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Do You Wish You Could Read Music?

Basic Music Theory: How to Read, Write, and Understand Written Music (4th edition)

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Since 2001, one of the most popular books to help you learn to read music. Chapters are short and simple, always friendly and sometimes funny. Learn more, read reviews, and see examples from the book here.

Used by the LA Film School, colleges around the US, as well as middle schools, high schools, home schools, and others interested in a fun, simple way to learn how to read music. 

Basic Music Theory is also available as a Kindle eBook worldwide:

US, Canada, UK, France, Deutschland, Italia, España, Mexico, India, Australia

or buy it from Amazon
If you can read this, you have all the chops you need to read music. Really.

Basic Music Theory has short, easy chapters, designed for real students by a real teacher (that's me) with decades of experience, and a PhD in music education. 

This book is a frequent #1 best-seller in Amazon's "Music Instruction & Study." That kind of quality can't be faked.

This book will help you learn to read music. Find out more below.
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Nederlandse
 Perfect!
By G. Donnald (Ellicott City, MD USA) 
Finally someone came up with a basic music theory book that's actually understandable and readable. Dr. Harnum explains complicated concepts in a way that even someone like me without any music background can easily understand them. I am looking forward to playing an instrument thanks to his help. This is by far the best music theory book I have ever read!
 The Ultimate Do it Yourself for Music Theory
By Prof. Robin Giebelhausen (Illinois)  
Jonathan Harnum has taken an overly complicated subject matter and made it learnable for anyone. And I do mean anyone!!I have been a student of music for over 13 years and a teacher for 3 and I found myself finding new and interesting (and humorous) facts about music theory. This book can teach anyone music theory and keep a smile on their face the entire time.
Paperback now with FREE SHIPPING in the USA, Europe, Australia, and Brazil.
Free Audiobook for first-time listeners on Audible.
Basic Music Theory:
How to Read, Write, and Understand Written Music (4th edition)

 What do all those lines and squiggles and dots mean? Basic Music Theory takes you through the sometimes confusing world of written music with a clear, concise style that is at times funny and always friendly. The book is written by an experienced teacher using methods refined over more than ten years in his private teaching studio and in schools. Lessons are short, well-paced and enjoyable. Whether you're a beginner of any age, whether you're an experienced player who wants to bone up on your theory, or whether you teach music and need a fun way to do it, you'll find this book valuable and will refer to it again and again.

You'll discover how easy it is to:
  • Absorb skills quickly and efficiently with easy lessons designed by a seasoned teacher.
  • Discover the symbols used in written music.
  • Understand the terms musicians use. 
  • Understand how to use the piano keyboard and the guitar fretboard.
  • Use memory devices to learn terms and symbols.
  • Use the included study guides to remember it all.
  • Apply what you've absorbed with short, easy Practical Use sections at the end of each Chapter. 
With Interludes On:
  • Topics Include: how to practice, equipment, how to improve, ear training, listening, private teachers.
  • Conducting. What does all that arm-waving mean? How does it help? Find the answers and learn how!
  • Many musical terms are in Italian. Find out what they are and what they mean in this section.
  • Ultra-brief, non-boring history of music notation.
Special Features:
  • Piano Keyboard w/ Note Names
  • Guitar Fingerboard w/ Note Names
  • Practice Aids
  • Staff Paper
  • Specially Designed Reviews
  • Practical Use Exercises
  • Extensively Cross-Referenced
  • Musical Terms Dictionary
  • Book Index
  • If you're a teacher, you might be interested in the FREE Teacher's Supplement. It contains quizzes and keys, for easy testing (and correcting!) of student knowledge. The link goes to the 2nd edition teaching packet, but the information is essentially the same.
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