Music Theory Books

Number one best selling books with digital bonuses. Finally, how music works.

Music theory books that make music simple

These books teach you to read, write and understand music on any instrument, and singing, in plain words. Each book picks up where the last one ends, so you always know what comes next, and you can learn at home at your own pace.

Where to start

Start with The Best Music Theory Book for Beginners 1. It covers rhythm, reading music, scales, and why certain chords work together, then ends with a bonus chapter on writing your first songs. It is an Amazon Best Seller, rated 4.5 out of 5 from 475 ratings on Amazon.

Book 2 picks up right where Book 1 ends: sixteenth notes and syncopation, bass clef, intervals, more scales and keys, triads, inversions and 7th chords, and the tension and resolution that make music feel like it is going somewhere.

Book 3 is where your music starts to sound like you: complex harmonies and borrowed chords, syncopated rhythms, time signatures beyond 4/4, and the analysis skills to pull apart any song you love and take what works.

Make it stick with the workbooks

Reading about theory is one thing. Using it is another. The Best Music Theory Workbook for Beginners 1 and 2 match Books 1 and 2 with page after page of write-in exercises and a complete answer key, so you always know if you got it right.

What you learn

  • How to read notes, rests and rhythms without feeling lost.
  • How to build scales, intervals and chords.
  • How to use tension and resolution in your own progressions.
  • How to analyze the songs you love and see how they are built.

How shipping works

Every book is a paperback, printed on demand and shipped to your door. Books ship to the US, UK and Canada: free shipping on orders $50 and up, $5.99 flat under that. Right now, books ship only to these three countries. You see the exact shipping price at checkout before you pay.

Book 1 comes with free video examples and printable flash cards, and Workbook 1 comes with free digital quizzes. You reach these bonuses through the QR codes in each book.

Prefer video?

The Music Theory 1, 2 and 3 courses follow the same path as Books 1, 2 and 3, with video lessons you watch online.

About the author

Dan Spencer is a composer, author and coach. His music books have sold 20,000+ copies, and he has 26 million+ views on Music Theory for Gamers, his YouTube channel.

Questions about a book? Email support@bestmusiccoach.com.