Recommend A Book for Guitar Theory!!

[mrkpower]

My teacher uses Hal Leonard's Guitar Method Books to teach me acoustic guitar and a little guitar theory. My problem is, Guitar Methods are great books for learning guitars like reading the music and guitar techniques, but are not good for studying the theory. Therefore, I am now looking for another book as a reference for self-studies.

Can anyone here recommend a good book for learning guitar theory??

Thanks in advanced!

[rick-slo]

Covered many times both for music theory in general and more guitar specific. Below were the first three theads in a quick google forum search.

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=162700

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...ad.php?t=95698

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=224310

[jeanray1113]

I highly recommend The Skeptical Guitarist series by Bruce Emery. Google them and you'll find his website. These books are perfect for someone who has no background in music theory and they are guitar specific. Bruce is a great teacher as well as a great musician. His cd's are also a wonderful edition to anyone's collection of guitar music.

[mrkpower]

Thanks for the advices!

[Caldera]

Given that your teacher is using the Guitar Method as a learning resource, have you considered Music Theory for Guitarists, also published by Hal Leonard? Having taught myself the basics using the Guitar Method, I can highly recommend the music theory book as a source of additional information. I found that it filled in a lot of the gaps that exist in the Guitar Method, and helped me to find the answers to many of the questions I had regarding chord construction et cetera. Whilst it may not be the ultimate music theory resource, it is certainly a good place to start.

[mrkpower]

Originally Posted by Caldera

Given that your teacher is using the Guitar Method as a learning resource, have you considered Music Theory for Guitarists, also published by Hal Leonard? Having taught myself the basics using the Guitar Method, I can highly recommend the music theory book as a source of addional information. I found that it filled in a lot of the gaps that exist in the Guitar Method, and helped me to find the answers to many of the questions I had regarding chord construction et cetera. Whilst it may not be the ultimate music theory resource, it is certainly a good place to start.

Yes, this is one of the theory books that I am considering to get it. I will borrow it from the local library to see if it works to me.

Thanks for your output!!

[markallen]

Originally Posted by jeanray1113

I highly recommend The Skeptical Guitarist series by Bruce Emery. Google them and you'll find his website. These books are perfect for someone who has no background in music theory and they are guitar specific. Bruce is a great teacher as well as a great musician. His cd's are also a wonderful edition to anyone's collection of guitar music.

++++1 and Amen!!

Bruce's books have helped me more than any other instruction books out there.

[bupkus]

..........

[JonPR]

Originally Posted by mrkpower

Yes, this is one of the theory books that I am considering to get it. I will borrow it from the local library to see if it works to me.

I have that book and would also recommend it.

Meantime, here's a few good theory sites to browse on (there are lots of not-so-good ones, of course, and these are the best I've found over the years):
http://www.musictheory.net/
http://www.dolmetsch.com/theoryintro.htm
http://www.teoria.com/tutorials/index.php
http://www.zentao.com/guitar/theory/

Only the last one is aimed at guitarists, but then it's important to realise that "music theory" is the same for all instruments. There's no such thing as "guitar theory", although of course it's useful to have something like the 4th site (or the above book) to show how theory translates to the guitar.
However, all you really need is to know how to read music - and where the notes are on the neck! - and then you can benefit from any theory text.

All books (and websites) have their own individual approach to theory - some more comprehensive than others, but none anywhere near "complete", although most are good with the basics.
My advice is always to read about the same concept from 2 or 3 different sources, because what isn't quite clear in one can click in another.

[mrkpower]

Originally Posted by JonPR

I have that book and would also recommend it.

Meantime, here's a few good theory sites to browse on (there are lots of not-so-good ones, of course, and these are the best I've found over the years):
http://www.musictheory.net/
http://www.dolmetsch.com/theoryintro.htm
http://www.teoria.com/tutorials/index.php
http://www.zentao.com/guitar/theory/

Only the last one is aimed at guitarists, but then it's important to realise that "music theory" is the same for all instruments. There's no such thing as "guitar theory", although of course it's useful to have something like the 4th site (or the above book) to show how theory translates to the guitar.
However, all you really need is to know how to read music - and where the notes are on the neck! - and then you can benefit from any theory text.

All books (and websites) have their own individual approach to theory - some more comprehensive than others, but none anywhere near "complete", although most are good with the basics.
My advice is always to read about the same concept from 2 or 3 different sources, because what isn't quite clear in one can click in another.

Thanks for the websites, very useful!

[mrkpower]

Originally Posted by bupkus

Another good one for someone with or without a background in music theory is Guitar Fretboard Workbook by Barrett Tagliarino.

You can take a "look inside" at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Fretboa.../dp/0634049011

I think this book forcing on only scales and helping people to learn them.