I had about some music sheet reading.

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

Very good book. Learned a ton from it. Thank you Mr Miller. It is a pleasure to be immersed in the subject

[Sanntint · Rating 4 out of 5]

well-informed about music theory with plenty of exercises.