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Hooktheory I: Music Theory
Alternate-cover edition can be found here
This is the music theory / songwriting book you’ll love. Hooktheory is an intuitive, modern take on music theory that answers the questions you care the most about: Why do certain chords fit together easily, and others not so easily? How can I get from this chord to that chord? How can I create a great sounding melody?
The concepts we teach are applicable to all types of music, but examples are drawn from popular songs you’ve probably heard on the radio. Also, because the explanations are drawn from our TheoryTab format, people that don’t read conventional sheet music will benefit from the concepts we cover just as much as those that do.
The book is 6 chapters long with 41 exercises and 94 audiovisual examples from artists like: Aerosmith, Avicii, Beyonce, Bon Jovi, Bruno Mars, Celine Dion, Daughtry, Diana Ross, Green Day, John Mayer, Journey, Kelly Clarkson, Kenny Chesney, Lady Gaga, Maroon 5, Matchbox 20, Pink, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, The Beatles, The Four Seasons, The Killers, Tom Petty, … and more.
Table of contents:
1. Building Blocks
- The building blocks of music
- Relative notation
- Chords
- Combining chords and melody
- Wrap up
2. Harmony I
- The I chord: home base
- Basic chord function
- The vi chord: a minor sound
- Being creative
- Check for understanding
3. Melody
- Introduction
- Meter
- Stable vs. unstable scale degrees
- Rhythmic patterns
- Melodic themes
- Check for understanding
4. Harmony II
- The iii chord
- The ii chord
5. Inversions
- Introduction
- The I6 chord
- The V6 chord
- The cadential 64 chord
- Pedal harmony
- Final Thoughts
6. Conclusion
- Closing remarks
This is the music theory / songwriting book you’ll love. Hooktheory is an intuitive, modern take on music theory that answers the questions you care the most about: Why do certain chords fit together easily, and others not so easily? How can I get from this chord to that chord? How can I create a great sounding melody?
The concepts we teach are applicable to all types of music, but examples are drawn from popular songs you’ve probably heard on the radio. Also, because the explanations are drawn from our TheoryTab format, people that don’t read conventional sheet music will benefit from the concepts we cover just as much as those that do.
The book is 6 chapters long with 41 exercises and 94 audiovisual examples from artists like: Aerosmith, Avicii, Beyonce, Bon Jovi, Bruno Mars, Celine Dion, Daughtry, Diana Ross, Green Day, John Mayer, Journey, Kelly Clarkson, Kenny Chesney, Lady Gaga, Maroon 5, Matchbox 20, Pink, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, The Beatles, The Four Seasons, The Killers, Tom Petty, … and more.
Table of contents:
1. Building Blocks
- The building blocks of music
- Relative notation
- Chords
- Combining chords and melody
- Wrap up
2. Harmony I
- The I chord: home base
- Basic chord function
- The vi chord: a minor sound
- Being creative
- Check for understanding
3. Melody
- Introduction
- Meter
- Stable vs. unstable scale degrees
- Rhythmic patterns
- Melodic themes
- Check for understanding
4. Harmony II
- The iii chord
- The ii chord
5. Inversions
- Introduction
- The I6 chord
- The V6 chord
- The cadential 64 chord
- Pedal harmony
- Final Thoughts
6. Conclusion
- Closing remarks
- GenresMusicNonfiction
113 pages, ebook
First published June 5, 2012
26 people are currently reading
519 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
October 17, 2018
1.5 stars
Initially, I was going to give this book 2.5 stars and move along with my day, since if you already know even the very basics of music theory, this book will be too simple for you, but when I got to the end, I noticed a simple message.
The book proceeds to give instructions on how to rate a book and even create an account, leading to the extreme ratings shown here. The book itself is fine, sure, but it certainly doesn't deserve its current 4.69 rating, and this "gaming" of the Goodreads system isn't exactly something I'd like to support.
Initially, I was going to give this book 2.5 stars and move along with my day, since if you already know even the very basics of music theory, this book will be too simple for you, but when I got to the end, I noticed a simple message.
If you want to be extra helpful, add Hooktheory I to your "music theory" shelf on Goodreads.
The book proceeds to give instructions on how to rate a book and even create an account, leading to the extreme ratings shown here. The book itself is fine, sure, but it certainly doesn't deserve its current 4.69 rating, and this "gaming" of the Goodreads system isn't exactly something I'd like to support.
October 13, 2014
This book was phenomenal. My time with HookTheory was one of the most lucid and enjoyable educational experiences I've ever had. As an amateur piano player who has always just read and played the sheet music, the number of "aha!" moments I had while reading was enough to keep me going back to the HookTheory website to try their daily dictations as I wait eagerly for the sequel.
