Can someone please recommend a goog guitar-theory book?

[Sorg]

you know, I`m not talking about the typical Solo-books with all those exercises, etc... Talking about a theorybook where you learn much about the fretboard, scales, modes, etc..... Heard about The guitar Encyclopedia and Grimoire`s books... What would you suggest?

* It`s very nice if the book is easy to read and understand also...

 

[Kent S.]

Re: Can someone please recommend a goog guitar-theory book?

you know, I`m not talking about the typical Solo-books with all those exercises, etc... Talking about a theorybook where you learn much about the fretboard, scales, modes, etc..... Heard about The guitar Encyclopedia and Grimoire`s books... What would you suggest?

* It`s very nice if the book is easy to read and understand also...

I can recommend a good music theory book, but not *guitar* as those books tend to be a little to *guitar* related or finger related at times.
The following book:
Music Theory For The Music Professional ... *A Comparison of Common-Practice and Popular Genres* ... by Richard Sorce
Ardsley House Publishers ... now Roman and Littlefield of New York new York (USA of course) has Ardsley House, you can do a search for it and get it ordered. Guitar places won't have it, college bookstores might.
The book' s ISBN is 1-880157-20-9. It's a hard back book, available two ways, the teacher's edition that has the answers in it, as there are quizes after every chapter; the students edition that does not.
It approaches theory the correct way from notes on a keyboard as then you are dealing with notes, and thinking about notes ... not looking at where to put your fingers. Great book, I highly recommend it, a lot of other books out there are actually *specialty books* of various aspect of music theory as related to specific instruments (in this case guitar). I believe it runs about $40 US dollars, somewhere in that range.

 

[beandip]

Re: Can someone please recommend a goog guitar-theory book?

Dude, Dime recomended to me, "Raising the Barre", and it's awsome after you hear the way he plays and knows about theory. You can get it for 20 bucks direct. I plan on getting one soon, after I get some Ant II's and my amp out of the shop.

 

[Kent S.]

Re: Can someone please recommend a goog guitar-theory book?

Now that I think about it, in the mean time, have you done a web search for guitar or music theory sites... I seem to remember that there were a few out there, they were free, and you could download stuff .... I like books also, but it's just a thought. Of course you may have tried that route already.

 

[presa_tito]

Re: Can someone please recommend a goog guitar-theory book?

An awesome one that is centered around technique and theory is John Petrucci's Wild Stringdom.

 

[Sirion]

Re: Can someone please recommend a goog guitar-theory book?

Raising the Barre is an excellent book. I own it myself.

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But it is a technique book, not a theory book!

 

[Curly]

Re: Can someone please recommend a goog guitar-theory book?

Although I've complained that the Mel Bay Method books that I used when I took lessons had music that was hard to relate to, they did integrate music theory with lessons and studies.

I have no idea what's out there now - there's so much!

But I'd recommend starting out with something fairly straightforward and digestible, rather than a huge tome.

 

[seafoamer]

Re: Can someone please recommend a goog guitar-theory book?

I didn't read the post here, just scanned through them & it doesn't look like anybody recommended "A Modern Method for Guitar" by William Leavitt.

There are 3 volumes, I beleive. HIGHLY recommended, but only if you have the conviction to dedicate practice time to them. They are not for the "once in a while-ers". Consistancy is a must with this method.

 

[Norman_T]

Re: Can someone please recommend a goog guitar-theory book?

When I get around to doing it mine!! :smack: I have a load of stuff which I have written out over the years but I need to sit down and put it all together in a book as I have been asked this question many times.


However there so many books out at the moment that you can get lost between technique and theory and you often find that most of these books tend to start with theory but soon that gets lost completely into technique. I think you just need to go out and see what is there or perhaps someone else may be able to suggest something suitable.

 

[chcjunior]

Re: Can someone please recommend a goog guitar-theory book?

Everything About Guitar Chords by Wilbur M. Savidge
Everything About Guitar Scales by Wilbur M. Savidge

These books are great and give a solid foundation in theory. Easy to understand as well.

 

[Pandemonium]

Re: Can someone please recommend a goog guitar-theory book?

RiffInteractive has a couple of cds that should be right up your alley , you can browse them on their website.

 

[Kent S.]

Re: Can someone please recommend a goog guitar-theory book?

I didn't read the post here, just scanned through them & it doesn't look like anybody recommended "A Modern Method for Guitar" by William Leavitt.

There are 3 volumes, I beleive. HIGHLY recommended, but only if you have the conviction to dedicate practice time to them. They are not for the "once in a while-ers". Consistancy is a must with this method.

I never viewed it myself, but we sold quite a lot of them to the serious classical guitar students.

 

[Kent S.]

Re: Can someone please recommend a goog guitar-theory book?

Barbara Wharram's "Elementary Rudiments of Theory".
This is the standard for conservatory theory teaching.
When you finish this book you will be qualified to write your Royal Conservatory Level 2 theory Exam.
It teaches scales and modes,(to death),transposition,chord structure and inverting,counterpoint,harmony,cadences and a ton of other goodies.
It can be a slugfest to get through certain areas but the knowledge is top notch.
Most other theory books have borrowed from this one.

John, if you ever get the chance, check out that one I recommended, I think you'll find it just as intensive and thoroughly done ...
It goes from the simplest beginning to very advanced theories, everything you mentioned, plus more.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Can someone please recommend a goog guitar-theory book?

The absolute best guide that doesn't sound like a textbook:
Eldy's Music Theory for Practical People

http://www.edly.com/mtfpp.html

A wonderful easy to read, easy to understand book.

 

[echofinger]

Re: Can someone please recommend a goog guitar-theory book?

Every year, a few hundred guitarists graduate from the Berkely School of Music. Unfortunately, most of them end up takin' assorted day jobs to pay the bills. That is bad for them.

The good part is, you probably have one near where you live, and he is giving guitar lessons at night and on the weekends to make beer money.

Pay this joker 30-45 bucks and hour to give you lessons for 3-6 months. Not only will you get the guitar theory you want, but the music theory behind it.

Worked for me, good luck.

 

[papersoul]

Re: Can someone please recommend a goog guitar-theory book?

The absolute best guide that doesn't sound like a textbook:
Eldy's Music Theory for Practical People

http://www.edly.com/mtfpp.html

A wonderful easy to read, easy to understand book.

Looks great! Do you have to know how to read music?

 

[papersoul]

Re: Can someone please recommend a goog guitar-theory book?

Another good series is Fretboard Logic.
http://www.billedwards.com/

 

[JammerMatt]

Re: Can someone please recommend a goog guitar-theory book?

I didn't read the post here, just scanned through them & it doesn't look like anybody recommended "A Modern Method for Guitar" by William Leavitt.

There are 3 volumes, I beleive. HIGHLY recommended, but only if you have the conviction to dedicate practice time to them. They are not for the "once in a while-ers". Consistancy is a must with this method.

I totally agree. It's what my teacher put me on. It took like two years to get through the first book, but it was worth it. Note: It is NOT a tab book, you're sight readin' for real. I don't have the guts or the time right now to tackle #2.

 

[JammerMatt]

Re: Can someone please recommend a goog guitar-theory book?

Another good series is Fretboard Logic.
http://www.billedwards.com/

I have this book too, and like it. It's not what I would call pure theory, but it will definitely give you a quick and better grasp of the fretboard. It's pound for pound one of the best easy books you can buy IMO.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Can someone please recommend a goog guitar-theory book?

Looks great! Do you have to know how to read music?

No i believe it starts from the beginning. It is really not intimidating at all, as most theory books are- it's entertaining too.