re: recommendation for AP music theory textbook

[Roadrunner]

Do you have a recommendation for a good textbook for AP music theory? 

DS is only in 6th, but he is an advanced player with a perfect pitch and enough knowledge to render WTMA Intermediate Music Theory class too easy. We don't plan on taking an AP exam, but we are desperate to find good music theory books to further own studies. I know enough to help out, but would prefer if solutions key was available. It doesn't have to be specifically an AP textbook, but anything written for a younger audience we found is repetitive, moves slowly, and simply not too exciting. 

We might take two or even three years to work through the book if needed, but we would love a serious textbook. 

Local CC does offer music theory, but it's twice a week in the morning, and it will be simply too much driving and too much time spent on it for now. 

I am eyeing Tonal Harmony by Kostka, but not sure if it's a right choice. 

 

[Emerald Stoker]

I don't know the AP theory exam, but have taught theory lots of times; the book you mention is a good one. Also good is Aldwell & Schachter (I would say the gold standard for harmony books, but it's not an easy one by any means); the Gauldin harmony book is also excellent, and to my mind, a little less dry than A&S. I wonder if he'd like a programmed text (the kind where there's a blurb in a box followed by a question, and the answer is on the other half of the page--you cover the answers as you go along). The classic one is the Harder text, but Norton publishes one as well (or did last time I looked). Those texts work well when you are having to work on your own and want to go at your own pace.

 

Hope that helps!

 

Links:

https://www.amazon.com/Harmony-Voice-Leading-Edward-Aldwell/dp/0495189758

https://www.amazon.com/Harmonic-Practice-Tonal-Music-Second/dp/0393976661/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1479879182&sr=1-3&keywords=gauldin+harmony

https://www.amazon.com/Harmonic-Materials-Tonal-Music-Programmed/dp/0205271642/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1479879208&sr=1-6&keywords=paul+harder+theory

https://www.amazon.com/Harmonic-Materials-Tonal-Music-Programmed/dp/0205629717/ref=pd_sim_14_1?

https://www.amazon.com/Harmonic-Progressions-Norton-Programmed-Theory/dp/0393953726/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1479879277&sr=1-1&keywords=norton+programmed+text+music+theory_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=XVS65R1373VS8CANH6WT

[Roadrunner]

I don't know the AP theory exam, but have taught theory lots of times; the book you mention is a good one. Also good is Aldwell & Schachter (I would say the gold standard for harmony books, but it's not an easy one by any means); the Gauldin harmony book is also excellent, and to my mind, a little less dry than A&S. I wonder if he'd like a programmed text (the kind where there's a blurb in a box followed by a question, and the answer is on the other half of the page--you cover the answers as you go along). The classic one is the Harder text, but Norton publishes one as well (or did last time I looked). Those texts work well when you are having to work on your own and want to go at your own pace.

 

Hope that helps!

 

Links:

https://www.amazon.com/Harmony-Voice-Leading-Edward-Aldwell/dp/0495189758

https://www.amazon.com/Harmonic-Practice-Tonal-Music-Second/dp/0393976661/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1479879182&sr=1-3&keywords=gauldin+harmony

https://www.amazon.com/Harmonic-Materials-Tonal-Music-Programmed/dp/0205271642/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1479879208&sr=1-6&keywords=paul+harder+theory

https://www.amazon.com/Harmonic-Materials-Tonal-Music-Programmed/dp/0205629717/ref=pd_sim_14_1?

https://www.amazon.com/Harmonic-Progressions-Norton-Programmed-Theory/dp/0393953726/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1479879277&sr=1-1&keywords=norton+programmed+text+music+theory_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=XVS65R1373VS8CANH6WT

 

 

Am I reading right that the last two links to a Programmed Course include solutions in the text so I don't need to be hunting down teacher materials? That looks really appealing to me. 

If I go this route, I see there is a text with CD

https://www.amazon.com/Harmonic-Materials-Tonal-Music-Programmed/dp/0205691056/ref=sr_1_14?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1479880999&sr=1-14

but is there a separate workbook that I am not finding?

 

If I go with Aldwell text, does a solutions manual exist? And is it O.K. to go with earlier edition? 

The price points on those books are terrifying. 

[Emerald Stoker]

Correct--programmed texts include the solutions. Usually one writes directly in the book, so a workbook is not needed.

 

There's an instructor's manual for the Aldwell/Schachter on a companion website, I think, but I don't know if it's readily available to non-professors. Earlier editions of the textbook would be just fine.

 

The Aldwell & Schachter and Gauldin books both have workbooks available. The Kostka and Payne will likely be the most user-friendly book of those three for a younger student.

 

Yes, they're hideously expensive (they're university textbooks--so it's the same problem as with texts in other courses--lots of dough, too many editions, etc.). If you decide to go with one of those, I'd buy a used clean copy of an older edition--harmony hasn't changed much!

[Ms Brooks]

My DD took the AP Music exam a few years back. She went on to take 10 more AP exams. She said the music exam was by far the most difficult. At the time she had been playing piano for more than 10 years, completed all 10 levels of the California Certificate of Merit program-performance, sight reading, ear training, and written theory exams, but that programs was not enough to prepare for the AP Music exam. The AP Music exam is more than just music theory and ear training.

