(Part 2) Top products from r/Learnmusic

Yes, counterpoint assumes that you have a foundation in 18th century harmonic practice, also known as "common period" practices, e.g. voice leading as practiced by Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, etc.

Harmony by Walter Piston is very thorough, but it's a serious treatment and perhaps not for the faint of heart. Also, you may want to get an edition before the fifth as it's substantially different from a pedagogical standpoint than the earlier editions. I can also recommend Kostka's Tonal Harmony very highly, but also a serious treatment. In fact, it may be best just to start with the Kostka and pick up the Piston later if the fancy strikes you.

These two books teach harmony in very structured way, and in many ways that's the best for learning counterpoint. Eventually, depending on how serious you want to get about composition, you may want to read Schoenberg's book Theory of Harmony. It covers the same material as most harmony books, but it does so from the perspective of the composer. It's even a little philosophical (and dense). It's not unusual for graduate students to re-learn harmony using the Schoenberg text as it forces you to think like a composer. Of course it's a more difficult read, but only if you're unprepared.

If you'd like something a little more easy, there's no shame in getting the Dummies series book on harmony. It does the job with a minimum of depth. Frankly, though, it's in your best interest to start with a solid, university level textbook like the first two I mentioned if you want to tackle counterpoint. Eventually, it's a good idea to read more than one book on tonal theory anyway, so it can't hurt to start with the Kostka and just put it down and use the "Dummies" book. You can always just come back to it later.

There's also a free, Berklee Intro to Music Theory course on edX. It says enrollment is closed, but I'm still able to view the lessons once I log in.

I'm new to learning about music as well, and this book has been very helpful: How Music Works. It's written very conversationally, not too technical, with great explanations of core concepts.

Also picked up The Complete Musician, which is very technical.

For writing software, Muse Score is free.

I'd also recommend getting a midi keyboard as well, if you don't already have one.

I went to berklee and this was our textbook:
https://www.amazon.com/Tonal-Harmony-B-Music/dp/0078025141
Also ear training helps, it is pretty hard though, you have to practice alot. Im sure you can find some youtube vids to help.

I've been playing around with electronic music for years, but only started taking it really seriously the past year. I've read a lot of books, and honestly, NOTHING has been more helpful to me than The dance music manual.

My suggestion comes merely from my own learning experience which has so far been

clefs/staffs/measures > pitch > rhythm > time signatures > intervals (perfects, majors, minors, augmented)

Which is form THIS book which I think is really great for self study, and challenging too.

180 bpm is very fast indeed. Not something I would be worrying about while beginning learning to read; I would start at about 60/70 and maybe work my way up to about 100.

Saying note names as you go can be a helpful way of learning note positions across the neck—if it works for you, then go ahead.

I'd recommend this book http://www.amazon.co.uk/Modern-Method-Guitar-Volumes-Complete/dp/0876390114 as a good means of learning to sight read.

That is very much like Victor Wooten's approach to soloing and improv. I would recommend both his book and DVD

I just want to second this. I learned a lot of tunes from YouTube videos and looking at the keys. Once I took lessons, where I was forced to look at the music and not the keyboard, I realized that I had not been making progress with YouTube because I was looking at the keyboard. It seems counter-intuitive but it is, for me, easier to make progress now that I have learned the notes and positions.

Find a children's piano book that starts with the five-finger method and work a bit every day. I think you will get further, faster, than with a lighted keyboard.

And actually, if you are willing to drop the $$, then this book: https://www.amazon.com/PianoLab-Introduction-Class-Keyboard-Guitar/dp/049589768X/ref=sr_1_48?ie=UTF8&qid=1487093254&sr=8-48&keywords=piano+textbook
would cost you less than a lighted keyboard and get you further. But there are plenty of beginner adult piano books for much less.

Here's a book which specifically disproves your theory:

https://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Zero-Science-Becoming-Musical/dp/0143122789

It was written by Gary Marcus who is the Director of the NYU Center for Language and Music and Professor of Psychology at New York University, and was co-written by Steven Pinker who might be the top cognitive scientist in the world.

.. or you can check at the source -- from a renowned composer: https://www.amazon.com/What-Listen-Music-Signet-Classics/dp/0451531760

I've begun reading this for my Poetry & Song class at university. Here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/Book-Rhymes-Poetics-Hip-Hop/dp/0465003478/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1291152308&sr=8-1

This breaks down rap's poetic elements significantly before you.

>i tested a few

What testing methodologies did you employ? I find double blind to be significant in this regard.

>the other one had voices, voices sound, or what you ppl call acapella, i hate acapella, hate all acapella versions of regular songs

Which one was A capella? Which by the way originally meant to wear a small cloak.

>it's just noise

Yes. The Rest is Noise

>it just had no meaning

This might help. Or this. Especially chapter 8.