Theory Books & Software

Essentials of Jazz Theory
A Complete Self-Study Course
by Shelton Berg
Essentials of Jazz Theory is designed for jazz enthusiasts
and musicians who want to learn jazz concepts and terminology.
To get the most out of this course, it is recommended that you have
a good understanding of basic theory, such as the lessons in
Books 1-3 of Alfred's Essentials of Music Theory. The book
contains lessons with both written and music reading exercises and ear-training and
listening are addressed through the included CDs. Each unit is complete with a review
section. Playing and/or singing along with each example is encouraged throughout the book.
The Self Study Course includes lessons, a complete answer key to check your work,
and three listening and ear-training CDs.

Thirty Days to Music Intervals
Ready to use Lessons and Reproducible Activities
by Audrey Snyder
From the popular “Thirty Days” series, here is another
publication for teaching basic music concepts. These self-guided
lessons and ready-to-use reproducible activity sheets are ideal
for choir, band, general music class and orchestra.
Each of the thirty lessons in this book is presented in a logical
sequence, and will help students learn to recognize all types of intervals through
both sight and sound. Throughout the series of flexible lessons, students are given
ample opportunity to sing and play the whole array of intervals, and develop their
musicianship by identifying intervals within the context of melodies. Whether presented
as a comprehensive unit, or stretched throughout the entire semester or year, the lessons
can be used for whole group, small group or individual study, saving valuable class time
for rehearsal and other activities.

Thirty More Days to Music Theory
Ready to use Lessons and Reproducible Activities
by Sharon Stosur
By popular demand, the “Thirty Days” series proudly presents
30 MORE self-guided lessons and reproducible activity sheets
covering the basics of music theory. Whether a veteran or newcomer
to the series, this volume will expand your students' musical knowledge
of note values, rhythm reading, time signatures, syncopation, melodic
notation, scales & intervals, key signatures and much, much more! Have fun exploring
the basics through a variety of activities, games and puzzles, all presented in a logical
sequence for music learning that lasts! For GR. 4-8.

Essentials of Music Theory Books
Software Version 2
by Andrew Surmani/ Karen Farnum Surmani/ Morton Manus
Perfect for band, orchestra, choir, general music, or private
students. Software available in student, educator, lab pack
and network versions. Version 2.0 software is packed with
new features: MIDI compatible on select screens, teachers
can add their own custom questions and exercises,
custom test scores are recorded electronically, user-variable degree of emphasis
on alto and tenor clef, and more. Software version covers all material from the
Essentials of  Music Theory book series and includes narration of new concepts,
animation, exercises, games and ear training to motivate while strengthening
musical skills. If a student tries to exit a Review before completing it they get a
“Warning: Your score will be lost if you exit the Review before completing it.”
Requires passing grade for advancement (optional). You can set a percentage for
each individual that they music exceed for them to be allowed to go on to the next
level (available on the Educator, Lab Pack, and Network versions only)
Ability to switch back and forth between full screen and windowed mode.

Essentials of Jazz Theory Bks 1, 2 & 3
by Shelton Berg

 Designed for jazz enthusiasts and musicians who want to have a
better understanding of the language of jazz. To successfully navigate
this all-in-one jazz theory course, you should be versed in basic
music theory concepts, such as those taught in Books 1 & 2 of
Essentials of Music Theory. With this book, you will: learn the essentials
of jazz music through concise lessons; practice your jazz music reading and
writing skills in the exercises; improve your listening and ear training skills
with the CD’s; and test your knowledge with a review that completes each
unit. You are encouraged to play and/or sing the musical examples throughout,
at first along with the enclosed recording, and then on your own.
Note: Also available is a Complete Edition with 3 CD's.

Standard of Excellence
Music Theory & History Workbook 1,2,3
by Chuck Elledge/ Jane Yarbrough/ Bruce Pearson

Each book has questions in both the Theory and History
sections on each page.

Book 1 

Notating music • Composing rhythms & melodies
 Note names in treble & bass clef

  Book 2
Review concepts learned in Book 1 • Key signatures
Create major & minor scales and chords
Challenging new rhythms • Enhancement of music notation

Book 3 
Review and apply material already learned • Interval quality • Key relationships
Chord function • Cadences • Asymmetrical meters • Pentatonic and whole-tone scales
Serialism • The Blues • Composing and analyzing music • Learning how it all relates
to the history of music through the centuries • Offers many opportunities to build
listening skills

Teacher’s Edition Books 1,2 & 3
Answer Key includes full size reproductions of student pages • Assessment Quizzes
Classroom Helps • Authorized pages for duplication or transparencies

30 Days to Music Theory

Ready to use Lessons and Reproducible Activities   
by Ellen Wilmeth

Here’s a fantastic resource for busy music teachers everywhere -

a curriculum teaching the basics of music theory in a practical,

easy to use reproducible kit that’s idea for choirs, bands,

general music classes & orchestras. Each lesson includes

basic musical concepts, explanation, vocabulary, activity

and practice. Games encourage creativity and composition.

Can be used for whole group, small group of individual study.
 

30 Days to Rhythm

Ready to use Lessons and Reproducible Activities

by Betsy Henderson

A curriculum that teaches the basics of rhythm in a practical,
easy-to-use reproducible kit that’s ideal for choirs, bands,

general music classes and orchestras. This helpful book with
reproducible pages helps students understand the concepts
of beat, rhythm, accents, duration, value, meter and syncopation.
Each of the 30 lessons are presented in a logical sequence with
games and creative activities to enhance learning.