 

We have used Keith Snell theory books preparatory through level 10 with great success, but there is no answer key other than our piano teacher.

[Roadrunner]

My DD took the AP Music exam a few years back. She went on to take 10 more AP exams. She said the music exam was by far the most difficult. At the time she had been playing piano for more than 10 years, completed all 10 levels of the California Certificate of Merit program-performance, sight reading, ear training, and written theory exams, but that programs was not enough to prepare for the AP Music exam. The AP Music exam is more than just music theory and ear training.

 

We have used Keith Snell theory books preparatory through level 10 with great success, but there is no answer key other than our piano teacher.

I am familiar with Snell books and along with other theory books accompanying the "method" books, I find them inadequate. That's why I am asking about AP level (college level) texts. We don't intend to take AP Music exam for reasons unrelated to difficulty.

 

I am staring at the Norton link suggested by Emerald Stoler for budgetary reasons. It looks like reviews are good, and a the price is accessible. If anybody has used this one and has objections, please let me know.

[Dmmetler]

Honestly, I'd look at having him do a college theory placement exam, and go from there. AP theory is rarely accepted for music majors. Rather, they place based on their in-house test. For non-majors, it's a relatively hard test that replaces an easy elective. If he doesn't place into theory 1, I'd look at something like the non-credit online class U. Memphis offers to prepare for theory placements over a textbook. If he does, this would be a good option https://online.berklee.edu/courses/interest/music-theory-harmony-and-ear-training, or do a class at a local uni.

[Guest]

I think the standard college text is called "Tonal Harmony" by Kostka & Payne.

 

This was the book I used as a music minor 25 years ago. I was surprised when moving my 18yo son into his dorm a few months ago to see another student have it in his pile of textbooks. Apparently it is still being used today.

Edited November 24, 2016 by Kinsa

[Roadrunner]

Honestly, I'd look at having him do a college theory placement exam, and go from there. AP theory is rarely accepted for music majors. Rather, they place based on their in-house test. For non-majors, it's a relatively hard test that replaces an easy elective. If he doesn't place into theory 1, I'd look at something like the non-credit online class U. Memphis offers to prepare for theory placements over a textbook. If he does, this would be a good option https://online.berklee.edu/courses/interest/music-theory-harmony-and-ear-training, or do a class at a local uni.

We decided against CC because it would take seven hours out of our week between class time and driving and that's not counting homework. For a STEM kid not heading into music, I think it's way too much time spent on extra curricular. We aren't planning on taking the exam since he isn't heading into music, but he just wants to learn for learning sake.

 

Now I am back to debating between Norton and Kostka. We plan on spending 2 or 3 years to slowly work through it.

[zaichiki]

My dd's class uses this one. https://www.amazon.com/Concise-Introduction-Harmony-Poundie-Burstein/dp/0393600467

It is probably written for college students, but is clear enough for younger students to understand with a teacher's help.  (Dd's class includes musically talented kids ages 10+.)

I don't know if it starts at "the beginning," though dd's class (not a first year class) started somewhere in the middle of the book.  I don't know if there is a solutions key...

Good luck!

 

 

[zaichiki]

My dd's class uses this one. https://www.amazon.com/Concise-Introduction-Harmony-Poundie-Burstein/dp/0393600467

It is probably written for college students, but is clear enough for younger students to understand with a teacher's help.  (Dd's class includes musically talented kids ages 10+.)

I don't know if it starts at "the beginning," though dd's class (not a first year class) started somewhere in the middle of the book.  I don't know if there is a solutions key...

Good luck!

 

http://books.wwnorton.com/books/webad-detail-instructors.aspx?id=4294990320

Aha! Downloadable instructor's resources at this link!

[zaichiki]

My dd's class uses this one. https://www.amazon.com/Concise-Introduction-Harmony-Poundie-Burstein/dp/0393600467

It is probably written for college students, but is clear enough for younger students to understand with a teacher's help.  (Dd's class includes musically talented kids ages 10+.)

I don't know if it starts at "the beginning," though dd's class (not a first year class) started somewhere in the middle of the book.  I don't know if there is a solutions key...

Good luck!

 

And once more...

 

Here is one of the authors talking about the book/approach.

[laughing lioness]

Have you looked at Math in Motion by Classical Conversations? It is challenging, to say to the least.

[Roadrunner]

Have you looked at Math in Motion by Classical Conversations? It is challenging, to say to the least.

That looks interesting, but I prefer a well tested college textbook. I might try it for a second kid.

[Donna]

Dd's online music theory class uses â€‹The Musician's Guide to Theory and Analysis by Clendinning. There is a workbook and an anthology for ear training. It is rather expensive unless you can find it used (which I did).

 

It was listed as a text for something else I looked into because I had it on my Amazon Wishlist prior to signing her up for the online class. I thought it was MIT Open Courseware but is not the text there now. Dd's friend who has a doctorate in music theory and was helping dd with something she was having difficulty understanding said it was one of her favorite texts.