Book – My First Guitar – Learn To Play: Kids

Author –  Ben Parker

Amazon Link –  https://www.amazon.com/My-First-Guitar-Learn-Play/dp/1908707135

About

The publishers claim that this book is the perfect introduction to the guitar for kids of all ages as it contains no sheet music to follow and kids can easily follow the clear and simple diagrams and photos.

This will help them to learn their first chords, play fun tunes and gain confidence playing their first guitar.

 

What I liked about the book?

I like simple and direct books that help students learn in a nice easy and clear manner. This book doesn`t contain a lot of information but it does feature the chords and lyrics to some popular nursery rhymes such as `Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star` and `Old Macdonald`.

Having the chords and lyrics as well as strum patterns in front of a student is a useful tool.

The book also features some basic information on technique (but not a lot) which is needed to get a student started.

If you want to encourage a child in your family to play or want to learn some songs to teach them then this can be a handy little book, but only really alongside other more in-depth resources.

 

Is there an audio cd and is it any good?

No, but that would have been very useful.

 

What I don`t like about the book?

It`s a simple book that is probably overpriced for what it does as it is very short. The bits on technique are really brief too and there is no real mention of essential things such as using the minimum pressure required or getting in the ideal position to fret notes.

If there were more nursery rhymes and an audio CD for the student to play along with it would have been better.

 

Conclusion

The book is a really simple book that will help a child in your family get started on the guitar but you may need to assist them with proper technique and timing.

It will also be a good little guide for you if you want to learn some nursery rhymes to teach them. Apart from that, the book doesn`t do much else.

 

Rating

5/10

 

Book – Sing Along with Easy Fingerpicking Guitar Accompaniment

Author –  Hal Leonard

Amazon Link – https://www.amazon.com/Sing-Along-Fingerpicking-Guitar-Accompaniment/dp/1458441369/

About

This songbook features 30 popular songs arranged for guitar and voice in standard notation and tablature. Whether you’re performing solo or backing up another singer, the guitar arrangements in this book will provide the perfect accompaniment. The chords and overall harmony of each song are specially tailored for fingerstyle performance and written in both standard notation and tab. The melody and chord symbols are also shown above the guitar part for reference.

 

What I liked about the book?

The songs are great and the arrangements are very good. Some of the songs are classic fingerpicking songs and just what you would expect in a book like this and some are a little more out there so there is a nice variety for everyone.

There are a couple I didn`t know before getting the book but this is great as it opens us up to more songs that we may not otherwise hear.

Some of the songs include:

• Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)
• Black Hole Sun
• Bridge Over Troubled Water
• Don’t Know Why
• Every Breath You Take
• The First Cut Is The Deepest
• Free Bird
• Hallelujah
• Nights In White Satin
• Walking In Memphis
• A Whiter Shade Of Pale

 

Is there an audio cd and is it any good?

Yep, there is one, and it could be one of the best I have reviewed. The audio CD contains a demonstration of the complete guitar part and is enhanced so Mac & PC users can adjust the key without changing the tempo, and vice versa.

This makes it easy to put a capo on at a higher fret while still play along with the recordings of songs. The capo can make fretting chords far easier for beginners but this usually prevents you from being able to play along with recordings which is super useful. The CD allows this to happen.

Unfortunately, I couldn`t get the CD to work on my PC through a technical fault of the makers (you have to be logged in, in a certain way for it to work).

I had a quick listen on my CD player and it sounds good – the quality of the recordings are great. Shame about the technical issues.

 

What I don`t like about the book?

Some of the arrangements are a little harder or easier than I would have liked but if you are experienced or want to become an arranger yourself, then you can adapt the arrangements in the book by adding or taking away a few notes here or there to suit your skill level.

 

Conclusion

This is a super fun book and a really good one to have on your music stand. There is a wide variety of songs on offer and most of the arrangements are very good. The fact the CD wouldn`t work is a little annoying but I`m happy to put the original song on and just get jamming with it.

