The AB Guide To Music Theory - Information and Review

You may think that AB means A to B but actually it means The Associated Board Guide to Music Theory. A bit confusing don't you think? For more information about the Associated Board Click HERE

The Chapters for this book read as follows:

1. The Basics of Rhythm and Tempo

2. Introduction to Pitch

3. Continuing with Rhythm

4. More Scales, Keys and Clefs

5. The Grouping of Notes and Rests

6. Rhythm: Words, Syncopation

7. Intervals and Transpostion

8. Triads and Chords

9. Phrases and Cadences

10. Tempo,Dynamics and Mood

11. Articulation

12. Ornaments and Embellishments

13. Reiterations and Repeats

As you can see from the chapter list it's quite a comprehensive book, but hardly one for the complete novice.

In his Introduction Eric Taylor (the author) says this: "The AB Guide to Music Theory, is an attempt to help people learning music to understand how it is written down, what the various signs and symbols denote, and what the common technical words used by musicians means."

So let's look at the Pros and Cons of The AB Guide to Music Theory;

The Pros

1. The book is a comprehensive study of all the topics you will cover in Grades 1 to 5.

2. The section that concerns setting words to music is very well done.

3. Some good explanations of the different kinds of intervals

4. There are some definitions of musical words but not enough.

5. Good section on tempo mood and dynamics.

6. FANTASTIC LIST OF ITALIAN, GERMAN, FRENCH MUSICAL TERMS

The Cons

1. Considering this book has been written for Grades 1 to 5 the language is far too advanced for children of 8 or 9 (the age at which they would be probably attempting Grade 1 Music Theory)

2. The author often refers to later sections in the book when he's talking about basics. This can become confusing.

3. The diagrams in the book are not particularly well thought out and actually seem to make the concepts more confusing

4. A lot of time is spent on how the music should look rather than on the fundamentals.

5. There are no practical exercises in this book to help the student practice what he has learnt.

6. The style of the book is very serious and doesn't really suit a child's first look into music theory

Overall I enjoyed the book and learnt some new and interesting facts. But I have been studying music for 30 years!

And although I respect professor Eric Taylor's work, you shouldn't need a Phd to understand music!

The book is just too academic for the average reader.

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