The Complete Idiot''s Guide to Music Theory

Introduction

Let Me Know What You Think

I always love to hear from my readers—especially when the readers are fel-
low musicians! If you want to contact me, feel free to e-mail me at
[email protected]. I can’t promise that I’ll answer every e-mail,
but I will promise that I’ll read each one!

I also recommend that you check out my personal website at
http://www.molehillgroup.com. That’s where you’ll find any corrections to this book,
as well as learn about all the new books I’ve written. (Who knows—you might
find another book you want to read!)

It’s Time to Start—in Theory, at Least!

I hope I’ve convinced you of the many benefits of learning music theory. Now it’s
time to stop talking and start doing—so turn the page and get ready to learn!

Acknowledgments

I had assistance from dozens of individuals in the creation of this book and
would like to thank the following for their help:

Thanks to the usual suspects at Alpha Books, including but not limited to Marie
Butler-Knight, Renee Wilmeth, Kathy Bidwell, and Joan Paterson, for helping
to turn my manuscript into a printed book. For the second edition of this book,
I’d also like to thank Jennifer Moore, Janette Lynn, and Cari Luna for their
additional work.

Thanks to my junior high school music teacher and lifelong friend, Phyllis
Fulford, for suggesting some important changes to the book’s outline, and for
encouraging my talents way back when.

xxi

These boxes con-

tain definitions of words or

terms pertaining to a spe-

cific aspect of music theory.

Definition

These boxes con-

tain warnings and cau-

tions about what to avoid

when you’re reading and

writing music.

Warning

These boxes contain addi-

tional information about

the topic at hand.

Note

These boxes con-

tain advice about

how best to use the

theory presented in

the main text.

Tip