What is Your “ Go To” Source for Music Theory Information?

[JiminRussia]

I very seldom have a question about music theory. The music that I play just doesn’t ‘t demand it but when I do, I generally refer to “Edley’s Music Theory for Practical People” by Ed Roseman. IMHO it is the easiest, fastest and most entertaining way to go from total music theory ignorance to at least a Master’s Degree of knowledge of the subject. Alternatively you can do as I did and skip over the parts that don’t interest or or don’t apply to you and have a high school level grasp of the subject. I would recommend that every one that plays any kind of instrument get at least a basic basic understanding. I can’t tell you how many times a little theory has cleared up a mystery for me.

[Mark Gunter]

I’ve enjoyed reading theory books, but my “go to” is usually a Google search.

There are scores of good sites with plenty of information on pretty much every aspect of music theory.

For things that may not be 100% clear cut - answers could vary by context, etc - I much prefer to join discussions here and argue the salient points :-)

[Rob Ross]

I ran out of "real" classes in high school by my senior year and actually took a class on music theory. It was great, I learned a lot of neat things, but like many things I learned in high school, that learning mostly seeped away. Thus I bought Edley's years ago, and buttress that with fine-tuned internet searches.

[Beanzy]

The AB Guide To Music Theory (I & II) I like these because they're compact, easy to read with no unnecessary clutter & ancillary nonsense. A good one for dipping in & out of or using as a quick reference. Great commuter learning read.
Harmony In Practice by Ann Butterworth I got this to try to keep up with conversations on composition between my wife & son.
Jazz Theory by Mark Levine Once the AB stuff was onboard I wanted to delve into Jazz and this has everything I need for understsnding.

one I liked the look of but never bought (as I have enough already) was Albert's Essentials

[Simon DS]

…things that may not be 100% clear cut - answers could vary by context, etc - I much prefer to join discussions here and argue the salient points :-)

-it’s ‘Circle of fourths’, Mark!

[Bob Buckingham]

After three years of music theory over 50 years ago, I tend to forget arcane things, but there is so much information out here on the web, if you ask a question in a search engine the answer is usually easy to obtain.

[Beanzy]

My effort at embedding links was a bit of a disaster:
Jazz Theory by Mark Levine

and the other one should say Alfred's Essentials not Albert's

[DougC]

Mandolin Cafe folks are the best source. A Google search of 'Mandolin Cafe music theory' probably will keep you busy for a day or two.

Since I'm on the laptop anyway, instead of grabbing Edley's Music Theory for Practical People, I'll just go to https://www.musictheory.net/

[JeffD]

I have some really bright conservatory trained musician friends. I just ask them when I see them.

The advantage there is that they are musicians, not scholars, so they can answer my questions in a context that is useful to me. Music theory can quickly get pretty scholarly and even pedantic. (Yea look that one up ) I don't mind and rarely care, as soon as I wring out what I need, but it is often more efficient to call one of my super smart friends and get an immediately useful answer without the "fat".

[Sue Rieter]

I'm still a junior musician, but I like Duke Sharp's Garage Band Theory. It's fun to read.

[DougC]

...

[DavidKOS]

Probably not for everyone...but my favorite theory book is Paul Hindemith's "Craft of Musical composition".

https://www.amazon.com/Craft-Musical.../dp/0901938300

For practical uses, Wikipedia and https://www.musictheory.net/ are fine.

[electric bassist]

As a general book, the Dummies "Music theory" now in its 4th edition (2019) is always useful because it is always to the point. I am not sure how it compares with the Alfred essentials of music theory (two different editions available: complete and self study comprehensive) book as I have never seen them. I looked at Edley's Music Theory for Practical People a long time ago but now in its third edition (2010) and found it wasnt as polished as dummies. There is another recent book (2017) on "Music theory 101" by Boone and Schonbrun but it has several gaps and is a rewrite of an earlier book. Of course, there is the hard to get but mandolin specific "Music theory for modern mandolin" by Tom Ohmsen. Amazon has two books by Nicholas Carter (Music theory, reading music) which I sent back. Walter Piston "Harmony" 5th ed (2010) is on my bookshelf, heavily underlined and highlighted. But it is composition oriented.

Otherwise I agree with DavidKOS: Paul Hindemiths craft of musical composition. Levine's Jazz Theory is hard IMYHO so I'd rate it for advanced players with plenty of time to explore it

[Mandophyte]

Please be aware that Ohmsen's tome weighs 770g (1lb 12oz).

[Mark Gunter]

I occasionally listen to podcasts and audiobooks; for concise and to the point music theory, I’ve listened to Music Theory: From Absolute Beginner to Expert
by Nicolas Carter, it’s available in other formats.

[Mark Gunter]

Duplicate post

[Mark Gunter]

Duplicate posts, sorry

[DougC]

Just this morning I was going to share my gratitude for Pebber Brown from whom I learned a good deal about music theory via his youtube videos. Apparently he passed yesterday. Here is a note from his family. RIP Pebber (you're my music theory hero).