Music theory books

[expat48]

Hi all,
What a fun journey learning harmonica has been. These last four months has expanded my enjoyment of music. Not just the blues but also JS Bach,rock and country!!
The music theory section of the B to B course has required many repeats, but now on the 4th go around it is sinking into my brain and I’m really digging it.
I want to delve just a wee bit deeper into music theory and thought a book might be in order. Luke’s explanation was great, but sometimes someone else with a different view point can expand understanding.
I’m looking at two books (and open to other suggestions):

Music Theory: From Beginner to Expert - The Ultimate Step-By-Step Guide to Understanding and Learning Music Theory Effortlessly: 1 (Essential Learning Tools for Musicians) which is highly rated on Amazon and Music Theory for Dummies. The Dummies series is a bit uneven with some being excellent and some not so helpful. Anyone with experience with it please give some feedback. I’m leaning towards the 1st book.

Suggestions??
Cheers
James
Ayr Scotland

[expat48]

I guess I can answer my own question now.
I went back to the Amazon book and found it is a Kindle Unlimited listing, which I have!!! So I was able to start reading for free, and I can say it’s a 5 star book and exactly what I wanted and need for a next step up. His approach is similar to Luke’s, slow and methodical and since it’s a book the author is able to expand material with examples and diagrams which help.
For 6.5 £ UK or about $10 US it’s a steal. He also has a book two which covers musical notation and sight reading…
Cheers

[Luke]

I applaud you @expat48 yeah I’ve ready many music theory books over the years and they’ve all been helpful in filling in the gaps.

Since you’re going deep into all of this, you might also really enjoy the EarMaster software I recommended in the middle of this post:

Ear Training

Recently I wrote a post about Transcribing (learning a song by ear) and the subject of Ear Training naturally arose. Our ability to learn songs by ear is aided or hindered by how well developed our ears are. Depending on our genetics and our upbringing we may have a great natural propensity toward being able to hear and recognize the intervals that a melody is composed of, or if you’re like I was at the beginning you’re just TOTALLY STUCK AND DON’T EVEN KNOW WHERE TO START! So for thos…

[scott4]

U Tube has several people explaining theory. I am one of those people that has learned something about it but do not feel you have to get to the point you can teach a class. Understanding the various positions and which one you prefer for a song is a must but two fantastic players told me not to get caught up on understanding theory in great detail. I play for one reason, to have a good time. I want to be a good harp player and practice a couple of hours a day because I like it. I never played any musical instrument and always regretted it and the harmonica is just what I like. No plans to be in a band, just sit out at night one my deck and play till its bedtime.