HookTheory is the quintessential example of technology being used in a modest and focused way to make learning so much more intuitive. The music widget perfectly illustrated the points in the text while letting me progress and repeat sections at my own pace.
I also appreciate the authors' decision to divorce their explanations from any particular musical key. It was a wise choice that allows readers to really understand the underlying principles without getting caught up in note names.
Bravo. I loved it!
HookTheory is the quintessential example of technology being used in a modest and focused way to make learning so much more intuitive. The music widget perfectly illustrated the points in the text while letting me progress and repeat sections at my own pace.
I also appreciate the authors' decision to divorce their explanations from any particular musical key. It was a wise choice that allows readers to really understand the underlying principles without getting caught up in note names.
Bravo. I loved it!
December 6, 2014
Anybody interested in learning music theory and writing songs should really check out the site, Hooktheory. It is an online (or mobile) interactive theory textbook that teaches music theory using popular music (eg. Rock) and an innovative system of notation. It also has an associated web app called HookPad that greatly assists you in writing songs by guiding you as to what chords might work best in what you're writing based on an analysis of what is most common in existing popular songs. It's awesome!
November 20, 2014
Best music theory book period. Don't look anywhere else because Hook theory has it all.
July 12, 2019
Taught me more about music than years of piano lessons.
August 3, 2014
THIS! This book has completely reinforced and changed my life as a producer and song writer! There was an understand that I THOUGHT I had as a music producer. I've never been classically trained nor trained at all, but I've dug into thousands of Music Theory tutorials that have given me a solid understanding. But! What the guys here at Hooktheory have done for me is give me a solid understanding of the FUNCTION of EVERY CHORD! They've answered the question "WHY does that 'FEEL' the way it does?" Man I could go on for hours about this book, but to make it short, it has given me the understanding to write my songs ON PURPOSE! To correctly express a FEELING through the use of harmony and melody. THANK YOU GUYS!! I LOVE THIS BOOK.
August 8, 2014
I enjoyed this book a lot !! For the given price, I didn't expect to learn that much, they made a very good job in making music theory fun to learn while explaining everything in detail !
They alwas provide you examples and exercises to make sure you understand everything :) I can't find anything negative to say about it, I was convinced by it and totally recommend it ! Try it for yourself, they have a very good website by the way : www.hooktheory.com
They alwas provide you examples and exercises to make sure you understand everything :) I can't find anything negative to say about it, I was convinced by it and totally recommend it ! Try it for yourself, they have a very good website by the way : www.hooktheory.com
October 16, 2014
The Book is the Final Touch after you understand Music Theory,it gave me that kind of thing that I was looking for but never found.If you are serious about making Music this book is a number 1 Choice.
November 14, 2017
I am mostly a self-taught musician so I don't have much experience with music theory. I was looking for something that would teach me the basics in a way that was easy to understand - this book was perfect!!! It was exactly what I hoped it would be, thank you!!
November 28, 2017
Good starting point for understanding most popular music. I noticed that some reviewer commented on the fact that a lot of details are missing, on more advanced harmony, for example, and it is true; but this book is still a valuable resource and it presents information in a very user friendly way which is reminiscent of the way jazz music is taught. This is important because if you want to dig deeper into harmony at some point, this book will have provided you with a good foundation.
Most popular music is built around a single key with, in some cases, some modulation (temporary use of another key in some part of the song, the bridge for instance). People who want to get off the beaten path will probably need to look elsewhere to further their research. The author does say at some point that you need to know the rules before you can break them and that is absolutely true.
I have once heard a very beautiful melody composed on top of a series of major chords (only) carefully chosen around the circle of fifth (in other words, shifting from key to key as the melody progresses). Talk about breaking the rules! If you are curious, I am referring to the song titled “Mindscan VI - Hybrid child” from District 97 (I am in no way associated with them, but I find what they do harmonically and rhythmically very interesting).
This book will not teach you this type of rule breaking, but I think it will allow you to understand or discover what is going on when the rules are in fact broken.
Most popular music is built around a single key with, in some cases, some modulation (temporary use of another key in some part of the song, the bridge for instance). People who want to get off the beaten path will probably need to look elsewhere to further their research. The author does say at some point that you need to know the rules before you can break them and that is absolutely true.
I have once heard a very beautiful melody composed on top of a series of major chords (only) carefully chosen around the circle of fifth (in other words, shifting from key to key as the melody progresses). Talk about breaking the rules! If you are curious, I am referring to the song titled “Mindscan VI - Hybrid child” from District 97 (I am in no way associated with them, but I find what they do harmonically and rhythmically very interesting).
