How to Read Music in 30 Days: Music Theory for Beginners - with exercises & online audio (Practical Musical Theory)

It's a very thorough step by step book to assist with music reading and rhythm. I haven't gotten far into it despite having had it for a year. Not sure if I'll ever get the time to do it, but it's definitely designed for the beginner and is so easily understandable. I would recommend this book for someone who has the time/motivation to dedicate to learning it. UPDATE: If I could give this book TEN stars, I would. I am going back through this book (faster) four years later, and I finally used the online tools that came with it. Usually I don't use the online tools that come with a book because they're piecemeal and wonky. This book, however, has an entire course online that goes with this book!! It's laid out in an organized way, just like you were taking an online credit course. It's beautifully easy to use and really solidifies everything the book is explaining. I can't recommend this book enough! Of all self teaching books I've read and used over the years, this one absolutely rivals the most impactful. TEN STARS!!

My son joined the school orchestra but he doesn't have much experience, so we got him this book to help him learn to read music. It's a great resource, with clear information, good exercises for practice, and a nice flow to the material. My son had no trouble with the concepts or activities because they were explained so well, and he feels much more confident in his music reading ability now. It's really coming through in his performance, as well - good book.

I bought this book because I'm currently studying voice (with a teacher) and piano (myself, primarily from Alfred books) and decided I needed a much better music theory foundation for both. I'm happy to say that after completing the book I feel that I have that. Separated into three basic sections — rhythm, pitch, and expression — it takes you from the most basic "this is what a quarter note looks like" to increasingly more advanced (but still appropriate for beginners) lessons in understanding how to read, write, and hear the different aspects of music. The structure and division of these concepts is well-paced and laid out. In each lesson, there are audio examples (which you're given a download link for when you get the book) which really help you understand the application of the concepts being discussed. Most of these are excerpts from well-known classical pieces. At the end of each lesson, there are written exercises (an answer key is provided in the download for these and the book's final test). On many days, there are additionally "listening challenges" where you're given a set of excerpts (some included in the download, others you can look up on YouTube or elsewhere) and are asked to determine things related to the lesson, like whether each one is a march or a waltz. Later you're also encouraged to follow along with the piece's sheet music as you listen for certain things. I found the exercises, audio, and listening challenges extremely helpful as I learn best with a combination of types of input — not just reading but writing, seeing, and hearing the music in action really helped cement the ideas for me. Throughout the book, the author gives his email address and says to contact him at any time. I took him up on that and he was extremely responsive, even updating the book itself based on my question. If you're looking for a good way to learn or brush up on music notation and basic theory, this is a great intro.

Can't learn to play a melody on a musical instrument without understanding written music. This book is an excellent source for learning the latter. It's simple, clear and easy to understand and absorb for someone who has no experience in reading music.

Over a month ago, I started reading this book. Just from the thought that I wanted to be able to read music before I started learning violin. I read reviewed of many books on Amazon and decided to buy this book. I am happy with the book. I made right decision. I now can absolutely read musics and started playing violin. I learned how to read music from zero. This book explained things very simple and easy to understand. Believe me, there are other books I bought and I had no idea what the author talked about in many sections. Matthew explained things clearly and simply. There are some chapters that required more times and concentration to revisit and review what message he just said. But once you understand then you understand clearly. Matthew is a great teacher. He does create this book with his heart. The book reveals his care, his good intention. You pay so little for the book that come with load of samples (online access) and you can easily reach Matthew via email. He responds you quickly! Such as awesome teacher.

One regret I've had was never learning music, but it's never too late! This book is exactly what I needed to become aware and start understanding what lies within the lines of those staves! Well written and easy to follow, there are also many web-based audio examples which support the text making the lessons easier to comprehend! I might take a slight bit more than 30 days to read music but that's my choice! I have also ordered his Music Theory book to further my studies in music! 5 STARS!!!

This has to be hands down the best introduction music theory book I have come across. I picked up this book after I heard the author interviewed on a podcast. I wanted to improve my composition for music exams and it seemed like that was where the author was coming from but the book and accompanying free course have done so much more. To help embed the theory you are learning the author has included score reading challenges (the scores can all be found for free online). This has really improved my active listening and ability to hear subtleties in music. The book used in this way creates a solid practice link between music theory and ear training. This part of the book/course is over two hours of active listening. Likewise playing music will improve. The way the material is explained I could make a solid connection between theory and my performance. One specific example is the discussion on syncopation. At the moment I’m working on Maple Leaf Rag and the explanation gave me a light bulb moment. At the end of every chapter is a short quiz and at the very end is a course quiz. This helps to embed what you have learned before you move on further grounding your theory . Because the book is self published the the need to pay for full publisher’s production costs were avoided and consequently the book is great value. I would imagine if it was produced by a publisher the cost would be at least twice what it is especially with the course that accompanies the book. Being self published there are some minor typos but nothing that affects the accuracy of the information. They are mostly of the kind where the text says ’10 examples’ and 8 examples are provided. For me this book is a solid 5 stars and I was surprised to see people give it one star. I had a quick look to see why their experience differed to mine. Some people criticised the lack of author response to download issues. This may have been a past problem that has been resolved. The course to accompany the book has an active discussion board where you can post questions as you go through the book’s material. I always got a reply within 24 hours. One person complained that the examples were of for a keyboard and not other instruments. I’m not a piano player (stringed instruments), however the linear pitch layout of the piano and white natural notes with black accented notes makes it a very clear tool for explanation that every musician can benefit from. It would be impossible to include examples for all instruments and only one chapter is piano specific when piano pedal marks were discussed. In summary great a value and engaging book with a well thought out and supportive course which will help me with composition, appreciation and performance. This will definitely improve my enjoyment of listening to and playing music and isn’t that what it’s all about?

FANTASTICO LIBRO PARA PRINCIPIANTES.

Written in a lucid manner, the book is worth the money spent. Sight reading can be intimidating for beginners like me, however this book made it easy and fun to learn. Filled with exercises, audio examples and an online community for support, readers will have rich learning experience using this book and will feel confident reading music.

This book is very helpful for musical theory. It is easy to read and understand because of the drawings, examples, downloadable music, and exercises. It is a good refresher for things I already know and helpful tips for those I have not learnt or not remembered. I can recommend this book. It is summed up in a simple, comprehensive, uncomplicated manner.

This book has two elements that other books either don't have or don't do as well: breaking down certain aspects of music in a way you will understand forever and audio examples that accompany each and every single lesson. The best way to use this book is to have your browser opened on the online companion (called "school of composition") and go through each lesson, listening to all the samples provided and going through the listening challenged and quizzes. I suppose that the people wondering whether to buy this book or not are new to music and want to start somewhere, find a course or method that isn't too demanding or intimidating. But there is no such thing. Learning music is not like learning a new language, it is learning a new language and it requires effort, focus and dedication. Some will find certain lessons in this book easy to understand and apply, others will have to go through them again and again. But it's worth it and at the end of this book you will have fairly good knowledge of the basics of music theory and a solid well-rounded knowledge of how to read a music sheet. This is just one of many many books and courses you should go through in order to have a solid grasp of music, and the author's other book on music theory is the one I plan on reading next. For me the real gem of this book were the audio samples that Matthew Ellul has picked as examples which are excerpts of a very wide variety of classical music pieces. This has truly awakened me to the depth and beauty of classical music, and that's all I've been listening to on my spotify.