Instruction & Study Books

Music Theory for Guitarists: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know But Were Afraid to Ask (Guitar Method)

Tom Kolb

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Subjects -> Entertainment -> Music -> Theory, Composition & Performance -> Theory

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 31 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

gonna be very helpful 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I'm one of those who has to know every step on the way to big picture. For those who need to KNOW how to play rather than just bang it out.

Well-Structured Book, Wealth of Material 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I think the irony with many standard guitar methods, at least the better ones, is that they usually expect you to have a basic knowledge of music theory to allow the exercises to really sink in from the very beginning. Conversely, I think the irony with starting a music theory course or method is that it normally expects you to have already begun contextualizing the material on the instrument of your choice before you can even begin to make practical sense of the material and apply it. It seems very much like a Catch-22.

What Tom Kolb manages to do in the opening chapters of this book is quickly and thoroughly provide the vital concepts you need to really get going with both: a diagram of the fretboard with all of the notes on it (without the high register), a nice explanation of the different types of notation, the terms you need to begin to develop your musical language abilities, scales and key signatures, intervals, and triads (the most basic chord forms). He uses a bottom-up approach; however detailed or complex the material gets, he usually manages to apply it to the larger context. And I use the word "usually" because it's very apparent that music theory becomes an infinitely large topic the more you cover. The latter chapters contain some very heady concepts that require playing experience to contextualize.

This book is loaded with material, and can be challenging depending on how much you invest yourself in it. If you use a healthy balance of memorization and application all the way through, there is no doubt that you will benefit.

Editorial Review:

Guitarists of all levels will find a wealth of practical music knowledge in this special book and CD package. Veteran guitarist and author Tom Kolb dispels the mysteries of music theory using plain and simple terms and diagrams. The accompanying CD provides 94 tracks of music examples, scales, modes, chords, ear training, and much more!

Teaching Little Fingers to Play: A Book for the Earliest Beginner (John Thompsons Modern Course for The Piano)

John Thompson

Amazon Price: $4.95 List Price: $4.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Willis Music Amazon Marketplace: 30 new & used starting at $2.28

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 14 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Musical yes, earliest no. 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

My 4 yr. old daughter is enrolled in a Yamaha music school class for 4-5 yr. olds. I bought this book to give us some supplementary songs to practice. The songs in this book are extremely musical and enjoyable; I would have given the book 5 stars except for the use of the superlative "earliest" in the title, as the pace and level of the book is much faster and higher than what she gets from the music school (which I believe is generally what Yamaha has discovered over many years is readily doable for the youngest beginners). This book is actually nice for an adult beginner.

Easy to use 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

My 7 year old has enjoyed learning piano w/ this book. I don't play but I've been able to "teach" her with it. This is great for beginners.

good 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I've taught out of this to some of my piano students and it works out nicely.

Editorial Review:

A series for the early beginner combining rote and note approach. The melodies are written with careful thought and are kept as simple as possible, yet they are refreshingly delightful. All the music lies within the grasp of the child's small hands.

Hal Leonard Guitar Method, Complete Edition: Books & CD's 1, 2 and 3

Will Schmid, Greg Koch

Amazon Price: $20.65 List Price: $22.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Hal Leonard Corporation Amazon Marketplace: 44 new & used starting at $11.50

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Total reviews: 85 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Good! 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This book is pretty good. It has a lot of music and teaches you a lot about the instrument. It doesn't have all that many contemporary tunes, but it's got loads of classics. Worth the cost!

The BEST way to learn guitar 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

this book collects books 1-3 of the hal leonard guitar method course.i tried all the learn guitar overnight internet courses and shortcuts don't work.i wish i had this book in the beginning!!those other courses left holes in my musical education that this book filled in.this book will teach you how to be a REAL guitarist.Unlike many guitar books which get you started using chords, tablature and eventualy get to sight reading notes, this book takes the opposite approach,it teaches you to read notes and play melodies FIRST,THEN you move onto playing chords and tab.(you must crawl before you can walk grasshopper!)by the end of book one you will be able to read notes on all six strings!and play alot of chords!when you finish this entire book you will be up to the intermediate level,and can move onto any advanced topics/styles in the Hal Leonard guitar method series just put"hal leonard guitar method" in a search on amazon and you will see all the books that can be used with this series(i suggestMusic Theory for Guitarists: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know But Were Afraid to Ask (Guitar Method)to start with because music theory is VITAL to becoming a great guitarist,because when you have a good grasp on music theory you know the mechanics of how music works. but look at the list of titles and see what interests YOU)go get this book and begin a lifetime love affair with music:-)

Editorial Review:

The Hal Leonard Guitar Method is designed for anyone just learning to play acoustic or electric guitar. It is based on years of teaching guitar students of all ages, and reflects some of the best teaching ideas from around the world. This super-convenient Complete Edition features the new and improved method books 1, 2 and 3 spiral-bound together, available as a book only (00699040) or book with three CDs (00697342)!

