Best music theory books — Pianoconcerto Forum

Member

Posts: 4
City: Bari

December 1, 2020, 10:22

Hello, as I wrote in another post, I am trying to get back into music after many years of stagnation. I have resumed self-taught study after about 6 years. At that time, I was taking private lessons which were limited to studying pieces, solfège and singing, followed by basic musical knowledge. Currently, I am dedicating myself fully to developing technique by playing Hanon and approaching Czerny and Heller. I would like to be able to tackle some music theory books. Let me explain. I would like to develop my musical ear and also learn improvisation (forgive my imprecise terms) and I was wondering if it were necessary to study something regarding harmony.

Since my knowledge is almost non-existent, could you recommend some good theory books?

I have always dedicated myself to the study of classical music, which I consider unsurpassed, but I do not deny having a strong attraction to Jazz, Blues (and Boogie), which however I have always seen as unreachable. Informing myself a little, I discovered the enormous theoretical gap present and concluded that I needed "some" more musical concepts. I hope you can help me.

Thank you in advance

pianoexpert

Moderator

Posts: 3,876
City: rocca di papa

December 1, 2020, 17:48

Solfeggio and Harmony.

Solfeggio: a good study of rhythmic division is indispensable. Let's say that a decent course without reading the grand staff (which becomes necessary, however, for an eventual passing of the license exam), with a good teacher, can be completed in a few months. It depends on your dedication.

Immediately focus on the main theoretical topics that must be clarified without doubt: Scales and keys, simple and compound meters, rhythmic division, theory of accents, etc. These principles must be put into practice on the instrument.

For example, there is no point in repeating scales without properly understanding where the accidentals are located and how they should be fingered.

So: sit down at the piano and choose a scale (D major, for example). State which accidentals it has and which fingering to use. Then, in one breath; play it first for two octaves and only later, after a few months, for four octaves. Maximum concentration. DO NOT STOP! Only at the end should you reconsider the error and then repeat.

The same applies to the study of modulations (to be performed at the piano) (first to closely related keys and then to distant ones).

Have a good knowledge of all keys.

The difference and nature of simple and compound meters, and so on.

Let the mental concepts be clearly understood first.

The extraordinary nature of the Jazz musician lies in creating harmonic richness in real time and an improvisation on the theme that requires a good knowledge of the principles... or great intuition and great taste. Knowing classical harmony deeply does not always allow one to enter Jazz easily.

Certainly, studying later with a jazz teacher is fundamental!!!! He will suggest a path to follow that does not necessarily have to be closely tied to classicism.

Many texts also teach how to move on modal scales, and every improviser moves within the bounds of their own specific style.

The path must be traveled calmly.... and with a Teacher.... perhaps more than one....

Happy studying

P.S. forget about Hanon! It's not very useful... in fact, it's useless!