Experienced student needing to go back and learn theory...please help!

[mara0203]

I'm 18 years old and going off to college next year. I'd really like to get involved in something with piano by my sophomore year, and possibly minor or double major in performance, but I need a stronger background in theory/technique. I took lessons for 9 years, then at 15 quit, and throughout most of high school had to teach myself because of time constraints and financial circumstances. With a weak background in theory as it was, I only continued to learn new pieces, and regrettably didn't continue practicing scales or theory. I need to go back and learn, but not the absolute basics. Any suggestions for books or other instructional tools that aren't extremely expensive and would be good for reviewing/learning over the summer and fall?

[raisinbrahms]

I bought a cheap copy of William Duckworth's "A Creative Approach to Music Fundamentals".  You can find some on Amazon right now for next to nothing.  The edition I had (sixth) covered everything from scales, intervals, rhythmic notation, etc. on up to elementary harmony.  I gave myself a crash course over the summer and was well prepared to start my music major theory sequence in the fall.  Good luck 

[musicman99]

The AB Guide to Music Theory (in two parts) is a very good guide. There are exercise books that go with these textbooks, which are published by the associated board as well.

[yale_music]

What sort of theory do you need? Basic rudiments, harmony, counterpoint, form, etc.?

[pianoplunker]

I'm 18 years old and going off to college next year. I'd really like to get involved in something with piano by my sophomore year, and possibly minor or double major in performance, but I need a stronger background in theory/technique. I took lessons for 9 years, then at 15 quit, and throughout most of high school had to teach myself because of time constraints and financial circumstances. With a weak background in theory as it was, I only continued to learn new pieces, and regrettably didn't continue practicing scales or theory. I need to go back and learn, but not the absolute basics. Any suggestions for books or other instructional tools that aren't extremely expensive and would be good for reviewing/learning over the summer and fall?

Not trying to be some kind of philosopher, but first you should look at it like "going forward" and learning theory, not "going back".