Theory and ear training books

[outburst]

I've been playing piano for a 3 years now (started as an adult) and I believe that my ear and my theory knowledge are severely underdeveloped.
So I decided I should take some time to develop these areas and not always practice the piano.
Are there any good reference books that I can use on my own?

I've tried several different things to improve my hearing but the lack of results takes my motivation away. If I could find something that worked I would have no problem sticking to it because I'm a fairly disciplened person.

[gene2701]

ic. thats interesting.

first of all, what is u want to be able to 'achieve' in music?

everybody should hv a certain 'measurement' set up for themselves?

so my qns is, my friend...do u want to

1. just learn theory for the sake of it?
2. learn theory so u can get awwy with practicing? (trust me, it doesnt work that way my friend)
3. learn theory so u can gain a better understanding of classical music?
4. learn theory so u can become a jazz pianist/improviser?
5. learn theory so u can branch out to different fields of music... conducting/playing other instruments/teaching

..think abt it. i m here to help.

[outburst]

ic. thats interesting.

first of all, what is u want to be able to 'achieve' in music?

everybody should hv a certain 'measurement' set up for themselves?

so my qns is, my friend...do u want to

1. just learn theory for the sake of it?
2. learn theory so u can get awwy with practicing? (trust me, it doesnt work that way my friend)
3. learn theory so u can gain a better understanding of classical music?
4. learn theory so u can become a jazz pianist/improviser?
5. learn theory so u can branch out to different fields of music... conducting/playing other instruments/teaching

..think abt it. i m here to help.

I would say number 3. I think that if I have a better understanding it would help me in several areas, such as, memorization or interpretation.

My ultimate goal is to become a better pianist and in order to do that I believe I need to be more well-rounded in my training as a musician and not just practicing the piano all the time.

[nanabush]

The Mark Sarnecki theory books are really good (as long as you have someone knowledgeable to fill in a few minor things).  He's got an adult 'all in one book' that parallels the RCM theory syllabus in three levels.  There is nothing wrong with the book (no matter what people say about all in one books) because it shows you what level each chapter covers.  The explanations are thorough and there are loads of exercises.

It covers key signatures, scales, intervals, chords, transposition, rhythm (simple and compound), basic analysis, cadences, and italian/french/german terms (not necessarily in that exact order though).  Students I've sent for theory exams who use that book all get high 80's to high 90's on their exams.

Usually you can find sight reading AND ear training in one book.  This would be a good tool to compliment theory (it's crazy how you can apply some things you learn in theory directly to sight reading).  I've never used a step-by-step ear training book; do you have a teacher or someone who could help you learn ear tests?

If not, one of my students mentioned on youtube that there are some ear test traning videos; they'll play an interval, chord, etc, and give you 5 seconds to identify it, then they say the answer.  You can probably find sources like this elsewhere online too if you are without a teacher.  It's not the easiest thing teaching yourself ear training, but something else you can do is be extra aware when you are playing your pieces.  Think of the tonalities, the key changes, the chords, and anything else.  If you really know WHAT you are playing, then you may know what you are listening for in your music. 

[outburst]

The Mark Sarnecki theory books are really good (as long as you have someone knowledgeable to fill in a few minor things).  He's got an adult 'all in one book' that parallels the RCM theory syllabus in three levels.  There is nothing wrong with the book (no matter what people say about all in one books) because it shows you what level each chapter covers.  The explanations are thorough and there are loads of exercises.

It covers key signatures, scales, intervals, chords, transposition, rhythm (simple and compound), basic analysis, cadences, and italian/french/german terms (not necessarily in that exact order though).  Students I've sent for theory exams who use that book all get high 80's to high 90's on their exams.

Thanks, I'll look into it.

Usually you can find sight reading AND ear training in one book.  This would be a good tool to compliment theory (it's crazy how you can apply some things you learn in theory directly to sight reading).  I've never used a step-by-step ear training book; do you have a teacher or someone who could help you learn ear tests?

If not, one of my students mentioned on youtube that there are some ear test traning videos; they'll play an interval, chord, etc, and give you 5 seconds to identify it, then they say the answer.  You can probably find sources like this elsewhere online too if you are without a teacher.  It's not the easiest thing teaching yourself ear training, but something else you can do is be extra aware when you are playing your pieces.  Think of the tonalities, the key changes, the chords, and anything else.  If you really know WHAT you are playing, then you may know what you are listening for in your music. 

About sight reading I've been using the Howard Richman's "Super Sight Reading Secrets" and, so far, the improvement has been quite encouraging

Regarding ear training, right now I don't have a teacher that can help me (summer vacations are about to start) but I use the earmaster software for testing.

The problem is that I have yet to find a systemic approach to ear training. I've used earmaster to practice things like interval recognition, chord recognition, etc... but I haven't had much success.
It's all a bit chaotic, I don't have a guiding line in my ear training and when things don't progress it is hard to find motivation if you don't know if you're practicing correctly or not.

[gene2701]

ok great. i would be able to help u...

ur definitely very wise to hv picked option 3. (my biasness perhaps lol)

but now, here is the contradiction.

to be able to understand classical music (or any other genres) of music, u hv to be able to be good in other fields too..

-the 'performers' approach to listening (its quite different the way an improviser listens and the way a classical musician listens)
-some 'basic' ear training....i would suggest this..its darn good. tried it. expensvie. but definitely worth the money  (www.dickgrove.com)
- as for sight reading..honstly, the best way is to keep learning more pieces. get them internalised/memorized so that u know that particular pattern when u 'see it again' in another piece of music.

now to another qns...wat do u wanna be able to 'specialise' in?
theory? performance? composition?...i know ur genre..good choice. i personally love it to. lol

[outburst]

ok great. i would be able to help u...

ur definitely very wise to hv picked option 3. (my biasness perhaps lol)

but now, here is the contradiction.

to be able to understand classical music (or any other genres) of music, u hv to be able to be good in other fields too..

-the 'performers' approach to listening (its quite different the way an improviser listens and the way a classical musician listens)
-some 'basic' ear training....i would suggest this..its darn good. tried it. expensvie. but definitely worth the money  (www.dickgrove.com)
- as for sight reading..honstly, the best way is to keep learning more pieces. get them internalised/memorized so that u know that particular pattern when u 'see it again' in another piece of music.

now to another qns...wat do u wanna be able to 'specialise' in?
theory? performance? composition?...i know ur genre..good choice. i personally love it to. lol

Thanks for the tips. I certainly want to specialize in performing.

I'm trying to improve my skills in the areas that I have more problems so that I can become a better pianist.

[gene2701]

and that problem of urs is?....

hearing?...

in what aspect my friend?

do u wanna improve urself to work as a classical pianist, or an improviser?

its rather different u know.
they both 'focus' on different things.

[outburst]

and that problem of urs is?....

hearing?...

in what aspect my friend?

do u wanna improve urself to work as a classical pianist, or an improviser?

its rather different u know.
they both 'focus' on different things.

I don't know exactly in what aspects of hearing I'm not good.
Just about everything that involves what people normally call of a "good ear" : recognizing intervals, chord progressions, melodic dictation, etc.

What I really like is classical music. Don't really care about improvising.

[gene2701]

ic...ultimately, u hv to find ur own focus.

its really a matter of preference.

if u wanna b like a concert artist, go learn their art.

if like wat ur saying...u wamnna do better in intervals, chord recognition...go find an improviser or composer to guide u.