SO - I've got a pretty good ear, and I can manage some relatively complex stuff harmonically based on what I've learned through years of practice and active motivation to learn more about music.
 
However, the place where my big struggle is is actually with being able to TELL people about theory. I know how to "describe" a 1625 or 251 progression, for example, and some of the other basic things, but the other day a guy asked me which chord to use in tritone substitution and I just couldn't tell him.
 
What I'm curious about is whether anyone here knows of any good books or online resources where I can learn this kind of theory - especially jazz-theory? Perhaps something from a college course or something that can help me get my feet on the ground when it comes to building up from the basics?
 
Thanks a load, fellahs :)

I used "The Jazz Piano Book" by Mark Levine forever. Then again I studied music for years so it is more as a reference for piano than a study book to me  I guess. It does teach you lots of theory along the way. His Jazz Theory book is liked by many too. 
 
As for online sources I have enjoyed "Rick Beato" on youtube lately, he covers all sorts of stuff from theory to producing to the eartraining. Worth checking out imo if nothing else for entertainment purposes. He interviews some high caliber players too. 
 
 

For specific theory questions, it is hard to beat Wikipedia. As an example it has a very detailed article on tritone substitutions.

Hi David - this is probably the best on-line theory website https://www.dolmetsch.com/index.htm It's basically all the the beginner theory you should know. Beyond that the standard text for music theory and used here in Oz conservatoriums is Music in Theory and Practice by Benward and Saker. There are 2 volumes, you will need volume 1, unless you're going to get into composition in a big way, then you will need 2 as well. The book is pretty pricey, but you can get a kindle version, which isn't that much cheaper though. I highly recommend both resources. 
 
Ben 

Hi Dud,
 
Why not read the original ideas instead of derivatives:
 
https://www.amazon.com/Ly...nization/dp/0970373902

Marvelous replies, fellahs - all of them!!!
 
My mother actually happens to have a copy of the Jazz Piano book that I'm going to start using as study material. A friend of mine actually gifted me a copy the Beato Book yesterday as well, so those two plus Berklee's Jazz Arranging book should give me more than enough material to get a really good start.
Are there any courses that go a long with these - especially with the Jazz Piano Book? Something that sort of walks through how to apply the knowledge gained?
 
Thanks for the quick and informative replies! I'll definitely come back here for more once I've exhausted the years worth of information in those books :)
 

Lots of material in those books you mention so you should be busy for a while :) 
 
As far as HOW to apply stuff from Jazz Piano, I dont know if there is anything other than the book, but honestly it does a very good job by itself given you know basic theory to begin with and play the piano at atleast a rudimentary level. There are TONS of exercises in there and even more recommended listening which will help alot. If you are only interested in the theory part it will go faster to go through than if you also want to apply the knowledge in your playing. I am still struggling with parts of it after 20 years :)  

Oh an btw, been thinking of getting the beato book myself. He released a new version just he other day called 2.0 I guess. Is that the one you got and if so I would be interested in what you think once you had a chance to look it over. He covers pretty advanced theory from what I can tell. 

I have to plug this guy:
 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPLwlOq7DU_3J60Yd99jXSA
 
Everything you want to know about any composer.  He's really thorough.

My Beato Book is indeed the 2.0 version! I'm super-excited to dig into this stuff. My primary goal is for arranging purposes, but that obviously leeches over into studio work and then eventually somewhere down the line, my performance skills :)
 
thanks for the link eph221, I'd never seen this guy before! He's definitely going on my daily watch-list.
It's SO awesome that there are so ridiculously many free tools out there these days! (Of course in addition to the generally very curated, oftentimes higher-quality, paid works of folks like Levine and such) I'm sure a lot of folks, even a few of you guys around here 30 years ago would've killed to have access to info like this that's just out there on the net, free of charge!!!