30 Days to Melody

Ready to use Lessons and Reproducible Activities

by Betsy Henderson

Basic music concepts with self-guided lessons and
ready-to-use reproducible activity sheets - ideal for choirs,
bands, general music classes and orchestras. Each of the 30
lessons is presented in a logical sequence to help students
experiment with scales, intervals, solfege &
hand signs, key signatures, notation, sight-reading,
harmony and much more!

Elementary Music Rudiments

by Mark Sarnecki

Elementary Music Rudiments meets the new theory requirements,
and is an excellent way to prepare for rudiments examinations.
It also offers practical assistance to those who want a fuller
understanding and enjoyment of music. Teachers will save hours
of preparation time when using these books to teach theory.
Topics are explained simply and completely and there are plenty
of exercises to help the student to master basic concepts.
Available in: Preliminary • Grade 1 • Grade 2  •

Answer Book (includes all 3 grades)

Test Papers: Preliminary  • Grade 1 • Grade 2

Complete Elementary Rudiments

by Mark Sarnecki

Preliminary, Grade 1 and Grade 2 rudiments in one clear,
concise, and easy to use volume. Information indicating
each grade level is clearly and conveniently located in the left
margin of each page. A comprehensive rudiments course
covering notation, pitch, rhythm, meter, key signatures,
major and minor scales, intervals, chords, modal scales,
melody writing, the keyboard and beginning harmony.

An answer book is available.

Harmony Book 1

by Mark Sarnecki

This volume is designed to be an effective course for music
study for basic harmony and voice leading. Melody writing,
music analysis, and form are covered through carefully selected
examples and exercises. Beginning with the basic progression V-I,
this book gradually and systematically expands harmonic
vocabulary.
Recommended for Grade 3 Harmony

Harmony Book 2

by Mark Sarnecki

     
This second volume builds on the concepts covered in

Harmony Book 1 to provide a further discussion of harmonic language.

Concise and informative explanations address topics such as triads,

dominant 7th, 9th, 11th, and 13th chords, diatonic 7ths, secondary

dominants and leading-note chords, modulation, harmonic and

structural analysis, and melody writing.

Recommended for Grade 4 Harmony

Harmony Book 3

by Mark Sarnecki

This final volume in the Harmony series by Mark Sarnecki
concludes his discussion on the fundamentals of harmonic language.
Teachers and students alike will appreciate the clear, straightforward
approach as well as the carefully selected music examples and exercises.
This book provides a general course of study for chromatic harmony
and voice leading.
Recommended for Grade 5 Harmony

Elementary Rudiments of Music - Revised Edition

by Barbara Wharram

This comprehensive book, suitable for the older beginner,
is recommended for preparation for RCM Examinations
Preliminary, Grades 1 and 2 Rudiments examinations.
Revisions to this proven favourite ensure that it is up-to-date
with changes to the theory curriculum as outlined in
The Royal Conservatory of Music Theory Syllabus,
2002 edition. An answer book is available.

Recommended for Preliminary through Grade 2 Rudiments examinations.

Exploring Music History: A Guided Approach
by Janet Lopinski, Joe Ringhofer and Peteris Zarins

This invaluable three-volume resource was developed to support
students and teachers who are preparing for music history 
RCM examinations. Each volume contains a variety of features that
will enrich the learning experience and give students a broader
perspective, including:

Historical timelines

Cross-references to pieces in the Celebration Series, The Piano Odyssey

Web Quests that invite students to use the internet as a resource

Did You Know? sections that present interesting or unusual facts
and stories

Review and Reflection sections that help students synthesize the information presented

Volume 1: Baroque to the Modern Era

Volume 2: Middle Ages to Classical

Volume 3: 19th and 20th Centuries

Materials of Western Music Parts 1,2,3

by William G. Andrews & Molly Sclater

Part 1: Recommended for Grade 3 Harmony

Part 2: Recommended for Grade 4 Harmony

Part 3: Recommended for Grade 5 Harmony

We also stock all of the Royal Conservatory of Music Celebration Series
“Piano Odyssey”  piano books from Introductory to Grade 10.
Piano Repertoire, Piano Studies & Student Workbooks.

The Jazz Theory Book
Mark Levine

The most comprehensive Jazz Theory book ever
published. Over 500 pages of text and over 750 musical
examples. Written in the language of the working jazz
musician, this book is easy to read and user-friendly.
At the same time, it is the most comprehensive study of
jazz harmony and theory ever published. Mark Levine has
worked with Bobby Hutcherson, Cal Tjader, Joe Henderson,
Woody Shaw, and many other jazz greats.

We also carry the following RCM recommended books.

Basic Rhythmic Training - Starer
Basics of Harmony - Vandendool
Early Music: A Study Guide - Ringhofer
Elements of 18th Century Counterpoint - Andrews/Sclater
Keyboard Theory Preparatory Books A to E - Vandendool
Keyboard Theory - Preparatory, Level 1, Level 2 - Vandendool
Keys to Music Rudiments - text and 6 workbooks - Berlin/Sclater/Sinclair
Preliminary, Grade 1 and Grade 2 Rudiments - Lawless
Rhythmic Training - Starer
Romantic Music: A Study Guide - Ringhofer
Rudiments of Music Bks 1 to 9 - Ahrens
Theory Drill Games Bks 1,2 & 3 - Thompson
Theory for Beginners - Wharram
Theory Papers Bks 1,2 & 3 - Burnam

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