 

Rating

9/10

Book – The Segovia Scales

Author –  Sean Thrower

Amazon Link –  https://www.amazon.com/Segovia-Scales-Illustrated-Tablature-Fretboard-ebook/dp/B06XVH5626/

About

`The Segovia Scales` is based on the book `Diatonic Major and Minor Scales` by Andrés Segovia which was published in 1953. In this book, those scales are re-illustrated using a combination of standard notation, tablature, and fretboard diagrams.

This makes them easier to read, quicker to learn, and accessible to more people. Also included in the material is an explanation of how Segovia organized the scales, a reference page displaying the 8 finger patterns used to play all of the scales, and practice tips for increasing speed and accuracy.

 

What I liked about the book?

Segovia is one of the greatest and most accomplished classical guitarists of all time. His playing over many decades was sublime and his influence on classical guitarists goes on. Many guitarists fall into two traps with scales. They either learn one or two which is limiting or they learn far too many and not really ever get comfortable with them.

This book teaches you Segovia`s system of organising and practising scales. There are 8 patterns in the book and all 8 patterns feature a position shift (meaning you move up/down the fretboard) which is great as it will help you utilise the fretboard better than most guides will.

The book also has guidelines on how to finger each note in each scale, how to use the circle of fifths to organise the scales and various tips thrown in throughout.

 

Is there an audio cd and is it any good?

No, and it is not essential for this.

 

What I don`t like about the book?

As Segovia was a classical guitarist there is a big emphasis on the melodic minor scale which is the same as the natural minor scale except that you raise the 6th and 7th degrees of the scale on the way up only.

This scale is not really used for contemporary playing very often (other than some jazz) and most guitarists will find this scale not that useful. The natural minor is much more practical for modern music.

You could use the book as a template and then adapt the scale choices to fit your needs which is what I did when I first got the book.

 

Conclusion

Although not a long book, you could make the information in this book last many years and to master it, it would take years.

Apart from the fact, the melodic minor scale won`t be overly useful to the modern day guitarist, the information and way it is structured is very valuable. The key thing with any book like this is not to rush learning the information.

Many guitarists overload themselves with too much with scales and then stop learning or practising them. Segovia knew a lot about what it took to play the guitar well and this guideline is a great place to start. Just be sure to use it little and often if you do get it.

Just be aware this book won`t make you a great guitarist but it will give you the tools to practice scales in a systematic way which will allow you to make overall improvements to your playing.

 

Rating

9/10

Book – How to Make a Million Dollars Playing the Guitar

Author – Douglas Niedt

Amazon Link –   https://www.amazon.com/Make-Million-Dollars-Playing-Guitar-ebook/dp/B01ITYD0P0/

About

`How to Make a Million Dollars Playing the Guitar`  is, according to the publisher, a no-nonsense guitarist’s guide to making a living in the music business written by a guitarist who’s been there and done it himself.

They claim, you can be quite successful as a guitar player or musician if you understand the insider secrets on how the music industry works, how to attract raving fans and how to structure and build your business properly from the ground up.

 

What I liked about the book?

The book is highly motivational. It is like a self-help guide made just for guitarists. Throughout the book, you will feel the writer`s passion for guitar playing and music in general, work its wonders on you.

He claims it will be hard, very hard, to make a million being a guitarist, but he makes you want to go on that journey.

The book also has a few useful lists to consider. These include 19 things to get started on to `make it` in the industry.  Some of these things are not too much fun (such as copyright law and performance royalties) and others are (such as the recording process and video production).

 

Is there an audio cd and is it any good?

No, and it is not needed.

 

What I don`t like about the book?

Although highly motivational, the book lacks specific advice on what exactly you should do. The list of 19 things is one of the most specific parts of the book, but even then the author says you will have to research them.

After reading the book, I`m not really sure I learnt a lot. There is no specific plan to follow. Instead of spending the majority of time giving a `kick up the rear end` of deluded musicians or motivating those who need it, a plan of action would have been much more useful.

For instance, he could take you through the steps of building a website, portfolio of styles, (e.g. blues, country, jazz, rock, folk), how to meet big influencers (hang around after gigs) and other super important factors.

