Theory books?

[koogie2k]

I am kinda in a rut and was wondering if anyone has any good recommendations on some music theory books. I was hoping for something that is relatively easy to read and understand. I am not looking to play Mozart quite yet....

Basically how chords are built and what they mean and what goes with what kinda of stuff........Thanks for any responses.

 

[Supreeth]

Koog:

One of the best books I've ever read is "The Guitar Handbook" by Ralph Denyer. It has an amazing section on building chords in addition to teaching you a lot about the instrument itself. I've had the book for 10 years now, and still learn something new everytime I flip through it.

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0679742751/qid=1106251050/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_b_2_1/103-3464545-2603832]Guitar Handbook[/ame]

You can also try the book called "Chord Chemistry" by Ted Greene. Steve Vai recommends this book in one of his "Martian love secrets" lessons.

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0898986966/qid=1106250718/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/103-3464545-2603832?v=glance&s=books&n=507846]Chord Chemistry[/ame]

Another great book would be the "Modern Method for Guitar: Volumes 1, 2, 3 Complete" by William Leavitt. This book is published by Berkelee music press and is used as a reference at Berkelee school of music.

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0876390114/qid=1106250830/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_b_2_1/103-3464545-2603832]Modern Method for Guitar[/ame]

Hope this helps,
Supreeth

 

[jongitarz]

I can recomend Chord Chemistry. I knew Ted back in the day. Haven't seen him in years, but that guy could play!

 

[kbaim]

Put in the Juber DVD. That should do it.

Also, give a different tuning like DADGAD (low to high) a try.

I've found they work wonders to help break out of feeling like you're in a rut. You can't automatically go to chord shapes you're used to or scales and lead patterns you might find yourself repeating.

Everything is new and requires experimenting. Once you find a cool riff or progression, build it into a song if possible. Open notes along with a few fretted ones can go a long, long way in this tuning.

Or come see steve Morse

 

[Raz]

I've also begun dabbling into the theory, and this free site, although basic, taught me some interesting things:
Music Theory

Now it starts off with the very basics, but in no time you'll learn some helpful knowledge!

 

[mcvinyl]

I second Supreeth on those three books. I have all three and they are great.

Two more I would recommend are The Guitar Grimoire series, I have Progressions & Improvisations, Chords & Voicings as well as Scales & Modes. They're pretty deep but they cover pretty much everything. I think they're available on DVD now too.

Also another great book is the Musicians Institute Guitar Fretboard Workbook.

Simon

 

[NorM]

Or come see steve Morse

You are so right Keith

Then after that try learning some Steve Morse. That will teach you the theroy and put what you know in perspective. Provided you are not so intimidated you just leave your ax on the street. Your choice.

 

[OrangeChannel]

I'd drop sme cash on a good chord book and just pick a few at random to try and stretch your fingers out on....also for rut breaking....try getting into some varied stuff....Miles Davis Bitches Brew or some Mahavishnu Orchestra would be a great start.

 

[koogie2k]

Thanks...will pick up most if not all of these.

 

[phatduckk]

cool post. ive actually been wanting a good chord thoery book too; so thanks for the post and the recomendations.

amazon says Chord Chemistry will ship in 4 weeks. 4 weeks??? WTF.
hmmm, maybe ill jsut get the other one(s)

 

[SteveB]

I have the Guitar Grimoire books and they do show just about every possible thing you can put together on the fretboard. But they don't do a great job of teaching theory in my opinion. (And I'm a guy who sat through 4 years of music theory and composition classes in high school.) They are like a (fantastic) reference book if you know the material, but they are not a tutorial, IMHO.

 

[Supreeth]

I have the guitar grimoire DVD's, and they seem to be a companion to the books and not a substitute for them. The DVD's are actually more basic than the books and tell you how to read the books (once you get over the appearance of the guy in the cloak, the material is awesome ) Just my 0.02

 

[sundar]

I have the guitar grimoire DVD's, and they seem to be a companion to the books and not a substitute for them. The DVD's are actually more basic than the books and tell you how to read the books (once you get over the appearance of the guy in the cloak, the material is awesome ) Just my 0.02

Yeah that DVD feels more like Dungeons and Dragons as opposed to guitar instruction.

 

[SteveB]

that's cool.. I didn't even know there were companion DVD's for Guitar Grimoire.
That would make the books much more useful to those unfamiliar with theory.

I spent 4 years learning theory from a guy in a suit, so the executioner's robe outfit might make things interesting.. hahaha.

 

[mico]

"Chords and Scales for Guitarists" by David Mead is recomended. A fun read that explains things in a way that is easy to understand.

 

[Ali]

Dorling Kindersley's "Guitar"


I'll get my coat

 

[mcvinyl]

that's cool.. I didn't even know there were companion DVD's for Guitar Grimoire.
That would make the books much more useful to those unfamiliar with theory.

I spent 4 years learning theory from a guy in a suit, so the executioner's robe outfit might make things interesting.. hahaha.

"Executioners robe" I love it

That's what my wife will be wearing if I tell her I'm ordering one of those new Morses.

I could always hope the robe will get in the way and that I can run faster than her though.

Simon