This book will not teach you this type of rule breaking, but I think it will allow you to understand or discover what is going on when the rules are in fact broken.
March 3, 2024
Outstanding. Better than every theory book due to the software that comes with it to play and hear. This has done more for my chord progressions and sense of energy control, deception, and artistic control than any other resource so far and has been like a gateway between connecting previous ear training to applied song understanding and my own song writing.
I remember not that long ago being well aware of I IV V and hearing it in a classroom context easily. As well as I practiced enough ear training drills to be able to hear any melody and play it back without guessing (diatonic and modes I'm familiar with at least). However being able to hear I IV V in realtime while playing over it always eluded me for the most part, and I would resort to playing by ear in a not totally effective way that was disconnected from understanding what was going on and more of falling back to hunting for notes until I figured out the chord, then able to unlock my control of the melody again. The chord crush that comes along with this package was great for practicing that and beyond. Super solid combo of products I love. Thanks HookTheory/HookPad/ChordCrush for the amazingly solid educational material that puts to focus on in-context learning, a perfect case study of Make Learning Whole applied to music education.
Can't thank you enough!
I remember not that long ago being well aware of I IV V and hearing it in a classroom context easily. As well as I practiced enough ear training drills to be able to hear any melody and play it back without guessing (diatonic and modes I'm familiar with at least). However being able to hear I IV V in realtime while playing over it always eluded me for the most part, and I would resort to playing by ear in a not totally effective way that was disconnected from understanding what was going on and more of falling back to hunting for notes until I figured out the chord, then able to unlock my control of the melody again. The chord crush that comes along with this package was great for practicing that and beyond. Super solid combo of products I love. Thanks HookTheory/HookPad/ChordCrush for the amazingly solid educational material that puts to focus on in-context learning, a perfect case study of Make Learning Whole applied to music education.
Can't thank you enough!
February 11, 2023
So starting to learn music theory a couple of years ago I saw this but avoided buying theese books because it looked too much like an easy way out and I thought it coulden't possibly deliver what it promised. So I took other online classes and read other books. Getting to a level of collage music theory second semester I was frustrated that I still couldent analyze a pop song and understand what was going on and why the composer has choosed to do what he/she had done. Someone then advised this book and the Music Theory II book and I have to say it delivered bigtime. Maybe prior knowledge made it easier for me but I read both books in a couple of weeks and two years of knowledge suddenly fell into place in a logical manner. Theese books are not a shortcut to writing a hit song that many books seems to be. They are thorogh music theory books but written in an extreamly pedagogic and innovative way so that learning gets very easy. I highly reccomend theese. By the way you do not have to buy the hookpad software to benefit from theese books. If you have a DAW you will instantly be able to use the same methods in your own compositions. If you plan to write traditionally on staff paper it might be harder to brigde the knowledge but you will get there. Highly reccomended.
January 24, 2018
It’s great to see an approach to music theory that doesn’t spend so long dwelling a single topic that you fail get a broad overview before the first idea have long since faded. Hooktheory moves along at a refreshing clip, jumping from topic to topic with examples that are likely to be familiar to a casual listener rather than a dedicated student. The audiovisual elements in electronic additions help drive po8nts home and overall its very effective.
It’s also quite brief, considering the price point. I’d have liked to see a little more supplementary material to dig deeper into each topic after the overview, but I do appreciate the work for what it is. The quizzes are interesting but lean a little to the prescriptive for my taste in one or two cases. I’d have liked to see more than just the answer the authors were looking for, but rather an explanation for each answer regarding why it’s wholly inappropriate, or in some cases why it’s merely suboptimal.
It’s also quite brief, considering the price point. I’d have liked to see a little more supplementary material to dig deeper into each topic after the overview, but I do appreciate the work for what it is. The quizzes are interesting but lean a little to the prescriptive for my taste in one or two cases. I’d have liked to see more than just the answer the authors were looking for, but rather an explanation for each answer regarding why it’s wholly inappropriate, or in some cases why it’s merely suboptimal.
October 30, 2020
As a songwriter, I am always interested in learning as much as I can about music theory to improve my songs and evoke the emotions of listeners in an effective and intelligent way. I have taken four semesters of traditional harmony at a junior college and one year of private music theory lessons. But that was a long time ago, and I still never attained the level of knowledge that I was seeking to have a rock-solid understanding of how everything works and why.
