Rating: 
Summary: A good starting point
Review: As others, I had some theory background before this book. It does a good job of getting a person exposed to the subject matter. I don't know if I could reccommend to the individual who wants something with a lot of depth. This book provides high-level snapshots at the topics and leaves out some details here and there. If that's all you want or need for now, this book is for you. As with any book that provides answers in the back, expect a few typing errors.
Rating: 
Summary: Awesome review
Review: I bought this book in order to review for a theory exam to enter Graduate school. So far, it has been a great help. We'll see how I do on the test, but either way, it has been a capable and thorough review.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent introduction to music theory
Review: I had some music theory before I picked up this volume, but had not studied it in a comprehensive manner. This book took me through the basics in a step-by-step fashion. As a result, I feel I have a firm grasp of scale structure, intervals, and chord forms. The exercises (with answers in the back) are very useful and enable you to ensure that you have understood the text. I spent two weeks with this book this past summer and am delighted that I did. Strongly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: This is the book you want, honest
Review: I know this subject -- this book is in a class by itself... basic music theory isn't that difficult... but explaining it is! The authors have actually gotten it right. They balance clarity thoroughness accuracy and practicality. This isn't 'rocket-science' type theory, and it isn't baby-stuff either... it's directed at the musician who's playing popular music (from blues and rock to sophisticated jazz) and who wants to understand basic notation, chords, fitting scales to chords for improvisation/soloing, modes, and chord substitutions. If it has a weak point it's in explaining how chord progressions are put together, but in fairness that is a _huge_ subject... and this book is _great_ on everything else. Other books on this subject are typically miserable... this one even has excercises and an answer key. I'm reccommending it to all my guitar students... this book is an answered prayer.
Rating:
Summary: Exactly what I needed!
Review: I spent 12 years studying classical piano and I have always had a good ear for music (which means I can't sight-read ...). When I went off to college, a group of people were jamming in the big room, so I sat down at the piano figuring I'd join in. Well, despite my thinking I was such a great ear-player I hadn't the slightest idea what they were doing. It sounded like the 1-4-5 boogie woogie I learned in sixth grade, but it wasn't. They told me to stop playing because I was doing it wrong, so I slinked off in humiliation.25 years later, my husband gave me this book. He was tired of having to explain what he thought was fairly standard chord notation, and I was frustrated that despite my years of study, I had no idea what he was talking about. I read the book through and I was back in that dorm social room... and I figured out what they were jamming on!!!! This book explained it all, chord substitutions, variations, which keys go with others and why, what works, what doesn't, and what to call it so you can talk to other musicians. I realize the typical reader would be someone who can play but can't read or write music, but don't count yourself out just because you can. If, like me, you came from the classical world but never learned to talk rock or jazz theory, this is a great book for you. It really was a Rosetta Stone for me. And now I know what a flat-five substitution is and when to do it.
Rating:
Summary: Exactly what I needed!
Review: I spent 12 years studying classical piano and I have always had a good ear for music (which means I can't sight-read ...). When I went off to college, a group of people were jamming in the big room, so I sat down at the piano figuring I'd join in. Well, despite my thinking I was such a great ear-player I hadn't the slightest idea what they were doing. It sounded like the 1-4-5 boogie woogie I learned in sixth grade, but it wasn't. They told me to stop playing because I was doing it wrong, so I slinked off in humiliation. 25 years later, my husband gave me this book. He was tired of having to explain what he thought was fairly standard chord notation, and I was frustrated that despite my years of study, I had no idea what he was talking about. I read the book through and I was back in that dorm social room... and I figured out what they were jamming on!!!! This book explained it all, chord substitutions, variations, which keys go with others and why, what works, what doesn't, and what to call it so you can talk to other musicians. I realize the typical reader would be someone who can play but can't read or write music, but don't count yourself out just because you can. If, like me, you came from the classical world but never learned to talk rock or jazz theory, this is a great book for you. It really was a Rosetta Stone for me. And now I know what a flat-five substitution is and when to do it.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Introduction to Music Theory
Review: I'm a guitar player apprentice on my late 20's. I decided that if I ever where to play like the guitar players I listen to (Al Di Meola, John Petrucci, Paco de Lucia, Alex Lifeson) I needed the same tools they had. Since I read this book my guitar playing had improved so much. I understand the concepts and rules behind chord progressions, chord substitution, modes and soloing. If you are serious about learning and applying music theory and you don't have any formal music education, this book is for you. This book does not focus on any particular instrument (which make it so much better for that), just comprehensive theory. How you apply it is up to you.
Other books from MI that I've bough and I'm reading now are Rhythm Guitar - The Complete Guide, Music Reading for Guitar and Guitar Soloing. A word of advice, these materials are not easy to digest, it takes time, discipline and practice to master these concepts. But once you do, the sky is the limit!
Rating:
Summary: This book is great
Review: Out of the products I have researched, this was one of the least favorites of theory books. Although the cover and the graphics inside the book are nice, there is not near enough material to be learned. The method of learning is not very good either. My students were intrigued at first, but they had a hard time learning from the material. It is very limited in its coverage of music, sticking only to modern-day music. Although it will not hurt to buy it at this price range, it is pretty much a waste of time.
Rating: 
Summary: Harmony & Theory gets nowhere fast
Review: Out of the products I have researched, this was one of the least favorites of theory books. Although the cover and the graphics inside the book are nice, there is not near enough material to be learned. The method of learning is not very good either. My students were intrigued at first, but they had a hard time learning from the material. It is very limited in its coverage of music, sticking only to modern-day music. Although it will not hurt to buy it at this price range, it is pretty much a waste of time.
Rating:
Summary: Harmony & Theory gets nowhere fast
Review: Out of the products I have researched, this was one of the least favorites of theory software. Although the cover and the graphics inside the program are nice, there is not near enough material to be learned. The method of learning is not very interactive either. This course might be better on a small book than on a CD-ROM. My students were intrigued at first, but they had a hard time learning from the material. It is very limited in its coverage of music, sticking only to modern-day music. Although it will not hurt to buy it at this low price, it is pretty much a waste of time.
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