Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Practical Music Theory for ALL Ages
Review: I'm a music teacher and this is the best single volume music theory text that I have used and recommended to others. The lessons are clear and easy to understand, and progress in a thoughtful manner. After every three lessons there is a review lesson of the concepts. It is a consumable programmed text which means that you write your answers in the book as you follow the sequence of learning - very smart! If you get stuck, the answers are in the back of the book - also very smart! Plus, the cost of the book is under [$$$] - A very good investment for the music student who wants to learn the nuts and bolts of musical concepts and composition!
Rating:
Summary: A must for all "self taught" muiscian.
Review: If you are a self taught musician, but are having a hard time communicating technically with other musicians during rehearsal, this book is a must. This workbook start of at the very basic and elevates to reveal every delicate aspect of the wonderful language of muisc.Eighty-four lessons total, spiral bound, you will transform yourself into a confident musician with in a season!
Rating: 
Summary: Very solid self-instruction book
Review: Sandy Feldstein's PRACTICAL THEORY COMPLETE is a well-organized book on music theory. It has exercises that are excellently designed and effectively reinforce the material in the lesson. Each lesson is short and can be learned in a matter of minutes. This feature allows for anyone to tackle the ideas and material at their own pace regardless of how busy their life may be. Unfortunately, there is one downfall to this book. It is very, very basic and never reaches some of the more sophisticated topics which I had hoped to learn. For those with just a little experience playing a musical instrument or with vocal music, the entire first half of the book should be review. PRACTICAL THEORY COMPLETE stops after teaching the most simple ideas behind harmony, chords, and music composition. Its title is thus a little misleading. That's my only caveat, however, as the style of presentation and method of teaching are both excellent. I would highly recommend purchasing this book if you have no music experience whatsoever and are interested in picking up some basic ideas. For those who already know some music, please look elsewhere. You will probably be a bit disappointed by the lack of depth.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Introduction to Music Theory for the Student
Review: Since the degradation (and downfall in some states) of music teaching in public schools since the 1960's it has been somewhat difficult to find good theory texts which are not overwhelming to the student. Feldstein introduces an approach in 84 short lessons one can take at his/her own pace. It is not meant to be exhaustive, but can give the teacher of beginners in music training or the self-motivated an excellent place to springboard.
Rating:
Summary: "Practical Theory Complete" minus some
Review: This book serves as an excellent introduction to very basic but important concepts in music theory and gives a small introduction for composition. Being spiral bound and with each lesson being in a worksheet format, I have used this book with my private lesson students (junior high school and high school students) with much success. All the material is easy enough to be self taught or does well in reinforcing review material. With such a good review, why only 4 stars you ask? If you are looking for a book to learn the details of basic music theory and all the extra tidbits (i.e. why duple time is preferred for particular compositions; what is duple time; what would compound time be good for?) then this will leave you displeased. Consider what you are trying to get out of the book before purchasing this one. This book would come no where close to an academic level theory class. I would recommend :: Steinke - Basic Materials in Music Theory :: for a thorough examination of basic music theory if that is your intended goal.
Rating: 
Summary: Simple Book
Review: This is a good book, but not a GREAT book. I have used this whole book inside and out myself and for many of my private students. The wire bound, medium-thin book is easily carried back and fro to lessons and opens easily with the wire bound, but I am not impressed enough from it. It does jump around a bit in the very beginning with straight information written out. However, it is not the easiest way to follow what they are explaning. For example, they tell you the key signatures, but they don't tell you WHY they are in that key or don't give any hints or suggestions on how to remember them. I find that, no matter what age, having a rhyme, quote, or reminder on how to remember the order of keys/sharps/flats is important and keeps the students much more interested in the fact that they must learn theory to advance in music! And to really understand and feel accomplished you need to know WHY 0 sharps is C-Major, 1 sharp G-Major, 2 sharps D-Major, etc. Also, we did find at least one typo in this book, that a number of my students found this typo even before I pointed it out ot them! But if you are looking for simplest books that are handy and you do not have to study and review every night before reteaching it thoroughly, then get this book. I have tried many theory books and this is still one of them that I use, depending on the student, their level, and their way of interpreting or taking in forms of teaching methods (some enjoy lots of details written in like "Idiots Guide to Theory." Also, this is one of the very reasonably priced books, while I have gotten text books that can be over $50 for a used version. Best of Luck, fellow Musicians!
Rating:
Summary: Simple Book
Review: This is a good book, but not a GREAT book. I have used this whole book inside and out myself and for many of my private students. The wire bound, medium-thin book is easily carried back and fro to lessons and opens easily with the wire bound, but I am not impressed enough from it. It does jump around a bit in the very beginning with straight information written out. However, it is not the easiest way to follow what they are explaning. For example, they tell you the key signatures, but they don't tell you WHY they are in that key or don't give any hints or suggestions on how to remember them. I find that, no matter what age, having a rhyme, quote, or reminder on how to remember the order of keys/sharps/flats is important and keeps the students much more interested in the fact that they must learn theory to advance in music! And to really understand and feel accomplished you need to know WHY 0 sharps is C-Major, 1 sharp G-Major, 2 sharps D-Major, etc. Also, we did find at least one typo in this book, that a number of my students found this typo even before I pointed it out ot them! But if you are looking for simplest books that are handy and you do not have to study and review every night before reteaching it thoroughly, then get this book. I have tried many theory books and this is still one of them that I use, depending on the student, their level, and their way of interpreting or taking in forms of teaching methods (some enjoy lots of details written in like "Idiots Guide to Theory." Also, this is one of the very reasonably priced books, while I have gotten text books that can be over $50 for a used version. Best of Luck, fellow Musicians!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent theory book
Review: Thorough but concise intro to (or review of) music theory. As an adult music student, I found this book easy to follow, & helpful in clarifying the general principles of music theory. My music teacher, who has seen all manner of texts, was very impressed by its layout & content. Great value for the price--I recommend it without hesitation. My preteen is finding it helpful as well.
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