Music Theory Textbooks:
Every musician should have a general music theory textbook that surveys functional harmony, and at least touches on post-tonal techniques. The first text below, Music Theory Remixed is a newcomer on the market but is a favorite of mine because it incorporates pop music along with traditional concert music. Next is Tonal Harmony which seems, in my experience, to be the most widely used textbook in undergraduate courses.
Editor's Pick:
Music Theory Remixed
One of my favorite music theory books to come out in years is Music Theory Remixed, since it includes jazz, pop, and rock, analysis in addition to the typical masterworks that we are accustom to seeing in general music theory texts. This textbook covers the traditional four semesters of music theory, from intervals to post-tonal theory and serialism. Most chapters reference curated Spotify and YouTube playlistsas well. The best part, however, is that this textbook uses pop and rock music in addition to traditional concert music to illustrate to various music theory techniques and devices. I think this is a truly fantastic and much needed addition to theory texts. It's fun to hear how popular bands utilize similar harmonic progressions side by side with Bach and classical composition masterworks. I'm excited to see how this book progresses through ensuing editions. I use it in my own advanced music theory courses at the Los Angeles College of Music.
| Reviews: | Music Theory Remixed Reviews |
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| Publisher | Oxford University Press |
| Pages | 912 |
| Purchase link | Music Theory Remixed, by Kevin Holm-Hudson |
Tonal Harmony
Tonal Harmony is the classic college music-theory textbook. Somehow, however, I didn't use this text in my undergraduate or master's degrees. But, I did purchase my own copy due to its reputation. When I started teaching theory in college, I soon realized that most my students were familiar with this book (the college at which I teach serves many transfer students). Tonal Harmony is now on it's 8th edition and will surely continue as the textbook of choice for most professors sticking within the concert/classical music tradition. I still reference mine all the time.
| Reviews: | Tonal Harmony Reviews |
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| Publisher | McGraw-Hill Education |
| Pages | 704 |
| Purchase link | Tonal Harmony |
The Complete Musician
The Complete Musician is perhaps the most comprehensive and time-tested music theory series. Like Music Theory Remixed, it is also published by Oxford University Press, but it also comes with two workbooks and has an adjoining aural skills component. However, these books will set you back some money -- but as an investment in your musicianship and musicality, it's well worth it. As a professor it's hard to require these books due to their combined price, but I've had students voluntarily purchase them and they consistently sing praise for them. Coming in at a combined total of 2,320 (including worksheets/workbooks) you know you're getting your moneys worth. If you're a dedicated student of music and are willing to put in the time, purchase these.
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| Publisher | Oxford University Press |
| Pages | 2320 (combined total) |
| Purchase link | The Complete Musician |
The Musician's Guide to Theory and Analysis Anthology
I haven't used these myself, but I'm eagerly looking for the right opportunity to do so. These books, like Tonal Harmony above are used quite often in many colleges and universities and are well respected. Like The Complete Musician , it has an accompanying workbook and also comes with online access codes for student quizzes and additional information and resources. This textbook is available in a few formats, including loose leaf, but I always recommend hardcover if possible. The spiral-bound version may be a nice cheap(er) alternative too.
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| Publisher | WW Norton & Co |
| Purchase link | The Musician's Guide to Theory and Analysis Anthology |
Concise Introduction to Tonal Harmony (and workbook)
Dubbed "the theory text that students read and understand," the Concise Introduction to Tonal Harmony is a relative newcomer to me, but comes highly praised and recommended by a number of music theorists friends. It's co-authored by Joseph Straus, famed author of the well known post-tonal Introduction to Post-Tonal Theory which is a major plus in my book! It is publised by WWNorth, is 380 pages, and features a web showcase to explore the book a bit further.
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| Pages: | 380 |
| Publisher | WW Norton & Co |
| Purchase link | Concise Introduction to Tonal Harmony (and workbook) |
Harmony and Voice Leading
The more experience I gain, through both teaching and performing, is that voice leading rules all. I've recently found myself among those that consider themselves anti-chord/scale approach to composing and improvising. If you feel similar, then this book is for you. One of the authors is Carl Schachter, who, as wikipeida states, is "renowned as arguably the most influential Schenkerian analyst since Heinrich Schenker himself," and is well known for his work with Felix Salzer on Counterpoint in Composition: The Study of Voice Leading which is a bit of a "next-level" book to dig into after some familarity with concpets in general music theory texts. Harmony and Voice Leading also comes with it's own workbook.
