Contemporary Music Theory: Level 2

Contemporary Music Theory - Level Two by Mark Harrison is an intermediate-level piano-focused theory method designed for musicians ready to deepen their understanding of harmony in modern pop and jazz styles. Ideal for pianists, composers, and arrangers, this book builds on foundational knowledge while clearly explaining how chords, scales, and harmonic movement function in real music.

Building on earlier concepts, this method guides players through more advanced musical structures with a strong emphasis on practical application. It is especially valuable for musicians seeking clarity in chord relationships, substitutions, and tonal movement, helping bridge the gap between theory and real-world playing, improvisation, and composition.

This volume presents theory through clear explanations paired with practical written exercises and answers, reinforcing each concept through active learning. Readers explore expanded chord forms, major and minor harmonic functions, substitutions, upper structure chords, and voice leading techniques that are widely used in contemporary music. The book also introduces pentatonic and blues scale applications, along with detailed analysis of key centers in real musical contexts, supported by a comprehensive glossary of essential terms.

What makes this method particularly effective is its balance between conceptual understanding and hands-on application. Rather than isolating theory, it connects each topic to how music is actually played and heard, helping musicians make more informed creative decisions. Whether you are refining your improvisation, arranging skills, or compositional voice, the structured progression keeps practice focused and purposeful while encouraging creative exploration.

Ideal for self-study or guided instruction, this book supports consistent musical growth while reinforcing confidence at the keyboard.