Music Theory Resources

[Latios212]

I realized I'm sticking around NSM probably forever so I figured I'd better start learning some music theory to help with my own arranging and understanding and providing feedback on other people's arrangements.

So my question is: how do I learn music theory on my own? I need a reliable source I can spend some of my free time on.

Also, preferably a book, because I need to read in bed or something without staring at a screen, but whatever works really.

Feel free to ask me to elaborate more on what I want but the main things I don't know about right now are chords/accidentals/keys/modes.

[JDMEK5]

If you have any specific questions then ask around. I know that chords/accidentals/keys/modes are my speciality personally but yeah I mean, we're all here to learn. Some things you may want to skim through though:

For keys and chords: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_theory

For accidentals and enharmonic spellings: https://www.boundless.com/users/232513/textbooks/understanding-basic-music-theory/notation-1/pitch-7/enharmonic-spelling-49-13524/

For modes: http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Music_Theory/Modes

[Bloop]

I knew loads of music theory before knowing what the names were for those things, like intervals and chords. I learned chords by the look of them, not the way they're constructed.


Idk if this is the right way to do it but it was my way
I should do this for modes

[Sebastian]

Oh yeah.....accidentals are my Achilles heal
There are very hard for me for some reason lol

[FireArrow]

Just ask questions and make sure you understand whats going on when people correct your work. As for teaching yourself, read up on things your interested in. If you do theory for theories sake, without it directly applying to anything at the moment, nothing will stick and you'll just be bored out of your mind.

[FierceDeity]

At the very beginning of my theory training, I used http://www.musictheory.net/ a bit for ear training, and it worked really well, but I'm told its theory lessons/exercises are very helpful, as well. Much more effective than simply reading a wikipedia article.

And I would highly recommend doing the ear training as well, as aurally (not just conceptually) understanding what you learn is very critical to deeper understanding.

[JDMEK5]

I'm told its theory lessons/exercises are very helpful, as well. Much more effective than simply reading a wikipedia article.

Absolutely.

[Sebastian]

You like reading books eh?
Here are a couple I have and love

This is a very straightforward book that I like and have read through.
http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Theory-Lifestyle-Paperback/dp/1592574378/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1434290262&sr=8-1&keywords=idiot%27s+guide+to+music+theory

Here is another one that is excellent and highly recommend. Olimar recommended it to me a while back and I love it.
http://www.amazon.com/Music-Theory-Practice-Vol-v/dp/0073101877/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1434290425&sr=8-3&keywords=music+in+theory+and+practice

Sorry about the prices.....just do what I do and order them from the library

[Latios212]

Ah forgot to say, thanks everyone for your input ^^ I'll definitely go through your recommendations.

[Pianist Da Sootopolis]

Ah forgot to say, thanks everyone for your input ^^ I'll definitely go through your recommendations.

You can also ask the folks over at pianostreet.com
It's a site dedicated to classical piano, so there are a few theory junkies over there.
*just beware of faulty_damper*