Berklee Music Theory Book 1 - 2nd Edition Book/Online Audio

Berklee has been in the business of teaching music to a diverse population of students for decades. They are experienced professionals at this. So there should be no surprise that the instruction in their music theory books is clear, concise, complete, well organized, and well-sequenced. The instruction is specifically targeted to piano/keyboards; even so, guitar players may also benefit from this training.This book was designed to be used in a class at a music college, with a music teacher. As a student workbook for such a course, this book would deserve a five star rating. I gave it a four star rating because it does not include the explanations that the instructor would (perhaps) normally provide. It would probably be best if you went through these music theory books with a music teacher (perhaps two or three chapters per week) as an integrated part of instrument instruction. Because of the lack of detailed explanations, I doubt that a self-studier could learn this material.Book 1 focuses on learning how to read and write music notation, as well as the major and minor scales. Book 2 focuses on harmony, including chords (triads, seventh chords, etc.), inversions, and voice leading. Each book develops listening, reading, and writing skills through exercises and "ear training" (included on audio CD).By way of contrast,  The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory, 2nd Edition  is much better at providing detailed explanations (with an easy-to-read narrative). I would highly recommend reading the Idiot's Guide before starting the Berklee Music Theory books.List of lessons: Pulse and meter; notes; rests; eigth notes and rests; beaming eighth notes; dots and ties; rhythmic notation guidelines; eighth-note and eighth-rest placement; other time signatures; pitch notation; the treble clef; the bass cleff; the grand staff; accidentals; enharmonic equivalents; half steps and whole steps; the chromatic scale; the whole-tone scale; the major scale; scale degrees; major scales using sharps; major scales using flats; the natural minor scale; the relative major/minor scale relationship; minor scale syllable names; the harmonic minor scale; the ascending melodic minor scale; the descending melodic minor scale; minor scale key signatures; interval naming; perfect and major intervals; major vs. minor; perfect and diminished intervals; augmented intervals; compound intervals.My book came with an answer key. A great number of people have given this product a lower rating because they were mad that their book did not have an answer key. If you obtain an older edition without an answer key, simply contact Berklee (at berkleemusic dot com slash contact) and ask for the answer keys to Music Theory 1 and Music Theory 2.For a (literally) heavier book on music theory, take a look at  Tonal Harmony  by Kostka and Payne. This is a textbook that is intended to support a music college classroom/lab course with a music teacher. I really doubt if anyone could self-study their way through this book. You might want to try to get your public library to buy one, so you can take a look before buying. (It is rather expensive.)

If you know nothing about music theory, this is a good place to start. I bought this to aid my students in learning about music theory and how to write it out, count it, etc.But, to some it may seem simplistic. However, in order to get someone interested in the idea that music theory is about opening doors of creativity, you have to start somewhere. Here you go. It has a 'learn by doing' quality that is very good. So it's a workbook, too.Others have addressed the "where's the answer sheet" question, so I'll not bother.I will be getting book 2 also, again, because I will be using it with my students.A good foundational knowledge of theory is always helpful and gives you an idea how creative you can be if you understand what the notes can do, what they can imply by the way you employ them. You don't need a degree to take advantage of the possibilities, but you do need basic knowledge at the very least to explore ideas with 'new eyes'.Anyone who tells you learning theory destroys creativity is arguing from ignorance; they have no knowledge of theory, so cannot say that it ruins the creative spark. Are you going to listen to an opinion with no facts to back it up, or to someone who knows the subject, and so can speak with knowledge and authority - and the ability to demonstrate the possibilities - about the potential of theory to unlock your creativity in ways you might never have discovered otherwise?There may be more comprehensive books, but this gets your feet wet with an easy to understand walk into the subject of music theory.

I'm a bass player who's self taught and has been playing for many years. I want to learn music theory and to read music and hoped this would help. So far, it's just been ok. I have to go through the audio exercises several times to understand what the exercise actually is. The text in the book is quite well written, but the accompanying online audio isn't easy to follow. It's almost as if someone just felt like that had to put something online to say "we have something online" to sell the book, but didn't really put in the effort to make it really good. I know it's affiliated with Berklee, but it feels like they just held something back. I guess since we only pay a few dollars for the book we don't get the full benefit of the $1100 course at Berklee. I'll continue with the book, but they could have made the book and audio a lot better together. 3 stars. Meh. Let's hope the 3rd version is better. Adding in some video would have made this MUCH better. Frankly, I expected better from something with Berklee's name on it.

I went to berklee years ago and wanted to refresh my memory on music theory, so I bought this book because over the years I have lost my old harmony books. I have looked through it and have to say it's pretty basic to me, I mean I did go to berklee, but I can't recommend it more to anyone just starting out. I plan on buying book two once I have fully read through it and made sure I really do remember it all. But I will say this, I learned something new in lesson 1 that I don't recall learning while in school. But it has been 12 years since I took harmony at berklee.

A music educator for over 30 years, I ordered this book for an adult beginner. Concerned about a student finding any material confusing, I hear good initial reports, confirming Paul Schmeling's expertise as a consummate instructor. Since I also know him, I can report he is a top flight musician as well. Theory can be daunting for many students. Paul starts with the very basics and builds from there. Practice exercises abound in the book, giving students and instructors ample opportunity to confirm mastery or identify areas that need attention. Since there is no singular way to approach the subject, you might ask, "Why does he start 'there'?" But you have to start someplace, and Paul's book is as good a place as any to begin the journey. It's clearly intended as anything but an exhaustive study, hence on to Book 2!

Excellent book for students taking the course, has a lot of information and lessons.

Great book really helped me learn about reading music while teaching myself to play the keyboard

バークリー音楽大学出版から出ている音楽理論の教科書CD付属なので聞きながら音階やリズム、スケールなどの基本的なソルフェージュを学べる。特にポップス、ジャズ、ブルースに必要なものを学ぶための教科書である。このMusic Theory Book1ではごく基礎的な音階（ドレミファソ…）やリズムから始まるので、英語さえ読めれば音楽経験が無くとも学ぶことができる。レベルとしてはピアノ経験者であれば難なくこなせるレベルである。アメリカの音楽学校を目指すなら少なくともこのシリーズ程度は終わらせていることが推奨されている。書きこむことで記譜法もマスターできるし、イヤートレーニングにもなるが、回答が付いていないので独学には厳しいかも知れない。教材としては良くできているが、日本語の教材でも同じようなものがたくさん出ているので、バークリーの教材で学びたいという人以外にわざわざ英語の音楽教材を買う必要は無いかもれない。

The content is clear and exercises are excellent. It is a good start for people have no knowledge on music at all.But it is too basic for people who have learned some music theories or able to play any instruments..

Nice tutorial, explains some basic concepts, also some advanced topics, gives a good idea what's important to know in Music.