In the world of electronic music production, music theory often gets neglected. People think it's boring, some even believe it inhibits creativity.

The truth is, music theory helps. A lot. The technical side of music production - mixing, mastering, sound design - while important, means nothing unless your music is well composed. Understanding music theory opens up new pathways and allows for confidence, control, and creative freedom.

Music Theory: The TL;DR Version written by Reginald Young (aka Neon the Rex) is a comprehensive yet easily consumable eBook that covers the fundamentals of music theory as well as intermediate concepts.

Topics covered:

- Basic melody (scales, intervals, melodies)

- Basic harmony (types of chord, inversions, variations)

- Intermediate melody (counterpoint, harmonizing a melody)

- Intermediate harmony (altered & applied chords, mixture, analysing chord progressions)

- Rhythm (notation, syncopation, polyrhythms)

- Time signatures

- The circle of fifths

Who's it for?

Everyone.

Music Theory: The TL;DR Version covers a range of concepts that will benefit both beginners and those with a more advanced knowledge of theory.

How much does it cost?

This product is distributed through a "pay what you want" model, meaning you're able to download it for free.

If you want to support the author, then you can choose to pay any amount you please

Homepage: https://gumroad.com/l/tldrmusic

 

http://teoria.com/

just saying

 

floond, bless you son for this link

 

Can anyone post it here? It requires to use credit card details..

 

Type 0 in the amount box and the credit card details section goes away.

 

Thanks mate! I didn't know it works like this!

 

One killer argument about music theory: Did you ever find yourself into a beautiful composition, then you cant find how to go on? Got stuck even if you feel that there should be another part? How to continue, pushing to a new chord progression?
Yes you did, we all do.
This is when music theory really help. You just analyses what you did and then, which are the harmonic possibilities, try them, modify them, usually it's the only kick you need to go on further.

As this book states in its first page: “Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.” Pablo Picasso

Thank you Floond and to Reginald Young / Neon The Rex

Legerei Thanks for the link.

 

Music theory 101:
"If it sounds great, then it's correct"


OK, for studying music theory I recommend books n' tutorials.
Amazingly comprehensive and straightforward is this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Harmony-Melody-Composition-Paul-Sturman/dp/0521569087/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1400916646&sr=8-1&keywords=harmony+melody+and+composition