Guitar Fretboard Workbook

Amazon Price: $11.53 List Price: $16.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Musicians Institute Press Amazon Marketplace: 27 new & used starting at $9.65

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 78 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Excellent systematic method for learning the fretboard 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I have been fascinated by the guitar for over 20 years. As such, I have built up a large library of lessons in various forms. This workbook has pulled many concepts that I have found in disparate sources and coalesced them into one place. My only slight criticism is that the basic music theory involved with learning the fretboard is not in as much depth as I would like. Consequently, I understand some of the confusion noted in other reviews. I encourage beginners to stick with it because being able to break free of the tyranny of the first position will inspire you to further heights no matter what musical style you play. My recommendation for more in-depth music theory for guitar would be the Guitar Grimoire series by Adam Kadmon. Example: The Guitar Grimoire- A Notated Intervallic Study Of Scales

Editorial Review:

Navigate the guitar neck better than ever before with this easy-to-use book! Designed from Musicians Institute core curriculum programs, it covers essential concepts for players of every level, acoustic or electric. A hands-on guide to theory, it will help you learn to build any scale or chord on your own and unleash creativity. No music reading is required.

The Chord Wheel: The Ultimate Tool for All Musicians

Jim Fleser

Amazon Price: $10.17 List Price: $14.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Hal Leonard Corporation Amazon Marketplace: 35 new & used starting at $8.26

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 24 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

theif?!! 3 out of 5 stars.
4 of 14 people found this review helpful.

Mr. Schulz, you invented nothing. This wheel was originally published at least 60 years ago, and probably invented well before that. In music, we all stand on the shoulders of our forebears.

The Chord Wheel 2 out of 5 stars.
2 of 13 people found this review helpful.

I bought chord wheel a couple years ago and could not figure the thing out to little explanation and I play piano hoping to help me play by ear better. No luck it sits in the bottom of all my music. I am trying one of the other music books right now.

Editorial Review:

Master chord theory ... in minutes! The Chord Wheel is a revolutionary device that puts the most essential and practical applications of chord theory into your hands. This tool will help you: Improvise and Solo - Talk about chops! Comprehend key structure like never before; Transpose Keys - Instantly transpose any progression into each and every key; Compose Your Own Music - Watch your songwriting blossom! No music reading is necessary. "This is the kind of device that players of any instrument can use to enhance their musical understanding. Chord and key relationships are inseparable, and learning these relationships is a must in becoming a successful musician." - Alan Remington, Orange Coast College Music Dept.

Alfred's Basic Adult Piano Course: Lesson Book, Level One

Willard A. Palmer

Amazon Price: $9.95 List Price: $9.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Alfred Publishing Company Amazon Marketplace: 65 new & used starting at $5.00

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 43 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

This is an amazing course 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I have never played piano before and I'm halfway through book 1. I'm taking my time, but its been about 3 weeks. The stuff coming from my fingers sounds like real music and I'm using both hands to play complex music. I never felt overly intimidated though, each new song is a challenge, but never too much of one. The first few songs take minutes, then a couple sessions. I try to practice in tiny chunks (I have a 5 year old son), of about 15 minutes and the length of the songs in this book are great for that. I can't recommend this highly enough.

Alfred's Piano 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I bought the book AND the CD from Barnes & Noble. I don't know why Amazon doesn't stock them both together. I found the book very good, but the CD has a really cheesy soundtrack which sometimes drowns out the piano examples. The pages are clear and precise, the diagrams easy to see, and the concepts clear. Overall I would say that this is a good book for the beginner and you really should buy it WITH the CD, just try and forget the awful din coming from your speakers; just listen to the piano examples to see what it should sound like.

Editorial Review:

A beginning course for adults who prefer a chord approach. It teaches chords for both hands so that the student can play more than single note melodies. It contains outstanding songs such as "The Entertainer," "Scarborough Fair," "Greensleeves" and "Amazing Grace."

How to Play Guitar: Everything You Need to Know to Play the Guitar (How to Play)

Roger Evans

Amazon Price: $9.56 List Price: $11.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: St. Martin's Griffin Amazon Marketplace: 40 new & used starting at $6.64

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 21 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

It's Okay 3 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I found this easy to read and understand but I don't like the way the book is set up. You learn a few notes and then move onto chords. I would have preferred to learn all the notes and then move onto chords because that seems much simpler to me. But you can skip through the book to find the other notes.

I also thought there should be more songs to practice with when learning the notes, there were only rwo or three tiny little bits after learning the notes.

All in all it was just adequate for me.

