Book 2: The Fundamentals of Music

The Basics of How Music Works — Including Practice Routines

This book covers the fundamentals of music. If you want to “make music”, there are definite things that need to be learned.  There are many books on the subject of music. What makes this book different? The data is presented in a simple, straightforward and concise manner along with practice routines that will result in real ability to read music, play songs, improvise and compose!

This book applies to any musician at any level of expertise regardless of what instrument or style of music he/she plays. It is invaluable as a reference book for private lessons or as a textbook for classroom study.

Book 4: The Basics of Harmony

Understanding Chords and Chord Progressions

This book covers the basics of harmony. If you want to “make music”, there are definite things that need to be learned. There are many books on the subject of music. What makes this book different?

Knowledge of Harmony is very useful for improvising and composing. The material in this book is presented in a simple, straightforward and concise manner along with practice routines and ear training drills that will result in real ability to play different chord progressions in songs, improvise and compose!

The data in this book applies to any musician at any level of expertise regardless of what instrument or style of music he/she plays. This is invaluable as a reference book for private lessons or as a textbook for classroom study.

This book answers many interesting questions such as:

Book 6: Advanced Scales and Harmony

Advanced Music Theory Simplified

The purpose of this book is to clarify and thereby simplify advanced music theory and to offer a comprehensive reference. Additionally, this book provides a route to greatly increased musical skills, for those who wish to invest the time.

I’ve had various dealings with thousands of musicians. Some as students, some as peers, some as employers, and some were fans, etc. I can safely say that only a very small percentage of them had a good grasp of advanced music theory.

However, many of these musicians were incredible artists who had very successful careers. So the question is: Is understanding advanced theory important?

An analogy is driving a car. You don’t have to understand everything about how cars are built or how to repair them to successfully drive one. However, if you did study cars more in depth, your interaction with them would probably be enhanced.

Additionally, if you have been exposed to any of this material before and have some misunderstandings, you will want to clear those up, because those questions can impede your music making.

The data in this book applies to any musician at any level of expertise regardless of what instrument or style of music he/she plays. (Except drummers) This is invaluable as a reference book for private lessons or as a textbook for classroom study.

This book answers many interesting questions such as:

Book 8: Piano & Keyboard Players Only

Mastering the World’s Greatest Instrument

The piano is world’s greatest instrument! Can you tell I’m a piano player? OK, I might be slightly biased. However, it is true that the piano is the most versatile acoustic instrument. And aside from perhaps the synthesizer or pipe organ, the piano has a larger range of pitch than any other instrument. Certainly it produces all aspects of music like no other: melody, harmony, and rhythm.

My estimate is that approximately 70% of knowledge about music applies to any instrument. The other 30% applies to whatever instrument you’re playing.

This book covers most of the 30% that is needed to play the piano and much of that applies to any keyboard. The rest of the 70% of knowledge about music is covered in the other books.

The data in this book applies to any piano or keyboard player at any level of expertise regardless of what style of music he/she plays. This is invaluable as a reference book for private lessons or as a textbook for classroom study.

This book answers many interesting questions such as:

Book 10: Glossary of Musical Terms & Symbols

Musical Reference for the 21st Century

Definitions for 490 entries and 118 symbols and many pictures and diagrams.

There are countless music dictionaries and glossaries available that fulfill various needs. What makes this one different?

This book has workable definitions for the most essential music terms and symbols written in a clear, concise manner that are easy to understand and apply.

This glossary will no doubt be of great benefit to you in your study of music.