#1 Amazon Best Seller | #1 TikTok Best Seller
The Science of Music
Allen Van Wert's revolutionary approach makes mastering music theory straightforward and achievable for anyone.
Allen Van Wert's revolutionary approach makes mastering music theory straightforward and achievable for anyone.
"A fantastic in-depth comprehensive book that leaves no stone unturned. Well explained and easy to understand, by the end of this book you'll be a music theory pro...!"
"Allen's ability to distill complex concepts into accessible and engaging lessons has inspired countless musicians, including myself. In this book, Allen bridges the gap between technical mastery and creative expression..." "Allen's ability to distill complex concepts into accessible and engaging lessons has inspired countless musicians, including myself. In this book, Allen bridges the gap between technical mastery and creative expression. Whether you are a seasoned musician or just starting your journey, his insights will enrich your understanding and appreciation of music. I can confidently say that Allen's approach makes theory not just comprehensible, but genuinely exciting. Prepare to unlock new dimensions in your musicality. This is more than a guide, it's a gateway to a deeper connection with your craft. Enjoy the journey."
"I don't know shit about music. But if I do it's because I read it in Allen Van Wert's book."
"I have only ever had one guitar lesson in my entire life, and I took it from Allen Van Wert."
Because Allen Van Wert treats music theory itself as a science with facts that are always true not opinions with exceptions.
Get to real understanding of causes, not endless confusing terms assigned to effects of specific styles, time periods or musicians.
A book that doesn't just teach theory, it gives you tools you can use.
Allen Van Wert is a guitarist, author, inventor, and educator with over 30 years of teaching experience. He has reached more than three million students through platforms like JamPlay and TrueFire, teaching everyone from beginners to Grammy-winning artists. He's collaborated with musicians such as Steve Stevens of Billy Idol and Dave Ellefson of Megadeth, as well as members of Atreyu, Breaking Benjamin, and Black Label Society.
The Science of Music by Allen Van Wert is a modern, practical guide to understanding harmony and sound. Instead of relying on memorization, it explores the cause and logic behind how we experience music itself, helping players, writers, and producers connect creativity with understanding. With clear explanations and full reference charts, it's designed to make music theory accessible, useful, and inspiring.
100% Human Created. The cover is an original oil painting by Allen Van Wert, and every illustration inside the book is hand drawn by him or his daughter Rylie. The 150+ guitar and piano diagrams were handmade in Photoshop one by one. No AI was used in the creation of this book. The text traces back to first versions written on paper in 1993 and a text document dated 2013 on Allen's old computer. The book was many dedicated and passionate years in the making, but this specific format took about two years to produce using Adobe InDesign.
Allen argued with the printing company back and forth numerous times to get them to print the ink slightly lighter on a natural, slightly aged paper. Music theory is already stress inducing for a lot of people and he wanted it to be easy on the eyes and easy on the brain. The pages are not the typical high-contrast bleached whites you find in most books. They are natural, better for the environment, and use less of the tree to achieve this calming look. Even the specific colors chosen for the cover art are deliberate, selected to calm and inspire. More thought than you would ever expect went into every single detail of this book. This is not about selling books. This is his legacy and life's work.
Allen goes to the post office every single day with his dog Martin to personally drop off every order so your book ships on time. No warehouse. No fulfillment center. Every copy is handled by the author himself.
Allen's daughter Lydian, named after the Lydian mode, moved in with him after some really difficult life events. She has since become his right hand, helping pack and ship books, moderate the Discord community, and maintain the website. When she isn't lifting weights or complaining about her dad's diet or how annoying he is or how low he prices the books, she is preparing book orders. This is a family operation built on sarcasm, resilience, and a shared belief in what this book means to people.
Allen Van Wert's work goes beyond a new way to teach. It introduces original findings that reshape how music theory is configured. His formal disclosure, The Van Wert Cognitive-Weighting Theory of Modality, is the first to precisely define what modes are to the human brain, offering a scientific framework for understanding the perception of tonal centers and modal character.
This research corrects longstanding flaws in traditional music theory, including the historical mistake of the minor scale designation, and removes centuries of unnecessary complexity. The result is a theory that is universally accurate across all genres, as any true science should be.
At about 100 pages in, I was reading a chapter on the diminished scale, and I realized that I understood everything the author was saying. My mind wasn't wandering. He related everything back to triads and the major scale, and it dawned on me that I had absorbed everything he said about triads and the major scale. As a self taught guitarist whose eyes glazed over at anything more complex than a power chord, this was life changing.
"As a music educator, I am always looking for ways to teach music theory in a more approachable way. This book is a game changer!"
"I am an absolute amateur at music theory. I am a couple of sections in, and this book is broke down in the simplest way possible. Allen is knowledgeable beyond belief and has made learning music theory fun and easy. Thanks so much!!"
"Received quickly and in great shape. Was not expecting a notation and autograph, but I was very happily surprised. I am through a couple chapters, and I have to say this is the first time I have been able to follow any type of musical theory explanation past the basic definitions."
Every copy of The Science of Music comes with access to a private Discord community where readers connect, share progress, and discuss the material together. It's not just a book, it's a community of musicians all learning the same way.
Allen is active in the Discord and genuinely loves helping readers work through concepts. If you're stuck on a chapter, have a question about modes, or just want feedback on how you're applying the theory, you can ask him directly. Teaching is what drives him, and he's there because he wants to be, not because he has to be.
VANDLING, PA (February 23, 2026)
A new, purely logical approach to music education has struck a massive chord with the public and the highest levels of the music industry. The Science of Music, an independently published guidebook by professional guitarist Allen Van Wert, has officially claimed the #1 Best Seller spot in both the Music Theory and Music Reference categories on Amazon. The book features a foreword by Grammy-winning drummer Chris Adler of Lamb of God and Megadeth, who also actively interacts with the community during Van Wert's live educational streams. It also holds official endorsements from Platinum-selling artists like Jason Null of Saving Abel, who is one of Van Wert's own guitar students, and Greasy Wil, the Grammy-winning producer for Killer Mike who has also worked with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Muse, and Justin Bieber.
For inquiries about The Science of Music, speaking engagements, or collaborations:
✉ allen.vanwert@gmail.com