 

Conclusion

This is a highly motivating book but unless you really want to make it as a superstar guitarist, it probably isn`t for you.

If you do want to make it as a superstar guitarist, then you will probably get more from reading a business book (such as those written by Dan Kennedy) and applying the knowledge found there.

It is good for motivation and a reality check but not too much more.

Rating

4/10

 

 

Book – First Time Guitar Buyers Guide

Author – Kevin Craine

Amazon Link –  https://www.amazon.com/First-Time-Guitar-Buyers-Guide/dp/061570851X

About

The First Time Guitar Buyers Guide has all the information you need to find, evaluate and purchase a great first guitar.

Author and guitarist Kevin Craine takes you through the process while providing a valuable handbook on what to look for, what to pay, and what steps to take to find the best deal.

Here is all the information first-time buyers need to find a guitar best suited to your style and your budget.

 

What I liked about the book?

As someone who has bought and sold many guitars, I`m probably not the intended audience for this book but nevertheless, there is always something to learn and bits of advice to pick up from others.

Most of the information I already knew but for someone who is inexperienced in buying guitars or wants some specific advice, this is a great book.

The best and most practical chapter is the `What to look for` chapter where the author details important things to spot when trying out a guitar.

These things aren`t always obvious – things such as `belly bulge` – where the wood around the bridge of an acoustic can start to raise due to excessive tension, as well as more commonly known things such as the action, truss rod and more.

The book also clears up a lot of the terminology that confuses guitarists. Things such as what is a dreadnought, orchestra model, jumbo, 000, 00, 0 sized guitars. These are things that confuse a lot of people and most people discussing it on the net assume you know it all already.

 

Is there an audio cd and is it any good?

No, and there is no need for one in a book like this.

 

What I don`t like about the book?

There is not much to not like about the book. There could probably have been a bit more practical advice on which sites and what places to go to, to find some bargains but really this is a book that will stand the test of time as it contains information that won`t necessarily go out of date.

Although a CD isn`t needed an audio link to the chapter `what to listen for` would have been useful as he describes tones of a guitar such as `bright, dark, tubby`. Now, these words are subjective and can mean slightly different things to different people so some sort of audio – even a link to a couple of audio files would have been useful.

 

Conclusion

It`s a short and concise book that contains plenty of interesting and useful information for those looking to get a new guitar. It`s not groundbreaking but is a good read that has a lot of good information in one place.

Even experienced buyers will learn a thing or two about the buying process and what to look for.

 

Rating

8/10

Book – 100 Guitar Tips You Should Have Been Told

Author – David Mead

Amazon Link –  https://www.amazon.com/Tips-Guitar-Should-Have-Been/dp/1860742955/

About

`100 Guitar Tips You Should Have Been Told` is an interesting book that I picked up a while back from Amazon for something like 10p plus a bit for delivery. It hasn`t taught me a huge amount of new things but the author`s approach to teaching is quite a unique one.

This shows as he does a great job of getting you thinking about and applying the things you know about in different ways and not just teaching you content like so many other books/teachers do.

 

What I liked about the book?

There is plenty to like in this book. I actually thought it would just be 100 random tips scattered throughout. Simple things like tuning, how to change strings, hammer-ons etc, but no, this book is actually much more like a real music book than a collection of tips.

The author takes you through some ideas that relate purely to the fretting hand and then the picking hand. Breaking it up like this helps you work on specific skills for each hand rather than try to do everything at once.

He also adds a great section on improvisation at the end and gives advice on how to create a lead line. One particular exercise that is powerful is when he takes the I IV V blues progression in the key of A which are the chords of A7, D7 and E7, and gets you creating lead licks using the A minor pentatonic scale over these chords.

The idea is to keep jamming over the same chord until you get something that sounds really musical and then the aim is to seamlessly transition your lead line while the chord changes. The idea here is that so much music incorporates the I IV V chord progression that it is important to be able to jam over it and most importantly, with it.  It is a great piece of advice as it will serve you well for many songs.