Editorial Review:

In How to Play Guitar guitar players of all levels will find a wealth of instruction and inspiration. Whether you want to play pop, folk, country, rock, blues, jazz, classical, or any other style of music, you will pick up the basic techniques without tedious drills and exercises. Using real music and a step-by-step approach, How to Play Guitar will teach you about:

· Choosing and buying a guitar

· Tuning your instrument correctly

· Reading sheet music, guitar music, and tablature

· Playing melodies with chords

· Fingerpicking

· Mastering left-hand techniques, including sliding and bending notes

· Transposing melodies from one key to another and much more.

Virtuoso Pianist in 60 Exercises - Complete: Piano Technique

Amazon Price: $6.95 List Price: $6.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: G. Schirmer, Inc. Amazon Marketplace: 52 new & used starting at $3.71

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 54 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A mustn't have! 1 out of 5 stars.
6 of 8 people found this review helpful.

Going against the grain here I would say DO NOT buy this book! I am a piano teacher and yes, I had to use this book in my younger days. Recent research, however, has shown that using this can potentially give you wrist problems such as RSI. Finger strength is not really a priority when learning the piano. Good technique and understanding of the music is.

Ask yourself: How many times do I repeat patterns such as those in Hanon over and over again when I am playing a piece of music? The answer is never! So why train your fingers to do that? The only thing playing Hanon makes you better at is playing Hanon!

If you want to improve the technique and musicality of your playing find a Mozart (or Haydn, Corelli, Kabalevsky or any other composer) piano piece that you enjoy and that is within your ability or will stretch you just a little and learn it. Practise it slowly and play each phrase with the correct notes and fingering every time. This gives you a piece of music you can perform as well.

In short, if you were an athlete would you train using physical techniques from the early 1900s? Our knowledge of physiology has moved on and even some elements of the piano action have been improved to make actions lighter and more responsive.

If you are looking to improve your piano technique I suggest you read:
Lhevinne: Basic Principles in Pianoforte Playing
Gieseking & Leimer: Piano Technique (Paperback)
Sandor: On piano playing

They aren't necessarily the easiest books to read, but playing the piano isn't easy! I use other books as well (e.g. 20 Lessons in keyboard choreography), Czerny for certain things, but never Hanon!

Editorial Review:

This collection of exercises has been a "Must Have" for many years. Designed to build independence and dexterity.

Guitar For Dummies (For Dummies (Lifestyles Paperback))

Mark Phillips, Jon Chappell

Amazon Price: $16.49 List Price: $24.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: For Dummies Amazon Marketplace: 68 new & used starting at $12.95

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 81 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Have you always wanted to play guitar? Who wouldn't? Think of Jimi Hendrix wailing away on his Stratocaster. . . Chuck Berry duck-walking across the stage to "Johnny B. Goode". . .B.B. King making his "Lucille" cry the blues. No doubt about it—guitars are cool.

Guitar For Dummies 2nd Edition tells you everything a beginning or intermediate guitarist needs to know: from buying a guitar to tuning it, playing it, and caring for it, this book has it all—and you don't even need to know how to read music. Full of photo-illustrated exercises and songs you can play to practice the techniques discussed in each section, this step-by-step guide will take you through the basics and beyond before you can say "Eric Clapton." You'll learn how to:

• Match yourself with the guitar and equipment that fits your needs and budget
• Select the right accessories: amps, picks, pedals, capos, cases, and other goodies
• Pick and strum to produce a clean, clear, buzz-free tone
• Know whether you're really in tune
• Play melodies without reading music
• Perform basic guitar maintenance and repairs
• Build strength and dexterity while playing
• Play in different styles, including rock, blues, folk, jazz, and classical
• Make your guitar talk with bends and slides!

Fully revised and updated, with an all new interactive CD that allows readers to listen, learn, tune, and play along, Guitar For Dummies 2nd Edition is the perfect introductory guide for any novice acoustic or electric guitar player. 

Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

Chord Tone Soloing: A Guitarist's Guide to Melodic Improvising in Any Style

Barrett Tagliarino

Amazon Price: $15.61 List Price: $22.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Musicians Institute Press Amazon Marketplace: 21 new & used starting at $13.50

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 17 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Exactly what I was looking for 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

As a rhythm guitarist for years I struggled with writing solos. Mr. Tagliarino's method has proven excellent in showing me how to make the leap to lead guitar. Although I wouldn't recommend this book by itself as I found some of the material needing further explanation, I would wholeheartedly recommend it for any aspiring guitarist's library.

Great Guide! 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

A very good guide on soloing. It is not for the beginner, but even for the intermediate player it is a challange. It will be well worth it's price, and well worn by the time I am done with it. This is my second book by Barrett Tagliarino and I highly recommend it.

Editorial Review:

Learn how the professionals create monster solos with this easy-to-use book/CD pack! The accompanying CD includes 68 tracks of exercises, licks, solo examples, and play-alongs. Includes all necessary foundation materials; detailed instructions on how and what to practice; essential concepts for players at every level; developing your real-time melodic reflexes; soloing over any progression in any style of music; using chords as an endless source of ideas; and more.