A musician without a basic knowledge of music theory is like a painter lacking a basic understanding of the color wheel. Sure a painter could use trial and error until he or she discovered yellow and blue make green, but why waste all that time?

Have you spent years banging away on your instrument, hoping to find sounds that work? Or have you just started playing and find yourself going nowhere fast.  Maybe you’re a trained musician who sight reads but doesn’t understand how to “play by ear” or jam with friends. Regardless of your situation, this book will teach you the fundamentals needed to accomplish your musical goals.

Music theory isn’t something to fear—nor is it a rigorous exercise useful only in a college classroom. It is an immensely valuable resource, one that is utilized by musicians every time they play their instrument.

Fundamental Concepts of Music Theory discusses the aspects of music theory most often used in popular music such as rock, pop, country, etc. You’ll discover the patterns which form scales and chords, how those chords are used in songs, and how musicians use the natural chords of a key to quickly and easily learn songs by ear.  In addition, you’ll learn easy transposing methods, how extended chords are formed, how to train your ear for relative pitch, and much more.

There are no words to describe how valuable these skills are to a musician. If you are willing to put in the time and practice, you can understand how music works and apply that knowledge to any musical endeavor your chose. So what are you waiting for?

From the Book's Forward:

Congratulations! By picking up this book you have already taken a huge step in accomplishing your musical goals. Fundamental Concepts of Music Theory is designed to give you a solid foundation in music theory by teaching you to

-understand the twelve note chromatic scale.

-quickly and easily construct major scales in any key.

-understand intervals.

-understand how chords and melodies interact within major and minor keys.

-find the most often used chords in a given key.

-improve and train your ear. Learn to recognize relative distances between various chords and notes.

-“play by ear.”

-quickly and easily transpose pieces of music into any key regardless of complexity.

-use simple formulas to understand how extended chords such as sevenths, ninths, suspendeds, and various chord inversions are formed.

-understand the minor scale, how it derives from the major scale, and the similarities between major and minor keys.

-understand the workings of the harmonic minor scale.

There is no way to describe how valuable such skills are to a musician. An understanding of music theory saves time and eliminates guesswork. It frees you from using trial and error to find compatible notes or chords within a given key.Music theory opens up new and exciting musical avenues—allowing you to explore innovative sounds, harmonies, and textures. If you’re stuck in a rut, a study of theory can help you get out.

Let me give you an analogy concerning the merits of theory. Let’s say a person wants to try their hand at oil painting. They go to an art store, buy a set of oil paints, some brushes, and a couple of canvases.  After the materials are purchased and brought home, it’s time to start mixing colors.  Since our aspiring artist doesn’t know much about this process, he or she essentially has two options: Option one is to use trial and error, and randomly mix two or three colors until the desired results are achieved.  Option two is to study basic color theory before painting in order to understand how various colors blend and interact. Which do you think is the more effective option?      

Obviously, a study of basic color theory would produce the desired results much faster and more effectively than trial and error.  Sure, one could learn by randomly mixing colors together, but this would take a great deal of time and energy—energy better spent painting.

Although musicians do not work with visual colors, they do work with tonal colors (music notes) and their interaction. You, the musician, just as the painter in the analogy, have two choices in learning how to mix and blend musical colors: You can either use trial and error until you find which notes and chords work well together, or begin a study of music theory. Just as studying color theory is more effective than trial and error for a painter, studying music theory is more effective than trial and error for a musician.

Whether you’re a beginner with a basic musical vocabulary, or an advanced player lacking a solid theoretical foundation, this book is for you.  If you read sheet music but don’t know how to chord, improvise, play by ear, or simply “jam” with friends, this book is for you as well. 

Fundamental Concepts of Music Theory discusses the aspects of theory used in popular music—music on the radio such as rock, pop, country, and so on.  Therefore, the lessons discussed are relevant and applicable to your favorite songs.  The concepts presented aid in practicing, learning songs, ear training, and composing.  If you are willing to put in the time and practice, you can understand how music works and apply that knowledge to any musical endeavor you choose. It is my sincere hope that this book gives you the theoretical foundation needed to accomplish your musical goals. 

Eric S. Morgan