The Musician's Guide to Theory and Analysis [With CD (Audio)]

This is one of the best beginning music theory textbooks I have used. The writing follows a logical progression in the presentation and development of subjects. The expositions of the subjects are understandable and concise. There are ample examples and exercises. The authors obviously understand their field and definitely know best how to present it.

I bought this book after thoroughly researching music theory book possibilities here. I have been studying music theory in a class with the Benward book, but I did not do well as I wanted on a placement test for university transfer, and I do not easily understand Benward. When this book arrived, it did not take me long to know this is just what I am looking for to review music theory on my own. I opened to figured bass and there were easy to understand verbal and musical explanations right there that took a year for me to understand in theory class. Wish I had this book last year, I would have understood the key concepts in a day. I like also that there are many exercises I can do to test my knowledge, and answers are in the back. Verbal explanations are clear, in a friendly, conversational style, there are many musical examples, key concepts are clearly indicated in blue, and each chapter has an outline right at the beginning indicating what is to be covered. This book is very well organized, there's an appendix of key definitions in the back, and it is easy to locate topics by accessing the index and the table of contents. Nothing dry about this book. The authors make reference to examples in the accompanying anthology and CD set. I do not have this, as I have access to many of these examples at another site, but I might also buy this for convenience. I also bought the workbook, but, with the opportunity to do assignments and have answers in the back of the book, I don't think I really needed the workbook. The layout is very pleasing, popular as well as classical music is referenced for examples, although this is more about classical musical theory, and the authors have done an exemplary job.

I'm a college music student, and we're using this book in my first year theory classes. It is pretty in-depth and explains the material well. It has key points summaries throughout the chapter, which shortens the time one needs to take notes =P

Product arrived in great time and in great condition. Definitely an A+ seller!