There are plenty of really useful tips in quote form throughout the book too – these are from players such as Eric Clapton, Joe Satriani and Joe Pass and the author nicely throws in some interesting anecdotes from his playing and teaching career which helps you see things from a different angle as well as keeps things interesting.

 

 

 

Is there an audio cd and is it any good?

There should be but unfortunately, my second hand copy didn`t come with one. The book is still very useful but some of the ideas I would need to create my own tracks for or use a looper pedal.

Apart from the backing tracks to jam with (which you can find many that will do the job on YouTube or Spotify), most of the things on the CD are pretty basic according to the contents – things such as how a scale sounds.

Just play the scale and hear it for yourself if you haven`t got the CD – in fact, do that anyway!

 

What I don`t like about the book?

The tips aren`t actually numbered so I have no idea if there are actually 100 tips in it but the advice is very good indeed. There is not a huge amount to criticize apart from the `rhythm` section.

It seems most guitarists and teachers still take rhythm for granted and just expect students to be able to play a wide variety of rhythms and groove really well. If you have ever struggled with this area, which most (if not all) guitarists have, then you will know this is not the case. I teach extensively about rhythm, to the point I am a bit obsessed with it, but that is because it is so powerful.

I would have liked to have seen much more detail here as what there is, is severely lacking.

Some of the techniques are pretty basic too but some are more suitable for intermediate players. The target market for the book seems a little unclear which may put off some beginners and intermediates as the book caters for both at different points but not in a linear way.

 

Conclusion

If you have played for a little while, (about 12 months on) and are feeling comfortable with the basics then there is some good stuff to learn from in this book. Apart from the lack of cohesion in the sense it could be a beginner book or it could be better for intermediates it is good.

The author has some interesting insights into the world of guitar playing that is not too dissimilar to that of Mick Goodrick`s very well-loved book (reviewed in a previous BOTM which you can read here) but with a simpler approach that is still thoughtful yet is applicable to beginner/intermediates.

Rating

7/10

 

 

Book – The Guitar Geek Dossier (Kindle edition)

Author – Charles Shaar Murray

Amazon Link –  https://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Dossier-Charles-Shaar-Murray-ebook/dp/B00AP5CKSU/

About

The Guitar Geek Dossier is described as wit and wisdom for guitar heroes in-waiting. It is basically a collection of 25 columns that were published in Guitarist magazine by author, journalist and guitar player, Charles Shaar Murray.

The Guitar Geek column Murray contributed to Guitarist magazine for almost a decade reflected his passion for the instrument, his encyclopaedic knowledge of its history and culture within a multitude of musical traditions and the finely-honed sense of the ridiculous without which it is impossible to contemplate many manifestations of Planet Guitar.

 

What I liked about the book?

First, let`s be clear. This is not a `how to` guide or anything like that. This book won`t make you a better guitarist by teaching you any techniques or by giving you practical advice on how to improve, but it is a downright entertaining read.

There are 25 little anecdotes that Murray shares with us that cover a wide variety of topics which include a lot of talk about gear, his experiences in guitar forums, on stage, in bands and more.

Even though the book isn`t intended to teach you actual things to play there are some pearls of wisdom the author shares which will stand you in good stead – particularly the story of a guitarist he knew who was an absolutely brilliant player but was in an average band.

He constantly showed off his great skills to the audience as if to try to impress them and find a band that was better. Unfortunately, he didn`t realise that no one wanted an absolute show off in their band – therefore he would have been better off playing `for the band` and not showing off at all.

Little nuggets of advice like that are great as a reminder for all guitarists but the main point of these columns is simply they are downright entertaining.

 

Is there an audio cd and is it any good?

No, and it is not really necessary for a book like this.

 

What I don`t like about the book?

Murray clearly comes from the geek head electric guitar world. A lot of what he talks about is very gear related. Personally, I have gone past the stage where talking endlessly about certain amps, or pedal chains, or the woods of a guitar really excite me. These days, I`d much rather pick up my acoustic and jam the hell out of it (and isn`t that what it should be about!)

Some of you might find the geek talk a little bit much too, particularly if you don`t play electric. Apart from that, there is not a lot to dislike.

