HarperCollins College Outline Music Theory

Rating:
Summary: not really for beginners
Review: I was looking for something to help me learn to read music. This book has the basic information I was looking for on music notation. But it is a bit of a tough read - I don't think it is really meant for people starting at square one. I find that I really need to get another book with more "how to" information.

Rating:
Summary: Very thorough but somewhat difficult to read
Review: If one approaches this book with a view to learning Music Theory, one would be slightly disappointed. The author brushes right through the fundamentals but that is to be expected from an outline book of this type. All in all, I think this book will come in useful after I've learned Music and need to review theory from time to time. Great book though.

Rating:
Summary: Advanced is Important
Review: Most books found on this subject are designed for beginers and are frustrating for those who want to learn more. This book is for those who want more and accomplishes that feat.

Rating:
Summary: Advanced is Important
Review: Most books found on this subject are designed for beginers and are frustrating for those who want to learn more. This book is for those who want more and accomplishes that feat.

Rating:
Summary: It is what it purports to be...
Review: There are many complaints below concerning this book's rapid introduction of more complex topics. If the book in question were intended to teach theory from the very beginning, this might be a valid denouncement; but, frankly, such was not the intent. It is a "college outline," and, in fulfilling the expectations for book in such a series, it does a relatively good job. It is true that some of the examples could be more thoroughly explained (and a small handful are even mislabled), but if you are already generally familiar with the material, this book serves excellently as a source from which to review. If you are looking to refresh you memory quickly after a breach in study, I cannot think of a better choice. Moreover, the book provides rather good guidelines for getting a start in more advanced topics. In short, I thoroughly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Bad
Review: Very badly done. The author uses technical terms many pages before explaining what they mean. He includes numerous examples, but often does not explain the examples adequately. He blows past complex concepts with scant regard for the confused reader. The explanation of figured bass is completely incomprehensible. Some of these problems can be explained by the brevity of the outline format, but for others there is no explanation other that the author's cluelessness on how to teach.