The AB Guide to Music Theory Vol 1

As a student of music myself I have found this book useful on several occasions and it has saved me hours of research and learning through trial and error!

This book is a must for anyone with a genuine interest in music, any avid composers or anyone taking The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music examinations; theory or practical.

I would highly recommend this book and other books by Eric Taylor as they are competitively priced and invaluable for serious musicians.


From Theory to Reality   January 7, 2001
118 out of 122 found this review helpful

In this book Eric Taylor sets about translating the language of musical theory into one that the whole world can understand. By the use of simple comparisons and memorable analagies he explores the basics of music theory up to the level which allows a progressing musician to deepen their comprehension of musical understanding. Before I began to read this book it was on the purely technical basis that if I could pass the exam I could sit exams higher than grade five, but once I had started reading I found that it was surprisingly interesting and easy to understand, qualities that I would accredit mainly to the simpistic language and the relaxed style of explaining something that I thought I would never be able to understand. The book is very clearly set out, broken down into small sections progressing in difficulty but keeping still a strong feeling of continuity which I think can be one of the difficulties with such a topic. Illustraing almost each topic with at least one simple and well annotated diagram breaks up the reading into smaller more digestible parts like choruses acting each as interludes between the verses of a song. Eric taylor has certainly made a huge difference to my life as having passed the grade five theory with no teacher and no previous knowledge of the subject I am now going on to study for my grade eight in singing and hope to sing ad teach one day. I would reccomend this book for reading by anyone at all studying music theory. It should always be at hand whenever you are doing anything musical and should act as your bible - well, musically speaking of course!