 

Conclusion

This is a fun book that is more insightful for guitarists than we are led to believe. If you have a spare five minutes and want to explore the world of guitar playing without having your guitar to hand, for instance on your lunch break at work, then reading one of these little pieces will no doubt entertain and inspire you with your actual playing.

At the very least, they will pass the time in a fun way.

 

Rating

9/10

 

 

Book – RGT Acoustic Guitar Playing: Grade 1

Author – Tony Skinner

Amazon Link –  https://www.amazon.co.uk/ACOUSTIC-GUITAR-PLAY-Guitar-Lessons/dp/1905908016/

About

RGT Acoustic Guitar Playing: Grade 1 is a book that covers all the material needed for the RGT Grade 1 examination in acoustic guitar playing, enabling you to study for an internationally recognised qualification.

This volume includes essential chords, scales, strumming patterns, fingerstyle studies and attractive well-known melodies, plus chapters on musical knowledge, accompaniment playing and aural exercises to develop your musical abilities – making it ideal for novice players, whether children or adults, in the early stages of learning.

 

 

What I liked about the book?

I like a good study book. Something that you can use to develop skills and test yourself in different ways. Even if you do not intend to take the exam, you will still learn a lot from this as it helps develop many aspects of your playing in a structured way.

You will develop things that are important but don`t get tested often. These things include aural skills, ability to jam, sight read chord charts and more.

It is also cleverly designed so that it can be used by both fingerstyle and plectrum players.

The performance part of the book is split up into two sections. Rhythm and lead. If doing the exam, everyone has to do the rhythm section (which is the way it should be).

The next part is where things get interesting though. You have to choose either a fingerstyle study or a melody to perform. Naturally, fingerstyle players will be more inclined to do a fingerstyle study and pick players a melody but you can do either.

When using the book with students, I get them to practice both as there are lots of benefits to doing so.

The fingerstyle studies are good – they are simple patterns played over basic chords and the melodies are great. In this grade, you have `Auld Lang Syne`, `Swing Low Sweet Chariot` and a couple of other traditional ones.

 

Is there an audio cd and is it any good?

Yep, and yep it is very good. The pieces are well recorded and cover everything in the book.

 

What I don`t like about the book?

There really is nothing to not like about this book. The RGT acoustic exams are in my opinion much better and more relevant than the electric exams which have different criteria.

The only way I would improve this is by swapping a couple of the melodies for more modern ones that we all know and love rather than them being traditional. The trouble with that, however, is the makers of the book would have to get copyright clearance.

 

Conclusion

A wonderful book that helps acoustic guitarists improve their core skills in a practical, measurable and fun way. If you get this book and work through it, you will improve whether or not you intend to take the exam or not.

I know many of you are located in parts of the world where sitting RGT exams is not an option, but still, I highly recommend you get this book and go through it from start to finish.

It will definitely improve your playing and will highlight your strong and weak areas.

 

Rating

9.5/10

 

 

Book – 7 Secrets to Tuning Your Guitar

Author – Don Sansone

Amazon Link –  https://www.amazon.com/7-Secrets-Tuning-Your-Guitar-ebook/dp/B00DVSA8AU/

About

The author claims to teach you 7 key secrets of tuning the guitar that will help your guitar sound in better tune as well as stay in tune for longer. It is a very specific topic which affects all of us guitar players on a daily basis.

According to the author, there are two basic problems that guitar players face when they try to tune their guitars. These are tuning the guitar so that:

• It sounds in tune
• It stays in tune after you start playing

In this book, he aims to address both. Let`s see if he did….

 

What I liked about the book?

As you guys will know, particularly if you have read my books, that I like books that are laser-focused on certain subjects and not try to cover a million different ideas.

This book about tuning is not very long, after all, how long does it need to be? So the brevity of it is good, what about the content.

I like some of the tips a lot. He is clearly an experienced player and has a good ear.

