(Part 3) 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.

Everything this guy said is gold. I would add a couple things.

• If you are completely new to guitar and not adverse to spending money:
  http://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Handbook-Ralph-Denyer/dp/0679742751/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269624397&sr=8-1
  You can get a lot of this info on line, but the book is a classic.
  
  
• You really want to pick a few songs that you really like and want to play as your goals. It helps you with focus and inspiration. And if you tell us what type of music you are looking to play to start I can recommend more books or websites.
  
  
• For guitars you really get a lot more bank for the buck for a few bucks more. Basically from 100 up to 600 dollars the guitars really improve every bit you spend. However, BloodyThorn is right about wasting guitar equipment. This is why there is so much used equipment on craigslist.
  
  
• For buying a beginner guitar, don't be afraid of buying used. Try craigslist. But if you have a friend that plays, get him to come along and help check it out. And if you decide to keep with the guitar and you outgrow the guitar after a year or two, then you can always use a guitar that you can afford to lose. Much nicer to take your second $150 guitar with you on a boat than your only $700 (or $2000) dollar guitar.

It does take time, even years to learn about synthesis. I would say that the versatility of your keyboard is a hindrance, not a benefit to your learning because although it can do a lot, it is not focused on any aspect of synthesis in particular.

First you need to see synthesis in broad categories. 1. Subtractive, 2. FM, 3. Additive, 4. Granular 5. Hybrid/Sample and Synth... etc.

Definitely master subtractive synthesis first while learning a little bit about the physics of sound such as harmonics (overtones). Having a simple Subtractive synth (it can be a plugin) will limit you in ways that make learning easier.

There are many good books and tutorials online. My favorite is this series of articles by Gordon Reid.

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/may99/articles/synthsec.htm

Gordon Reid is a great teacher. You can also find a lot of really great tutorials by Reid on the Reason website. They are for the most part applicable to any synth or plugin, not just Reason.

http://www.propellerheads.se/substance/discovering-reason/index.cfm?fuseaction=get_article&article=part19

I myself learned from this book, which although old and out of print, was very helpful and well written:

http://www.amazon.com/Electronic-Music-Systems-Techniques-Controls/dp/0697036022/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=books-intl-de&qid=1265751623&sr=8-10

its a really pricey now but i got it at the library. I'm sure there are a ton of other books out there that are just as good. In addition to the fundamentals there are time-tested tricks--you mentioned detuning and layering. But its better if you know a bit about physics and it'll all click for you so you can come up with your own tricks.

have fun!

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.

Honestly, I think wanting to learn now as a uni student is the perfect time to learn.

Don't know music theory? Take a class in it!
Want a piano to learn on? Just go to the music building and practice on their piano!
As for getting involved in music? Join a music club or listen to some musically talented friends!

If you have the urge to learn, that's enough. I am a 23 year old currently teaching myself piano (still in school though, so I don't have to pay for a piano). I started with this book and am currently teaching myself songs from this book. I've also taken some music theory classes in the past, so the learning curve was slightly easier in the theoretical aspects.

As for the software, I don't know enough about that. It seems like many people here do though, so follow their advice on that part.

>you might be surprised just how little someone like me has to say to a student who is sight reading material.

Wanted to see something like this just to mention "The Inner Gamer of Tennis"..

Principles are similar. There's a story in there that basically follows this: get the pupil to focus on taking action instead of thinking so much that they cannot concentrate and do what needs to be done.

It seems like they get used to the difficulty upfront, and get a chance to relax and focus on the easier passages afterwards. Letting them know that they need not produce excellent results on the difficult pieces is crucial to help them relax.

Another example is one I've gleaned from weightlifting. TL;DR version: You're stronger than you think. Keyword: think (and how it can be limiting at times)

I'd say your student has all he needs to sight read, he just needs practice and focus.

> For what it's worth, I like synthesizers a lot, and electric pianos, so traditional classical piano is pretty uninspiring to me. So anything relating more to jazz/rock/blues would be probably interest me more.

Technical drills tend to be very classical by nature. Non-classical music just doesn't push raw technique anywhere near as hard.

The two standards for technical drills are Hanon and Czerny (several books, but this is probably the one to get first). Hanon works on sheer finger speed, strength, and dexterity, while Czerny works more on fingering patterns. In the one I linked, the first two are about scales, the next two are about arpeggios, etc.

Alfred's All-in-One Adult Course book is really great, though if you only have 61 keys you'll have to cut some corners. I still highly recommend it.

And this guy has tons of free lessons, if you can deal with his particular teaching style which is rather long winded and full of bad jokes. (That's not a criticism, he's great at what he does)

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

My instructor had me get this book for learning how to read. It's a great resource in my opinion as it goes through the notes of each string in open position step by step (literally lol).

It definitely includes the circle of fifths, but I'm talking about something more specific:
https://www.amazon.com/Chord-Wheel-Ultimate-Tool-Musicians/dp/0634021427

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

A fake book is just a book of lead sheets. A lead sheet is the chords and melody of a song with usually little else. They're called fake books because they can be used to fake a tune one does't really know. By and large, the most popular jazz fake book is called the Real Book. There are 3 volumes and 5 editions; it was produced by students at Berklee School of Music in the 70's. That jazz style that is so often in music notation software is based on the Real book's handwritten sheets. It's illegal as the songs are unlicensed, but Hal Leonard has created a 6th edition that is updated and fully licensed. You can get it at amazon. You can find versions of the original at your local seedy music store and online with a bit of searching. There are a whole bunch of others. One really excellent one is the New Real Book published by Sher. The tunes are dead accurate and contain most of the arrangements.