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| Pages: | 736 |
| Publisher | Cengage Learning |
| Purchase link | Harmony and Voice Leading (and workbook) |
Adam Neely Reccomended Books
The books listed here were reccomended by YouTube music theory star Adam Neely. You can see his reviews of these books in this YouTube vieo here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbabDhGZAhM
The Advancing Guitarist
Mick Goodrick
| Reviews: | The Advancing Guitarist Reviews |
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| Publisher | Hal Leonard |
| Pages | 120 |
| Purchase link | The Advancing Guitarist |
Building Walking Bass Lines
Ed Friedland
| Reviews: | Building Basslines Reviews |
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| Publisher | Hal Leonard |
| Pages | 64 |
| Purchase link | Building Basslines |
Twentieth-Century Harmony: Creative Aspects and Practice
Vincent Persichettei
| Reviews: | Twentieth-Century Reviews |
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| Publisher | WW Norton |
| Pages | 283 |
| Purchase link | Twentieth-Century Harmony |
Harmonic Experience: Tonal Harmony from Its Natural Origins to Its Modern Expression
W.A. Mathiew
| Reviews: | Harmonic Experience Reviews |
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| Publisher | Inner Traditions |
| Pages | 576 |
| Purchase link | Harmonic Experience |
A Chromatic Approach to Jazz Harmony and Melody
Dave Liebman
| Reviews: | A Chromatic Approach to Jazz Harmony and Melody Reviews |
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| Publisher | Alfred Music |
| Purchase link | A Chromatic Approach to Jazz Harmony and Melody |
Jazz Theory Books
The Jazz Theory Book
Mark Levine
The aptly named The Jazz Theory Book by Mark Levine is a staple in every jazz musicians’ library. This book helped start me on my love of music theory over a decade ago when I was still in high school. Today, however, I still find myself referencing this giant spiral bound theory book. If you only get one book on jazz theory, this should be it. However, I must admit that this book is a bit heavy on chord-scale relationships, and I currently think that chord-scale theory is a bit of a dead-end, but I nevertheless think it is the best introduction to jazz theory book out there. If you like it, also check his The Jazz Piano book.
| Reviews: | The Jazz Theory Book Reviews |
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| Publisher | Sher Music |
| Pages | 522 |
| Purchase link | The Jazz Theory Book |
Jazz Theory: From Basic to Advanced Study
Dariusz Terefenko
Jazz Theory by Dariusz Terefenko is a new leader in the jazz theory text world. Professor Terefenko teaches at Eastman School of Music in New York. The book is divided into three sections with multiple chapters each: basic, intermediate, and advanced. There are also online resources including over 1,000 exercises and recordings of the examples in the book, something you don't get in The Jazz Theory Book
| Reviews: | Jazz Theory: From Basic to Advanced Study Reviews |
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| Publisher | Routledge |
| Pages | 431 |
| Purchase link | Jazz Theory: From Basic to Advanced Study |
Post-Tonal Theory Books
Introduction to Post-Tonal Theory
Joseph N. Straus
Introduction to Post-Tonal Theory changed my life a bit. It was the suggested text for my doctoral level post-tonal theory course. I expected to hate it, but came out loving it. It's the only book I'm going to list here for now since the post-tonal world is never-ending and this book is the standard. If you're at all unfamiliar with post-tonal harmony, this is the book to get.
| Reviews: | Introduction to Post-Tonal Theory Reviews |
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| Publisher | W. W. Norton & Company; |
| Pages | 416 |
| Purchase link | Introduction to Post-Tonal Theory |
Music Theory for Producers
I used to just recommend Tonal Harmony for computer producers interested in upping their game with music theory, however, Holm-Hudson's Music Theory Remixed currently takes that top spot since it has a popular music twist to it. However, there are a number of books by accomplished and legitimate music theorists and composers that also cater to the modern-day computer musician/producer:
Music Theory for Electronic Music Producers:
The producers guide to harmony, chord progressions, and song structure in the MIDI grid.
Dr. J. Anthony Allen, PhD
Music Theory for Electronic Music Producers covers basic music theory and production software for the aspiring producer that is investigating music theory. It was written by an experienced composer with a PhD in composition and was published in 2018. I haven't personally held the book, but I've heard positive reviews.
| Reviews: | Music Theory for Electronic Music Producers: Reviews |
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| Publisher | Slam Academy |
| Pages | 262 |
| Purchase link | Introduction to Post-Tonal Theory |
Music Theory for Computer Musicians
Michael Hewitt
Music Theory for Computer Musicians the standard text. Includes quizzes at the end of each chapter and provides an answer key online. Great for self-study. Published a decade ago (2008) it may seem a bit dated, but for computer musicians/producers, but this book is still the gold standard.
| Reviews: | Music Theory for Computer Musicians Reviews |
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| Publisher | Course Technology PTR |
| Pages | 336 |
| Purchase link | Music Theory for Computer Musicians |