I've been browsing and wondered whether any of the following are handy:

First Steps in Music Theory: Grades 1 to 5
Eric Taylor

or

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory by Michael Miller

???????

hello? any body there?

Ok I'll answer you

I haven't seen either of those, sorry.

ok thank you

Hi,
The First Steps in Music Theory is really handy to help you know what's in each particular grade.
I personally find it a lot more concise and useful than the pink and blue books - especially as I try and get pupils to sit the odd theory exam before grade 5 rather than trying to do it all in one go.

I've not see the idiot's guide one you mentioned.

I quite like "Theory is Fun" (one book per grade) by Maureen Cox (Subject Publications). This is a good workbook, but does not have answers.

If you want a workbook with answers, there is "Theory Time" by David Turnbull (Bosworth)

"Theory Fun Factory" by Katie Elliott (Boosey & Hawkes) is good for, say, bright 6 year olds and older but no reason why adults shouldn't go through it for a gentle fun introduction.

Hope that's some help.
Chris

I think the best theory book is
Take five - and pass first time by Christopher Dunn.
It's really straightforward and not too long - ideal for those doing grade 5 theory.
I understand it anyway!

QUOTE (Lizziekeys @ Feb 8 2005, 09:45 PM)

I think the best theory book is Take five - and pass first time by Christopher Dunn. It's really straightforward and not too long - ideal for those doing grade 5 theory.

Absolutely agree. My kids used this book and everyone I know who has used it has passed first time by a good margin. Its very simply and straightforwardly written and presents material in manageable chunks. I'd definitely recommend this one if you are thinking of buying a book for grade 5 theory

Cheers

Yes, first steps is good, but I used it with the Take Five book. Had done no theory before (at all) and taught myself. Was very pleased with a clear distinction....

I find that the First Steps in Music Theory is very useful when you want a quick summary of everything laid out grade by grade, but for the practice exercises themselves I used the Music Theory in Practice series (grades 1-5 are also by Eric Taylor, I think).

The "pink and blue books" that Cp697 mentions I presume are the AB Guide to Music Theory- I find those useful as music reference books in themselves, but not very useful when preparing for a specific grade exam as they don't set things out into grades but it's all mixed together. To get your head round that you'd have to know your grade's syllabus inside out to be able to sift through all the information.

Yes, I did mean the AB Guide to Music books - my feelings about them are exactly the same as yours. I've got them as a reference myself, but wouldn't recommend them to a pupil to buy as the first choice because I'd have to provide them with a "route-map" through the books.

Thanks to the people that recommend Take Five - I'll definitely go and check that out. So far, I haven't had anyone come to me saying "teach me grade 5 in a term" but I'm sure it's only a matter of time!

The books I mentioned, such as Theory Fun Factory, Theory is Fun and Theory Time, have been useful for working through the grades step by step with my younger pupils, so that they don't get into the situation later where they suddenly have to digest grade 5 in one go. The AB's Music Theory in Practice series is a bit of a hard slog and the "language" even in the grade 1 book seems definitely aimed at the older children or adults - I wouldn't try it with a 7 or 8-year-old.

My students use Theory is Fun as a revision aid alongside the AB graded workbooks. These books are thorough yet quite easy to understand. The AB guide to music theory is sometimes difficult to understand and not as user friendly as Theory is Fun.

Yes,some good choices here as I find the AB books good for dipping into as reference,but a bit difficult to navigate,although the appropriate chapters are mentioned at the beginning of each chapter in the workbooks.The language is also a bit too adult like for younger pupils to understand.

I tend to write down theory in a manuscript book,including examples,during the lesson.Firstly for beginners and then to pad out the AB workbooks.

QUOTE

First Steps in Music Theory: Grades 1 to 5

I found this bookier easier to understand than other books I had and it went through the Grades step-by-step.

Try the Josephine Koh books as well - she tends to break things down into smaller steps!

Hi All

I just thought I would add that, there were certain things I was strugling on with my grade 5, I think its harder for people who dont play an instrament(as I dont as I am training to be a classical singer and have never played an instrument) as you are not dealing with the theory side as much

Anyway , I saw you talking about good books and so off I went and bought Take Five and pass first time yesterday, and it is great, I cant believe how well its written, so easy to read and take on board, and straight away the scales I was struggling with remembering he has a fantastic way of learning them , It was a great breath of fresh air

So I would give this book 10/10

By the way I am 29 so maybe to a younger student you would need to go through it with them, but I still found it easier than the other books like, Theory is fun etc

God Bless
Love sarah