Resources for learning music theory

When I started playing pedal harp in my high school orchestra, there came a point when I felt that I needed to learn more music theory. I don’t remember why I thought this, but I remember being told that I just needed to know which pedals to set to make key signatures and accidentals. My job was just to play what was in the score.

When we put on South Pacific, the harp part for “Some Enchanted Evening” is a mess of arpeggios. Knowing no theory, I didn’t realize that they were just chords in various inversions. Instead of recognizing a group as being G 1-5-8-9-10, I laboriously read each and every note. It was exhausting.

I think that learning music theory gets a bad name because it’s often taught without a connection to how it benefits the learner. It’s like learning math without talking about budgets or how to use a map without actually going on a hike.

As a teacher myself now, I don’t require that my students learn music theory, but if knowing a particular bit of theory will make it easier to do something you’re trying, then I will share that. And, gosh, if a student wants to learn theory, I’m all for it.

If you are ready to see if theory is not scary, then I recommend the following practical resources.

Books

Music Theory and Arranging Techniques for Folk Harps➚ by Sylvia Woods, 1987. Chords, intervals, inversions, some chord qualities, accompaniment patterns, counter-melodies, and accidentals. Briefly touches on modes. Includes 89 folk tunes, mostly as lead sheets, with a couple of full arrangements. All pieces include chord symbols. Her Quick-Reference Chord and Scale Chart➚ is a separate PDF or laminated sheet with chords for major, minor, aug, dim, sus, 6th, minor 6th, dominant 7th, major 7th, minor 7th, 9th, and major 9th in all the keys, plus music theory reminders.

Cool Chords and Groovy Rhythms: Arranging for Lever Harp in Modern Styles➚ by Verlene Schermer, 2001. Over 50 pages about different chord qualities and applications, plus another 30 pages on accompaniment patterns and arranging techniques. A great next step after you learn basic chord theory. All pieces and excerpts include chord symbols.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Composition: Methods for Developing Simple Melodies and Longer Compositions➚ by Michael Miller, 2005. Chord progressions and functions, cadences, melody, harmony, and patterns, plus sections on orchestration and lyrics.

The Art of Modulating for Harpists, Pianists, and Organists➚ by Carlos Salzedo and Lucille Lawrence, 1950. Rules for modulating, a complete list of tables of getting from one key to every single other key instantly or with one chord in between, and example patterns and pieces. This is a thorough accounting for advanced harpists, and it presumes you play pedal harp. Start with the Wikipedia page on modulation➚, and get this book if you need more.

Videos

Title says it all. It’s true!

Written for piano, but applicable to harp, too. (Apply what he says about the pinky to finger 4 instead.)

An arm doodles while a voice calmly muses on what is and is NOT important about music theory.

Although this doesn’t TEACH you theory, it’s a great tool for planning what you’d like to learn more about and what you can skip.

For beginners, but very academic. You’ll get a thorough overview, but if you’re uncomfortable in a classroom setting, this is not the series for you.

Interactive sites and apps

Where are the resources on modes?

I have a whole other page devoted to music theory resources on modes. Enjoy! And, read up on more theory, music in general, and harps specifically from my list of content for learning harp online.

Please email me if you have a helpful resource on music theory that I should add.