Reddit reviews Music Theory in Practice

Hi there,

I would start with learning an instrument and music theory.

I started by learning the piano with really basic books - perhaps this could be of use to you: https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Play-Piano-Complete-Beginners/dp/190870716X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484745976&sr=8-1&keywords=beginners+piano+book

I then started my understanding of Music Theory a short while after that, with the ABSRM Music Theory in Practice Grade 1 book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Music-Theory-Practice-Grade-ABRSM/dp/1860969429/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484746064&sr=8-1&keywords=music+theory+in+practice+grade+1

After doing some beginners' piano books, I progressed to the ABSRM Grade 1 exam. There are 8 Grades in total, by the way. I just did mine when I was told I could by my teacher, but if you practice for 30 minutes per day you could probably learn all the stuff from nothing to Grade 1 in a term.

There are other requirements, such as knowing how to play scales and arpeggios, sing, and sight read (so you get to look at a piece for 30 seconds and then just have to play it - my most hated part of the exam!) - you may need books for them, too.


I would say when you have done the exam for Grade 5 Piano AND Grade 5 Theory, you will be ready to start composing. The best way to do that would be to take the exams themselves, as they are a very professional exam board.

Hope this helps! =)

P.S. The reason you've probably been downvoted is because it's quite insulting when someone just says "I have no knowledge and want to make music for video games". People understand you want to, but they put 10, 20, 30 years into the craft, and you come in looking for a quick and easy result. :P

P.P.S. If you look in the FAQ section of this subreddit located on the right-hand side, it should send you to the relevant places. Also check out the Game Audio and Game Dev subreddits eventually, but not now.

A couple of standard texts in the UK are these two:
[AB Guide to Music Theory pt.1] (https://www.amazon.co.uk/AB-Guide-Music-Theory-Vol/dp/1854724460)
[First Steps in Music Theory] (https://www.amazon.co.uk/First-Steps-Music-Theory-Grades/dp/1860960901/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_t_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=KJ0AYXKZW43PBX65Q6P2)

They are closely connected, in that the former explains stuff in more detail, while the second is a kind of abridged revision text, listing all the things you need to know, with minimal explanation. Both start with the absolute basics and go up to grade 5.

A companion books of exercises (for testing yourself) is [this] (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Music-Theory-Practice-Grade-ABRSM/dp/1860969429/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=CXWDMNP8955NNC8DN0QE) (Grade 1 only)

Music theory won't necessarily help you make "beautiful melodies". It will give you some basic formulas to get you started, such as scales and simple chords: raw material to begin working with. But to understand melody, you have to learn some melodies. (Many composers write beautiful melodies with no theory knowledge - other than what they've gained from learning songs.)

Technical piano: https://www.amazon.com/Piano-Scales-Broken-Chords-Arpeggios/dp/1860969135/ref=la_B00379YOX0_1_5/144-5373002-8499729?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1510343524&sr=1-5

Sight reading: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1860969054/ref=pd_aw_sim_14_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=NF8SPTEJJ57E9AK2VPQE&dpPl=1&dpID=51QBt59rXbL

Pieces: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/184849873X/ref=pd_aw_sim_14_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=5DK53J404H4BTE8PG5HT&dpPl=1&dpID=51f2xHcSANL

Music theory: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1860969429/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1510343695&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=abrsm+theory+grade+1&dpPl=1&dpID=51IALOXmX%2BL&ref=plSrch

> Say if I can't find a teacher right away, how would you say I should try striking that "balance" you talked about? Any resources you'd suggest for each element (technical/musical/theoretical)?

Technical and musical elements are quite difficult to advise on because they are quite individual. Some people are very expressive but aren't necessarily brilliantly technical players and some are brilliantly technical but make music that sounds like robots, and all shades in-between.

If you pushed me I would say that something like Yousician's free lessons will get you off the ground as far as basic technique is concerned. Their free service is perfectly adequate for a complete beginner.

As far as musicality goes that's more difficult to teach. Really you're looking to try and "feel" something while you're playing and it's not quite the same as feeling an emotion - you're trying to feel the flow of the music. I found it helpful when I was first learning to play along to a track and not worry too much about getting it right - just noodle around trying to get into the feel of the thing. Playing with other people helps here too.

As far as theory goes that's easier.

Standard theory (you can call it 'classical' theory if you like but it applies to pretty much any form of music except really early music and more modern experimental stuff):
The AB Guide to Music Theory Part I
Music Theory in Practice Book I

(As you'll see from the Amazon listings there are more books in the Music Theory in Practice series, and there's an AB Guide to Music Theory Part II as well).
Get someone who knows what they're talking about to check your answers!

Jazz theory:
The Jazz Theory Book

Songwriting:

Chord Progressions for Songwriters

Bear in mind that music theory is a bit like art theory in that it's largely descriptive rather than prescriptive - it describes common practice and therefore gives you some guidelines but it's quite possible to follow all the rules and still come up with something that's fucking dreadful. So when you're writing try not to get bogged down with "is it correct?" - just ask yourself "do I like it? does it sound good?".


> What would an ideal (or even okay) progress would look like according to you?

I would say classical guitar grade 1 within 1-2 years is normal progress. If you're ambitious then 6 months to 1 year.

I used these:

https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Music-Theory-Part-Pt/dp/1854724460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1466623651&sr=8-1&keywords=ab+guide+to+music+theory

https://www.amazon.com/Music-Theory-Practice-Grade-Abrsm/dp/1860969429/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1466623560&sr=8-3&keywords=abrsm+music+theory

But note that I didn't shop around - don't really have anything to compare it against.