The authors did a great job of breaking it all down for readers by taking complex concepts and making them easier to understand, including great musical examples which really helps me to learn the sounds and effects of the concepts being discussed. I started using Hookpad to start new songs and love it! It is so much easier to explore different chord progressions, melodies, inversions, basslines, etc.
Great job on Hooktheory I! Now on to Hooktheory II.
The authors did a great job of breaking it all down for readers by taking complex concepts and making them easier to understand, including great musical examples which really helps me to learn the sounds and effects of the concepts being discussed. I started using Hookpad to start new songs and love it! It is so much easier to explore different chord progressions, melodies, inversions, basslines, etc.
Great job on Hooktheory I! Now on to Hooktheory II.
March 31, 2021
I've been trying to study music theory for many months now, probably around 8-10, and after watching dozens of YouTube videos and testing out how solid the foundations I had built were in Ableton Live, I realized that I still hardly knew anything. But I feel like this book fantastically synthesized everything I need to know into one, relatively concise book.
I got a good idea of the basics of everything- major, minor, building chords, building chord progressions, building melodies, stable and unstable degrees, chord inversions. I feel like I have a very solid foundational understanding now of how I can construct contemporary music, or I can at least see now how popular songs are built and how they appease to the constraints of music theory.
I was just going to type that the book seems a bit short for the price, but after second thought, I got such immense value from the book that I could see myself paying $50 for it.
Definitely worth the buy.
I got a good idea of the basics of everything- major, minor, building chords, building chord progressions, building melodies, stable and unstable degrees, chord inversions. I feel like I have a very solid foundational understanding now of how I can construct contemporary music, or I can at least see now how popular songs are built and how they appease to the constraints of music theory.
I was just going to type that the book seems a bit short for the price, but after second thought, I got such immense value from the book that I could see myself paying $50 for it.
Definitely worth the buy.
April 7, 2024
As a beginner songwriter, I've been looking for something to help learn music theory in a quick and easy-to-understand format. Along with the writing tool, HookPad, and the second book, HookTheory II (the sequel), this book series has been arguably the greatest learning tool I've had in my musical journey. I've played guitar for 15 years, played in a performing band, and jammed with many other musicians, and I've possibly learned more about music from HookTheory in two weeks than in all that experience combined. The authors have made the material relatable to even the most untrained ear. The audio examples have linked up some of the subconscious knowledge I already had from my experience with a conscious understanding and ability to define what I am listening to and what I write. I can't thank HookTheory enough!
June 4, 2020
I have played jazz for about 15 years but always have struggled with improvisation. I have a book shelf of books on music theory, but understanding chord progressions and how to make sense of them has always eluded me. This ingenious book offers to solve all that for me.
Without using any written music notation the authors have developed a visual analog system that appears very simple. They begin very simply and take you through intervals, consonance, dissonance, and diatonic chords painlessly. They do a great job of explaining each chords function in a progression's context. Using copious popular music examples they explain each step. There are questions and problems that test your understanding well. I could have used a few more.
I am looking forward to working in book II.
Without using any written music notation the authors have developed a visual analog system that appears very simple. They begin very simply and take you through intervals, consonance, dissonance, and diatonic chords painlessly. They do a great job of explaining each chords function in a progression's context. Using copious popular music examples they explain each step. There are questions and problems that test your understanding well. I could have used a few more.
I am looking forward to working in book II.
August 30, 2022
I've studied a lot of music theory in my 10 years as an amateur bass player and this is my favorite book thus far. The authors use a method of analysis called Relative Notation which revolutionizes the learner's ability to visualize a song's structure (melody and chords). This approach made it so easy for me so more clearly see musical concepts from song to song. It was like getting my first pair of glasses when I was a kid...the world just came into focus!
In addition, there are plenty of musical examples and review questions peppered throughout the book to assure that the reader is comprehending concepts. It was just a really fun way to learn!
In addition, there are plenty of musical examples and review questions peppered throughout the book to assure that the reader is comprehending concepts. It was just a really fun way to learn!
October 1, 2017
If you're a songwriter or an aspiring songwriter without a solid understanding of music theory as it applies to popular music, I cannot recommend this ebook highly enough. In a very concise, clear, practical, and focused manner, this ebook covers the elements of music theory required to construct good chord progressions and melodies. It takes advantage of the ebook format to give audio/visual examples of everything it presents, which increases its learning value immensely. I've never seen anything else like it.
December 1, 2023
The book is excellent.
There is only one drawback to it.
There is no dark mode.
I use if very little because the glaring light simply blinds me.
I tried to use a third party app to induce dark mode, but it doesn't work.
