Createspace Independent Publishing Platform How to Read Music in 30 Days: Music Theory for Beginners - with exercises & online audio

One of my favorite accomplishments this year so far! After I learned in detail the gods and goddesses of Greek Mythology together with my kiddos, I proceeded to learn to speak music. It always been my dream to understand this language and my (oh-my) what a great resource is this book! Busy mom here, with work, life and all the goods/hards one can have at 35 😉. Tried YouTube earlier, but it's not the same. This book is awesome, because author really sounds clear and on point. The author takes time to give you extra free on-line resources to this same book, and that's such an appreciated bonus. You can feel the dedication and this is such an empowering/motivating to keep going feeling! I'll tell him a big thanks for sharing his knowledge with us (the ones who didn't have any touch of music when young) via his book! It's a rarity nowadays to get access to so much neuron-building knowledge for only the price of one book!! If you're interested to invest in your "me time" in a healthy, productive manner get this book and you'll not quit it. Learning is a good process for brain.

Helped me a lot to learn to read notes. It’s everyday a challenge for I guess 30 days. Hint. They offer the same content on there website as an web application for free.

Written in a lucid manner, the book is worth the money spent. Sight reading can be intimidating for beginners like me, however this book made it easy and fun to learn. Filled with exercises, audio examples and an online community for support, readers will have rich learning experience using this book and will feel confident reading music.

This has to be hands down the best introduction music theory book I have come across. I picked up this book after I heard the author interviewed on a podcast. I wanted to improve my composition for music exams and it seemed like that was where the author was coming from but the book and accompanying free course have done so much more. To help embed the theory you are learning the author has included score reading challenges (the scores can all be found for free online). This has really improved my active listening and ability to hear subtleties in music. The book used in this way creates a solid practice link between music theory and ear training. This part of the book/course is over two hours of active listening. Likewise playing music will improve. The way the material is explained I could make a solid connection between theory and my performance. One specific example is the discussion on syncopation. At the moment I’m working on Maple Leaf Rag and the explanation gave me a light bulb moment. At the end of every chapter is a short quiz and at the very end is a course quiz. This helps to embed what you have learned before you move on further grounding your theory.Because the book is self published the the need to pay for full publisher’s production costs were avoided and consequently the book is great value. I would imagine if it was produced by a publisher the cost would be at least twice what it is especially with the course that accompanies the book. Being self published there are some minor typos but nothing that affects the accuracy of the information. They are mostly of the kind where the text says ’10 examples’ and 8 examples are provided. For me this book is a solid 5 stars and I was surprised to see people give it one star. I had a quick look to see why their experience differed to mine. Some people criticised the lack of author response to download issues. This may have been a past problem that has been resolved. The course to accompany the book has an active discussion board where you can post questions as you go through the book’s material. I always got a reply within 24 hours. One person complained that the examples were of for a keyboard and not other instruments. I’m not a piano player (stringed instruments), however the linear pitch layout of the piano and white natural notes with black accented notes makes it a very clear tool for explanation that every musician can benefit from. It would be impossible to include examples for all instruments and only one chapter is piano specific when piano pedal marks were discussed. In summary great a value and engaging book with a well thought out and supportive course which will help me with composition, appreciation and performance. This will definitely improve my enjoyment of listening to and playing music and isn’t that what it’s all about?

Easy learning