A useful, simple guide to music theory for those looking to fill in gaps in their knowledge, with a particular focus on jazz, blues and rock.

The introduction makes it very clear that "An Understandable Guide to Music Theory is a 'user's manual' which concentrates on those aspects of theory that are of most practical use to people playing and writing music". So, it would be totally unfair to judge it from the standpoint of a beginner without prior musical experience. Having said this, I proceed with my opinion:

I can say that it's nicely organized and explanations are concise. I also appreciate the vast amount of examples provided right after an explanation. However, it is written methodically and descriptively, just like a textbook and it doesn't give the "friendly, relaxed vibe" some new books have with their everyday life examples and comparisons that help increase cognitive ease (make new terms and ideas easier to grasp, often comparing to things you already know, therefore decreasing mental struggle). Depending on your taste, this can be a good or bad thing.

I took my time reviewing this book because I tried learning more about the subject from different sources and I can say it suits really well as a support guide meant to be used in a classroom or as reference material when you are in doubt of something specific and need a quick and easy explanation.

Main subjects include:
- Scales
- Chords
- Chord progressions
- Melody
- Form
- Useful techniques (Ostinato, pedal tone, hocket, pointillism, rhythmic variation, mirrors, doubling, etc.)
- Instrumentation

*I got this book so that I could express my honest opinion about it

This simple guide will help any beginner learn the basics of music theory, step by step. It's a great book to have on hand for any musician or student of music.

#AnUnderstandableGuideToMusicTheory #NetGalley

Since 1994, this is one of the reference book used in the classroom. The theory is well explained and this book can be an excellent companion book for an introductory class.

This guide is very understandable, what I found difficult is Music Theory in itself :) I tried again and maybe now I learned a little bit more, but there are still things that I will not ever understand and will left me forever at the hobby level.

Questa guida é davvero molto comprensibile, cosa che non si puó dire della teoria musicale in generale, ma continueró a provarci anche se ci sono delle cose che non capiró mai e che mi condannano, come farebbe Dante, a rimanere nel girone musicale dei musicisti per hobby :)

THANKS NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!

I thought this book would take an innovative approach to music theory. I was wrong. It is the usual mixture of what anyone who has come near music before and dense jargon and concepts that make the whole field so daunting. The book claims to be understandable, which is setting the bar low. The problem with music theory is not that it is not understandable, but that it is not memorable. The author explains what a scale is after presenting the complicated concept of intervals, along with the inevitable chart of those intervals' relationships (perfect fourths, diminished thirds, etc.). Quite frankly, if you have the patience to wade through this jargon, almost any book on music theory will be "understandable".

Interesting and very to-the-point, but beyond my current understanding level. I liked the inclusion of the various examples.