Hopefully Hooktheory can make their own dark mode, so people with sensitivity to BRIGHT LIGHT could take full advantage of the gems within it.
The app itself does revert to something resembling dark mode with Night Shift Chrome ext.
A good thing.
Because I like their app quite a lot...
There is only one drawback to it.
There is no dark mode.
I use if very little because the glaring light simply blinds me.
I tried to use a third party app to induce dark mode, but it doesn't work.
Hopefully Hooktheory can make their own dark mode, so people with sensitivity to BRIGHT LIGHT could take full advantage of the gems within it.
The app itself does revert to something resembling dark mode with Night Shift Chrome ext.
A good thing.
Because I like their app quite a lot...
November 13, 2018
If you are a real beginner in music and want to learn music theory you should really check this book out.
This book will give anyone the strong foundation and the basics to start in music. The book has the syntax like explanation and then example of that whats been taught. And also has questions to round that up if you actually understood what was being taught.
After reading this book I think why didn't I read this book earlier!
This book will give anyone the strong foundation and the basics to start in music. The book has the syntax like explanation and then example of that whats been taught. And also has questions to round that up if you actually understood what was being taught.
After reading this book I think why didn't I read this book earlier!
November 22, 2018
I'm not a big music guy but I got this because I wanted to learn a little bit about music as a side hobby from a more mathematical/pattern perspective.
Frankly, this book taught me more about music in 3 hours than 6 years of taking music classes in public school did.
It's got everything you want in a real-world model: concise, few components, handles all cases, simple. It simplifies everything tremendously. I don't understand why all music isn't written in their syntax.
Frankly, this book taught me more about music in 3 hours than 6 years of taking music classes in public school did.
It's got everything you want in a real-world model: concise, few components, handles all cases, simple. It simplifies everything tremendously. I don't understand why all music isn't written in their syntax.
March 16, 2020
Honestly, I was expecting a book with lots of things to cover but I've been brought to a lot of understanding under only 5 (+ conclusion) chapters?! The topics seemed less intimidating to learn than I originally anticipated, explaining why and how certain chords and melody work in different situations and I need to applaud the authors for doing such a wonderful job creating this easy-to-follow and fun guide! Definitely recommending this to whoever is interested in music theory!
December 12, 2023
As a 66yr old piano learner (with some guitar experience). This book, together with Book II is an excellent method of learning how songs are structured. Combined with HookPad, I have made some serious progress.
One, technical, observation. These are eBooks, therefore they really should have the ability to bookmark pages - they don't. Irritating, but not enough to drop any stars.
Highly recommended.
One, technical, observation. These are eBooks, therefore they really should have the ability to bookmark pages - they don't. Irritating, but not enough to drop any stars.
Highly recommended.
July 28, 2019
Wow, this came highly recommended from several people, repeatedly. Now I see why. It really simplifies so much of the fundamentals. I had more aha! moments in 2 days reading this, than I did in years of Band, Piano lessons, Guitar lessons, beginner music theory courses... Seriously, if you want a crash course in music theory, start here.
June 5, 2022
Great and easy to read introduction to music theory. Their system is intuitive, well explained, and has many examples from songs that I know. I've actually got a background in classical piano and music theory, and I learned some things! But it's also absolutely suited to beginners who want to understand how to listen to and write modern music.
November 13, 2024
It's been a while since I finished a book this eagerly. I love this form of book/education! It is interactive and fun. It's accompanied by very good audio examples you can play with, so I can't imagine a traditional book is able to do similar things. Every day I learn something fun and new, and I can't wait to get into part II of the series
January 8, 2019
Without question they use the best way to teach music theory. I’ve been looking for a long time for a book that teaches it using this method. The interactive features help as well. I highly recommend this to anyone that wants to learn music theory, especially if they’re an electronic musician.
October 28, 2019
A short, simple, and sweet book about music theory, with examples easy to understand and visualize.
Definitely would recommend to anyone lost in the world of music, that wants to learn a little more.
Definitely would recommend to anyone lost in the world of music, that wants to learn a little more.
April 15, 2022
Excellent "book"
This is a very good help to lerarn about chords and melody.
Also a huge song database, which contains some of my favorites (Nobuo Uematsu FF6 & 7).
Makes it simple to understand, even for a non-musician.
Unfortunately, I didn't have this in school back then :-)
This is a very good help to lerarn about chords and melody.
Also a huge song database, which contains some of my favorites (Nobuo Uematsu FF6 & 7).
Makes it simple to understand, even for a non-musician.
Unfortunately, I didn't have this in school back then :-)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews