How to Read Music in 30 Days: Music Theory for Beginners - with exercises & online audio (Practical Musical Theory)

My son joined the school orchestra but he doesn't have much experience, so we got him this book to help him learn to read music. It's a great resource, with clear information, good exercises for practice, and a nice flow to the material. My son had no trouble with the concepts or activities because they were explained so well, and he feels much more confident in his music reading ability now. It's really coming through in his performance, as well - good book.

love it helps a lot

One regret I've had was never learning music, but it's never too late! This book is exactly what I needed to become aware and start understanding what lies within the lines of those staves! Well written and easy to follow, there are also many web-based audio examples which support the text making the lessons easier to comprehend! I might take a slight bit more than 30 days to read music but that's my choice! I have also ordered his Music Theory book to further my studies in music! 5 STARS!!!

I bought this book because I'm currently studying voice (with a teacher) and piano (myself, primarily from Alfred books) and decided I needed a much better music theory foundation for both. I'm happy to say that after completing the book I feel that I have that.Separated into three basic sections — rhythm, pitch, and expression — it takes you from the most basic "this is what a quarter note looks like" to increasingly more advanced (but still appropriate for beginners) lessons in understanding how to read, write, and hear the different aspects of music.The structure and division of these concepts is well-paced and laid out. In each lesson, there are audio examples (which you're given a download link for when you get the book) which really help you understand the application of the concepts being discussed. Most of these are excerpts from well-known classical pieces. At the end of each lesson, there are written exercises (an answer key is provided in the download for these and the book's final test).On many days, there are additionally "listening challenges" where you're given a set of excerpts (some included in the download, others you can look up on YouTube or elsewhere) and are asked to determine things related to the lesson, like whether each one is a march or a waltz. Later you're also encouraged to follow along with the piece's sheet music as you listen for certain things.I found the exercises, audio, and listening challenges extremely helpful as I learn best with a combination of types of input — not just reading but writing, seeing, and hearing the music in action really helped cement the ideas for me.Throughout the book, the author gives his email address and says to contact him at any time. I took him up on that and he was extremely responsive, even updating the book itself based on my question. If you're looking for a good way to learn or brush up on music notation and basic theory, this is a great intro.

Bought for my dad. Was a great book. Ironically I read it but he never ended up doing so. Would highly recommend for anyone who wants to learn!

This looks like one of those ubiquitous generic self published amazon books you see all over the site, but it’s very very good actually; it’s laid out exceptionally well. I wish the author had spent more time on the cover so it didn’t resemble those generally bad generic books. One of the better music books I’ve gone through lately.

I am on day 5 and enjoying it but the constant relentless use of the alternate terminology semibreve, etc. which I have already read at least 100 times is plainly not needed and it seems like he is trying to make some unknown point by keeping jamming in to the point of annoyance.

Just finished day 10 on grouping today! 1/3 through. Yeah!!! I used to have anxiety when i saw music sheets with lots of eighth and sixteenth groupings/beams. But I feel so much more confident now.Though I am familiar with the content in the first 9 days lessons, the author introduced the concepts in a very logical way and order that really helps connect the dots together for me. The other music theory book i used before just tells you what it is, but this book will tell you what and why it is the way it is. And the way he builds each lesson on top of the other to tell a whole story is just brilliant. Thank you so much for all the thoughts, efforts and intentions that you put into this work!The complimentary online material includes additional contents from the author's blog, audio examples, listening challenges, answers to exercises and what's more there is a forum for you to ask questions. The author is very active answering questions and giving advice there. He is definitely very passionate about music as well as helping others to enjoy music. The book and the complementary online course are an immense value. Everything is so well organized and presented.I've bought quite a few 30 day books before (like 30 days to draw or 30 days to play guitar), but never finished any of them. Looks like this may be the first time I finish a 30 day book. Will update after I am through.