Explains the technical fundamentals of musical terminology, concepts, and principles; offers musical examples of scales, chords, intervals, and rhythms; and provides aural exercises for ear training and transcription skills.

Accompanying CD contains: The complete idiot's guide to music theory, second edition, ear training course. "This audio course leads you step-by-step through the essential concepts of music theory, including pitches, scales, intervals, rhythms, chords, and melodies. ... All you have to do is listen to the examples on the CD, and then test yourself with the audio exercises."--P. 296. Requirements for audio CD: any CD player or computer.

pt. 1. Tones. Pitches and clefs -- Intervals -- Scales -- Major and minor keys -- pt. 2. Rhythms. Note values and basic notation -- Time signatures --Tempo, dynamics, and navigation -- pt. 3. Tunes. Melodies -- Combining -- Chords -- Chord progressions -- Phrases and form -- pt. 4. Accompanying. Transcribing what you hear -- Accompanying melodies -- Transposing to other keys -- pt. 5. Embellishing. Harmony and counterpoint -- Chord substitutions and turnarounds -- Special notation -- pt. 6. Arranging. Composing and arranging for voices and instruments -- Lead sheets and scores -- Performing your music -- Appendixes. A. The complete idiot's music glossary -- B. The complete idiot's chord reference -- C. Answers to chapter exercises -- D. The complete idiot's guide to music theory, second edition, ear training course CD.