The following were useful:

• Tuning to octaves (which is where you ensure the octave of any fretted note is in tune)
• Humming the notes when using the relative method to tune (as it helps you hear if one note is higher or lower in pitch than the other)
• Stretching the strings a little before tuning (to help remove excessive tension and stabilise them)

Most inexperienced guitarists will find these tips pretty useful which is always a good thing and learning to play in tune is one of the most crucial things you can do when starting out.

The reasons for this are, you need your ear to be well trained from the offset, (playing an out of tune guitar means your ear is being trained to hear things wrongly) and an in tune guitar just sounds better to you and your audience.

We all know how awful an out of tune singer is, and an out of tune guitar is no better.

 

Is there an audio cd and is it any good?

No, and there is no real need for one due to the nature of the book.

 

What I don`t like about the book?

Well, the book doesn`t really teach you 7 secrets. For instance, the first two secrets are just facts and fairly common knowledge. Basically the author is saying you need to ensure the guitar is properly setup for it to sound in tune whether or not you are using an electronic tuner or you are using the relative method of tuning. Still, the word secret makes for a more interesting title.
 

Conclusion

Overall, a very good book for those who don`t know much about the intricacies of tuning which, to be honest, is most guitarists other than those seasoned pros.

It`s pretty cheap, and although the information is all out there on the net in bits and pieces, it is here is one neat little eBook so you don`t have to go hunting around for other tuning tips.

Rating

8/10

 

Book – The Martin Taylor Guitar Method

Author – Martin Taylor (with David Mead)

Amazon Link – https://www.amazon.com/Martin-Taylor-Guitar-Method/dp/0786691492/

 

About

The Martin Taylor Guitar Method offers you the chance to study with one of the giants of jazz guitar. Hailed by guitar legend Chet Atkins as “One of the greatest and most impressive guitarists in the world today…” and celebrated by New York’s Jazz Times as “Europe’s finest guitarist,” Martin shares the secrets of his style for the first time in this book.

Learn how Martin creates solo guitar arrangements of jazz standards via a series of progressive studies aimed at introducing guitarists of intermediate level and beyond to the world of arranging and solo performance.

 

What did I like about the book?

First of all, I must say, I`m a big fan of Martin Taylor`s guitar work. As a player he is superb and a joy to listen to. If you like jazz music I definitely recommend you have a listen to his stuff – especially the album, `Double Standards`.

As for his teaching skills, if we judge them by this book alone then he is on the money here too. This is the most exciting and interesting jazz book I have come across.

There is a lot to like in this book. Martin takes you through how to play jazz in a realistic manner. Other books and articles I have read on jazz have tended to be theoretically correct but light on actual real world practical examples.

For example, jazz chords tend to be big and complex and hard to play if you are using the full 6 string voicing. In reality, though, jazz guitarists are changing chords frequently, therefore they don`t have the time to play the big versions but instead play smaller, easier to play versions which sound as good especially if you are not lingering on the chord for some time.

Martin goes through these kinds of real world practical ideas throughout the book.

He also shares some really interesting nuggets of information and anecdotes from his career too which are both fascinating and practical. These include things such as occasionally dropping the low E string all the way down to A, why it can be useful to use upstrums with the thumb and how tuning to 442 rather than 440 gives him a more pleasurable sound.

 

 

Is there an audio cd and is it any good?

There is not an actual audio CD but all the examples are available online. Personally, I`d rather have a CD as well as the option to get them online. The good thing about getting them online is that you can quickly download all the examples to your PC.

 

 

What I don`t like about the book?

In truth, I don`t think there is really anything not to like about the book – unless you don`t like jazz guitar that is.

The only thing that may put a few people off is that the main playthrough song that Martin chose to help you go through many of the techniques is `Danny Boy`. Now, that wouldn`t have been my first choice but after hearing what he did with the melody and harmony, I was converted – it sounds great.

 

Conclusion

Out of all the books I have reviewed so far for the Inner Circle, I think this one is my favourite and the one I have enjoyed the most.

It is fun, exciting and actually does a great job teaching jazz – a subject that is very hard to teach for most.

The material on offer is not easy but if you are keen on jazz or excited by the idea of learning it, then I recommend getting it.

 

Rating

9.5/10