An Understandable Guide to Music Theory: The Most Useful Aspects of Theory for Rock, Jazz, and Blues Musicians

by Charles Bufe

This guide explains the most useful aspects of theory in clear, nontechnical language. Areas covered include scales (major, minor, modal, synthetic), chord formation, chord progression, melody, song forms, useful devices, (ostinato, mirrors, hocket, etc.), and instrumentation. It contains over 100 musical examples.

Genres: Music

74 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The introduction makes it very clear that "An Understandable Guide to Music Theory is a 'user's manual' which concentrates on those aspects of theory that are of most practical use to people playing and writing music". So, it would be totally unfair to judge it from the standpoint of a beginner without prior musical experience. Having said this, I proceed with my opinion:

I can say that it's nicely organized and explanations are concise. I also appreciate the vast amount of examples provided right after an explanation. However, it is written methodically and descriptively, just like a textbook and it doesn't give the "friendly, relaxed vibe" some new books have with their everyday life examples and comparisons that help increase cognitive ease (make new terms and ideas easier to grasp, often comparing to things you already know, therefore decreasing mental struggle). Depending on your taste, this can be a good or bad thing.

I took my time reviewing this book because I tried learning more about the subject from different sources and I can say it suits really well as a support guide meant to be used in a classroom or as reference material when you are in doubt of something specific and need a quick and easy explanation.

Main subjects include:
Scales
Chords
Chord progressions
Melody
Form
Useful techniques (Ostinato, Pedal tone, hocket, pointillism, rhythmic variation, mirrors, doubling, etc.)
Instrumentation

*I got this book so that I could give my honest opinion about it

[GONZA · Rating 4 out of 5]

This guide is very understandable, what I found difficult is Music Theory in itself :) I tried again and maybe now I learned a little bit more, but there are still things that I will not ever understand and will left me forever at the hobby level.

Questa guida é davvero molto comprensibile, cosa che non si puó dire della teoria musicale in generale, ma continueró a provarci anche se ci sono delle cose che non capiró mai e che mi condannano, come farebbe Dante, a rimanere nel girone musicale dei musicisti per hobby :)

THANKS NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and very to-the-point, but beyond my current understanding level. I liked the inclusion of the various examples.

[Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m giving it five stars not for depth of content but for reaching its objective. It’s short enough to be quickly referenced, well written, and easy to understand. Simple

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

#AnUnderstandableGuideToMusicTheory #NetGalley

Since 1994, this is one of the reference book used in the classroom. The theory is well explained and this book can be an excellent companion book for an introductory class.