Will Metz's main ambition in his first book, Music Theory for Self-Taught Musicians: Level 1: The Basics, was to define and introduce all the main concepts used in music theory (intervals, chords, scales, modes, etc.). He refers to these notions as "tools" because they are what musicians use to create music. Having a clear understanding of these notions is crucial, but it is only the first step . . . One must then understand how to actually use these tools and how they are combined and how they interact. More concretely, this book, Music Theory for Self-Taught Musicians: Level 2: Harmony, Composition, and Improvisation goes in depth into the notions of harmony, composition, and improvisation. It answers one of the most common and troubling questions of any musician, that is: What to play in any given musical context? This is what music theory is all about at the end of the day—learning a bunch of relatively complex notions would make no sense if they didn’t help to compose and create music. This is not rocket science, and anyone can understand the mechanisms of harmony. All of this is explained using the same principles that are in the first book, which means no (or very few) notes written on staff and clear, logical step-by-step explanations. As a self-taught musician, Metz would have given anything to have this book when he decided to start learning harmony and was dabbling with improvisation. Allow him to save you years of time and trial and error and to finally give you the clear and complete understanding of theory you deserve.

This book is the logical continuation of Music Theory for Self-Taught Musicians: Level 1: The Basics. While the previous volume focuses on simply introducing and defining all the main tools and notions essential to understand music theory, this book explains how to use these notions to understand harmony, composition, and improvisation.

It is well known that many musicians, from amateurs to famous professionals, are largely and sometimes exclusively self-taught. Most of the time, these musicians tend to put music theory aside, but there comes a time when many become curious about this science and understand its utility and potential. Unfortunately, they often get discouraged and think it’s too late to learn theory, that they needed to start early, and of course, know how to read. Fortunately, this turns out to be completely untrue. Most self-taught musicians will also turn to books and realize many are written for specialists and those who can already read music. They talk about scales and how to write chords on a staff, but if you are not sure what a note is and it takes you twenty minutes to figure out where a C is, it just adds to the frustration. Yet a late start in learning theory has no impact on the quality of musician you can become and your future ability to understand it. It is not too late! Author Will Metz also felt this frustration, which is why he wrote this book. It was originally written for his "former self," who not too long ago was desperate to learn theory in a way that would finally be clear, coherent, and understandable, while not having to read notes. This is the book he wishes he had back then! There are many people who share this feeling, and his main goal is to provide help and clarity. This book is based on simple, day-to-day common sense, and if you know your alphabet and can count to seven, you will understand theory. You may actually find it surprisingly easy, and it will considerably improve your playing and appreciation for music.

Tune in to how music really works Whether you’re a student, a performer, or simply a fan, this book makes music theory easy, providing you with a friendly guide to the concepts, artistry, and technical mastery that underlie the production of great music. You’ll quickly become fluent in the fundamentals of knocking out beats, reading scores, and anticipating where a piece should go, giving you a deeper perspective on the works of others — and bringing an extra dimension to your own. Tracking to a typical college-level course, Music Theory For Dummies breaks difficult concepts down to manageable chunks and takes into account every aspect of musical production and appreciation — from the fundamentals of notes and scales to the complexities of expression and instrument tone color. It also examines the latest teaching techniques — all the more important as the study of music, now shown to provide cognitive and learning benefits for both children and adults, becomes more prevalent at all levels. Master major and minor scales, intervals, pitches, and clefs Understand basic notation, time signals, tempo, dynamics, and navigation Employ melodies, chords, progressions, and phrases to form music Compose harmonies and accompanying melodies for voice and instruments Wherever you want to go musically — as a writer or performer, or just as someone who wants to enjoy music to its fullest — this approachable guide gives you everything you need to hear!

Beginning with music fundamentals, The Complete Musician covers all the topics necessary for a thorough understanding of undergraduate music theory by focusing on music in context. Rather than rote learning of concepts and terms, this text emphasizes that understanding how theory intersectswith composition and performance is key to seeing its relevance to students' wider musical lives.

An introduction to music theory that offers detailed explanations of topics such as rhythm, pitch, scales, intervals, chords, harmony, and form, and includes illustrations and exercises. Includes CD.

"The reasoning behind the guitar's unique tuning + chords, scales, and arpeggios complete"--Cover.