Reddit mentions of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory, 2nd Edition

Thanks! :)

I would say learn an instrument first and learn music theory on the way. Get an instrument and a good lesson book. Get this book too: http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Guide-Theory-Edition/dp/1592574378/

Then go from there! I have a lot of stuff on my blog about this too: benprunty.com/blog

See if you can find "The Art of Mixing" at the library. That book was very helpful.

https://www.amazon.com/Art-Mixing-Recording-Engineering-Production/dp/1931140456

This is a great music theory book as well: https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Theory-Lifestyle-Paperback/dp/1592574378

I haven't read the other book recommended. The first theory book I made it all the way through was The Complete Idiot's Guide. It's very well organized and presented in an informal enough way to break the topic in easily. It's not instrument-specific, but neither is theory. With some familiarity under your belt, I would look for something at your school or a continuing-ed type musicianship class at a local music school if you're not a student.

In my experience, you will cover a lot of information before things click together, and then one day, Pop! the framework behind it all makes sense. Then you will find yourself asking, "Is that really all it was?"

Pick up some basic music theory knowledge. As ridiculous as it sounds, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory is actually pretty well written and informative:
http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Guide-Music-Theory/dp/1592574378/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1254261425&sr=8-1

Personally, I run Propellerheads Reason 4 and Record.
http://www.propellerheads.se/

My MIDI controller is the M-Audo Axiom 49:
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/Axiom49.html

My audio card is Native Instrument's Audio Kontrol 1:
http://www.native-instruments.com/#/en/products/producer/audio-kontrol-1/

As mentioned, Ableton Live is amazing. I picked up Live 7 LE a while because I thought it had ReWire capability, but it doesn't. I am planning on upgrading to a full version. I'm lusting for the Akai MPC-40 and Maschnine. Live really comes alive with the addition of VST instruments. While you can find them for free all over the net, some of the best will cost you extra money (see Native Instrument's line of VST's).

If you're not a fan of trial and error then study music theory. That's the "magic formula" for lack of a better term you're looking for.

You need a complete understanding of theory in order for it to work, it's much like math. What you're asking is for someone to teach you long division when you don't understand multiplication, addition, and subtraction. Music theory is cumulative. It really can't be summed up in a post because you need to apply it in context.

Not to be a dick but 10,000 hours is what you need to get good at any craft whether music, production, or otherwise. If you're not willing to put in that level of work, then I'd quit now while you're ahead.

If you are, I'd recommend this book here. It's the most orderly and logical theory book with a focus on composition that I've personally ever come across.

http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Theory-Lifestyle-Paperback/dp/1592574378/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1464280205&sr=8-1&keywords=the+complete+idiots+guide+music+theory

Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory (don't mind the silly name) is the best book I've ever read on the subject. Written in a way that's clear and easy to read and never talks down to you.

Go do yourself a favor and get this wonderfull work. http://amzn.com/1592574378

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Music Theory, 2nd Edition

and

The Algorithm Design Manual

Here is the mobile version of your link

The Complete Idiot's Guide is a surprisingly good resource. I taught myself from this book in 6th grade and ended up with a strong command of theory before high school.

Once you get what you can from that, try
Kostka and Payne. From my understanding this is a very popular book for college theory classes. It also has a workbook that can be useful.

If you spend 20 minutes a day studying theory, you will have a solid foundation in no time.

I've personally learned it by reading about it, or at least the theory behind it. Plenty of sources of music theory around, I suggest look around till you find someone that explains in a way you understand. Took me a while to understand what modes really are till I read one source and it just clicked. Don't be afraid to ask questions if you're confused about something you read on another post. /r/bass users are pretty helpful when it comes to that.

You'll want to start off with"

Intervals: the space between notes

Chord building: What makes a major chord, what makes a minor, etc (I suggest also learning about inversions)

Key signatures: How you can determine what chords are in a key signature.

A lot of stuff kinda falls into place if you understand the concepts above. Some people say music theory is hard or confusing. The basics aren't if you just break it up into smaller chunks to work with. Knowing just key signatures, intervals and how a chord is made opens up a lot of doors, especially in improv/solos.

I learned a lot from this book:
https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Theory-Lifestyle-Paperback/dp/1592574378

5 bucks used, but really all of this information can be found free online.

There's also this site which I never used myself: https://www.musictheory.net/

I should also note that I know all these things, but still can not read music notation (I'm lazy on that part but it would definitely be very helpful)

I really recommend this book! http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Guide-Theory-Edition/dp/1592574378/ref=sr_1_10

It's probably one of my favorite purchases.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1592574378/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_gopJDbCA1MMTD best guide for music , it has some tough excersices to help you get command on theory quickly , it'll take you 20-30 days ( if ur consistant ) to finish the book . Pretty much advance stuff that u won't find in a beginners guide..

You mentioned you're motivated enough to practice for an hour or two. Did you ever consider teaching yourself Basic Music Theory?

Get this book. I bought it a few weeks ago to start teaching myself as well. It comes with a CD of exercises you can complete. This could be a good starting point onto other books to buy in the future. For example, one of my goals is to play Jazz Guitar someday. My plan is to finish the Complete Idiots Guide, then move onto this.

This way, you wouldn't be dropping money for a college degree. Combine a few lessons with your studies, watch singing lesson YouTube Videos, and who knows where you might end up! Then you wouldn't have to rely so much on your teacher. My voice lesson teacher used to be cancel on me often, so I understand how frustrating that can be.

My comment below is from the standpoint of myself as a musician.
I get pissy towards most EDM artists, I've spent years working on hand eye coordination to play guitar and play it really well. They come in with a MIDI keyboard The Complete Idiot's Guide To Music Theory and everyone thinks it's the bee's knees.

Personally, artists like her and Grimes and every other chick/dude with a MacBook Pro and fancy software are an insult to artists like the Chemical Brothers, DJ Shadow and The Prodigy who spend months assembling tracks with tons of samples and individual tracks/instruments.

She is the direct representation of the downfall of music.

Anyone can become an Astronaut, but just because I buy a spacesuit and make rocket noises doesn't mean I actually am an Astronaut.