Good music theory books for the intermediate

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   As a musician, I feel as though I hit a wall a while ago in terms of progress. I'm not saying I haven't got better over the past couple years, but I've been playing bass for a decade now and I don't think I'm very good. I get my props I suppose in the local rock/metal scene, I play flashier than the average bassist I suppose and make some attempts to be tasteful about it.

But compositionally I'm very weak. I have an understanding of what ever basic music theory book I've come across has taught me. (I Just got an A in my basic music theory class, yay! I'm a musician now) What are some good books or videos for an intermediate player.

Here's what I'm looking at in terms of goals: To be confident that I could sit down with a jazz ensemble of some kind and do alright. Not in terms of being a soloist, to be able to construct good walking basslines, to understand chords beyond the usual major, minor, 7th, aug, dim, so on. Even though I'm a prog fan, I still see some chord names that freak me out.

Being able to have a concrete understanding of linking modes/scales with chords and ways of making it interesting.

I'd like it to be aimed at a bassist if at all possible, but not nessicairy. 

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whydontyoueatcarrots Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: October 28 2009 Status: Offline Points: 114	Topic: Good music theory books for the intermediate Posted: January 05 2010 at 13:58
	As a musician, I feel as though I hit a wall a while ago in terms of progress. I'm not saying I haven't got better over the past couple years, but I've been playing bass for a decade now and I don't think I'm very good. I get my props I suppose in the local rock/metal scene, I play flashier than the average bassist I suppose and make some attempts to be tasteful about it. But compositionally I'm very weak. I have an understanding of what ever basic music theory book I've come across has taught me. (I Just got an A in my basic music theory class, yay! I'm a musician now) What are some good books or videos for an intermediate player. Here's what I'm looking at in terms of goals: To be confident that I could sit down with a jazz ensemble of some kind and do alright. Not in terms of being a soloist, to be able to construct good walking basslines, to understand chords beyond the usual major, minor, 7th, aug, dim, so on. Even though I'm a prog fan, I still see some chord names that freak me out. Being able to have a concrete understanding of linking modes/scales with chords and ways of making it interesting. I'd like it to be aimed at a bassist if at all possible, but not nessicairy.

Certif1ed Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: April 08 2004 Location: England Status: Offline Points: 7559	Posted: January 05 2010 at 15:48
	If you can find a book that is both instructive and interesting, then let me know Best way to learn jazz theory is by playing it. Lots. With lots of other jazz musicians. Theory will NOT teach you how to compose. That is something you feel by doing lots of practice combined with a little trial and error, a little plagiarism, and a lot of deciding on stuff that you really like. I am not trying to tell you not to learn theory - on the contrary, it is a great idea, and essential to extending yourself as a musician - but it sounds like you haven't really "found yourself" as a musician yet, if you find composition difficult. It should be second nature - and can be, in my experience, simply by doing lots of it, and being prepared for a whole bunch of turkeys before you write something you like. Often, you'll find that revisiting old material suddenly gives you fresh inspiration, as you hear something in your music that you definitely didn't notice while you were writing it. Of course, if you don't write loads of stuff, then this won't happen... /ends nag The point I made earlier about plagiarism is more serious than it comes across; one of the very best ways to improve as both performer and composer is to play loads of other people's stuff, and pinch bits that you really like, and use them in your own compositions (the ones that you're "never going to let anyone else hear"), or just play the songs your own way - add a twist. Maybe play a familiar song, but completely re-write the bass line to suit your style. All composers of any note have done this sort of thing, and, as you learn nifty tricks and licks from other people, you play with them, improvise around them and hey presto, you've written something new, and you feel a bit better about yourself as a composer. This is the bit I'd look at before diving into more theory books - make your existing theory knowledge come alive. Just a suggestion. Edited by Certif1ed - January 05 2010 at 15:49
	The important thing is not to stop questioning.

whydontyoueatcarrots Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: October 28 2009 Status: Offline Points: 114	Posted: January 05 2010 at 19:47
	"Theory will NOT teach you how to compose" I understand what you are getting at, but it certainly gives you the tools to compose. Also, I should admit I was being a bit hard on myself as I always am. I do have some compositional abilities, I play in a sort of psychedelic/sludge type band (aka Sabbathy stuff) and I am the... errr proggier songwriter. In spite of being fairly simple metal, I've written some slick riffs, I just have trouble in my band connecting these slick riffs. My songwriting for this band is pretty illogical, which is kind of cool, but I'd like to be able to do logical as well. And the solo stuff I keep wanting to get around to recording is, as suggested, borrowed ideas from the krautrock scene. But what prevents me from being able to write the music in my head, is a lack of (slightly beyond) fundamental music theory skills. A lot of the prog stuff I like will have a melody that soars through very atypical chord changes, and I do believe the proper book learnin' would help tremendously. My current style usually stays very modal, I also find it difficult to shift keys naturally. I do need to get a bass in standard tuning setup (my primary bass is tuned down to C standard) so I can learn some more of other people's material though, I do agree with that. I would love to find jazz musicians that would want to jam with me, but it's not just sitting down and making noise and hoping it fits. I would like to know what I was doing, then make noise and hope it fits. Edited by whydontyoueatcarrots - January 05 2010 at 19:49

whydontyoueatcarrots Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: October 28 2009 Status: Offline Points: 114	Posted: January 05 2010 at 19:50
	BTW: This thread was brought to you by me watching Soft Machine - Live In Paris 1970 and wishing I was Hugh Hopper.