Hal Leonard Guitar Method: Music Theory (Book/Online Audio)

My guitar teacher recommended this book - it is brilliant for the beginner guitar leaner with no prior knowledge of music theory.

I love this book by Tom Kolb. It is 104 pages jam-packed with the most important elements of music theory for guitar, including chord construction, chord progressions, and scale patterns for any key. I would recommend that EVERY guitar player study this book after completing six to twelve months of beginner guitar lessons. Knowing what is in this book can help you become a real musician. This is not an instruction book for the absolute beginner. The beginning student will (I think) require considerably more explanation. However, for any level of guitar player, this would be a great reference to use when taking lessons with a music teacher. If you already play another musical instrument, then go ahead and jump into Tom Kolb's book immediately - - - it will probably be the quickest method to transfer your existing knowledge to guitar. If you are trying to teach yourself, then you will benefit by studying the basics of music theory before you use this book. I recommend The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory, 2nd Edition . After you finish a basic music theory book, then you should have not have any problems following the Tom Kolb Music Theory book. The book is very well organized and the content is presented effectively. While a music staff is consistently used throughout the book, neck diagrams or tab representations are also used to represent notes and chords. Therefore, even if you cannot read sheet music, you can use this book. Features I particularly appreciate include: - Pattern training neck diagrams for the following: (1) major scales; (2) minor scales; (3) minor pentatonic scale; (4) major pentatonic scale; (5) modes (Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, Locrian); and (6) arpeggios. - Single-page tables for the following: (1) formulas (notes) for 39 chords types; (2) chords for each of the twelve major keys; (3) chords for each of the twelve minor keys; (4) minor seventh chords for each of the twelve minor keys. - Quizzes with answers in the back of the book. Believe me, this book is worth the price just to have a concise reference with the neck diagrams and the tables listed above. The book includes the Circle of Fifths (which is great); but it should do a better job explaining to the new guitarist how to APPLY the Circle of Fifths to one's guitar playing. Table of Contents: The Fretboard; Theory Basics; Scales and Key Signatures; Intervals; Triads; Harmonizing the Major Scale; Chord Construction; Harmonizing the Minor Scale; Determining Key Centers; Blues Harmony and Pentatonic Scales; Modes and Modal Harmony; Other Scales and Modes, Chord/Scale Relationships, Arpeggios; Chord Substitution and Reharmonization. I wish they would sell this book without the CD (with ear training and demonstration tracks). According the back jacket of the book, the book by itself is only 40 percent of the cost of the package. There is one great feature of the audio CD: the guitar part is balanced hard-right, so if you adjust the balance entirely to the left the guitar part is eliminated, allowing you to play the guitar part yourself.

Un vero e proprio giudizio potro' darlo quando avro' terminato di studiare su questo libro, per ora posso dire che sembra ben fatto. Gli argomenti sono trattati in maniera semplice ed esaustiva. Anni luce rispetto ai vecchi metodi oscuri e incomprensibili :-)

Perfect book for learning music theory but some topic are not explained briefly like circle of fifths ...other than that it's worth the price....

Well explained guitar theory concepts.