Favorite Guitar Method books?

demonale · February 8th, 2010, 01:01 AM

OK, a question for strat-talk users: Which guitar method books do you currently own and find or have found useful and why?

Here's my list:

'Artful Arpeggios' by Don Mock, (nice, easy to learn shapes, interesting applications for improvising).
'Fusion Guitar' by Joe Diorio, (very inventive lines on some standard chord progressions).
'The Advancing Guitarist' by Mick Goodrick, (nothing ground breaking, but essentially a long and entertaining answer to the age old question, "How do I improve my guitar playing...".

OK, I'm a little biased towards Jazz/Fusion, but I want to hear from Rock guys, Country, Classical, Folk, Metal, etc. Beginners or intermediate/ advanced- Post up!

ToneRanger · February 8th, 2010, 07:59 AM

It’s not an “instruction” book per se – more a reference book – but “The Guitar Grimoire- Scales and Modes” I found gave me the most bang for the buck of any book I’ve purchased over the years. Just sitting down and experimenting with some of the stranger scale and mode shapes kind of broadens your horizons – gets you seeing different combinations of notes you wouldn’t have considered otherwise…

demonale · February 8th, 2010, 11:18 AM

Yeah, I've seen that book...kinda looks like something Merlin would use if he were learning guitar in the time of King Arthur!

Looked through it and it seemed a little dry and intimidating. Maybe a book to dip in and out of, rather than go cover to cover, right?

lesray · February 8th, 2010, 01:20 PM

Try and get a hold of the Praxis System Guitar compendium by Howard Roberts & Gary Hagberg . 3 Books deals with Tecnique/Improvisation/Musicianship and Theory. It has a programme based approach for all styles that you can dip in and out. It also has trouble shooting(the guitarist's guide to problem solving. These 3 books are my bible and by far the best book ive ever come across i mean that these books will blow youre mind the most innovative books you will see .

stevo58 · February 8th, 2010, 01:34 PM

Well, I'm not as advanced as you guys are, but I found Jim Ferguson's "All Blues for Jazz Guitar," Steve Kahn's "Contemporary Chord Khancepts" and of course Mickey Baker's books to be pretty darn swell.

steven

ToneRanger · February 8th, 2010, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by demonale

Yeah, I've seen that book...kinda looks like something Merlin would use if he were learning guitar in the time of King Arthur!

Yeah, that's the one.

Quote:

Looked through it and it seemed a little dry and intimidating. Maybe a book to dip in and out of, rather than go cover to cover, right?

Like it said, it's more of a reference piece - like a dictionary or encyclopedia. Alot of times I'll pick one of the strange modes in there and mess around - something like "Hungarian Melodic Minor" or something goofy like that - and just play it over a pedal tone to see what it sounds like. Some stuff sounds like crap - other stuff can be kind of cool in the right setting...

Suthrn_BLU_Sman · February 8th, 2010, 04:02 PM

Im really glad you posted this because I was thinking of asking this same question. I need a good all around method book. Something I can understand and not feel intimidated by, and something that has some practical application or some examples. I've bought plenty of "blues guitar" books and they all have the same stuff in them, rarely do I ever find a new lick or idea in those but Im thinking maybe a method book or a step-by-step guitar learning program will be helpful to me.

Falstaff48 · February 8th, 2010, 04:34 PM

Anyone seen or used The Efficient Guitarist instruction book?
I've never used an instruction book but do have a copy of The Complete Guitarist in my library. Looks pretty complete and easy to follow.

firesgt911 · February 8th, 2010, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToneRanger

It’s not an “instruction” book per se – more a reference book – but “The Guitar Grimoire- Scales and Modes” I found gave me the most bang for the buck of any book I’ve purchased over the years. Just sitting down and experimenting with some of the stranger scale and mode shapes kind of broadens your horizons – gets you seeing different combinations of notes you wouldn’t have considered otherwise…

Great book! There is so much to learn from it. It is not for the faint of heart, as it is a little intimidating at first. Once you get going it becomes easier. I have increased my speed and knowledge with it.

amstratnut · February 8th, 2010, 04:56 PM

I have not had much luck with insrtuction books. I do have a Joe Pass book that deals with chords, chord subs and has some good practice examples. He doesn't exlpain things very well but it doeskind of help. I'm going to look into the Praxis book that looks promising.

I did buy a book online about practicing very very slowly with no tension. It was useful in that I didn't realize how much tension was built into my playing. The long and short of the book is, if you teach your muscles to play something in a relaxed way slowly, this can translate to faster playing in the long run. I agree for the most part, but at a certain point on the metronome I still get that cramping sensation.

Anyway, I'm sure you shredders are familiar with relaxation techniques for guitar.

demonale · February 8th, 2010, 09:45 PM

Anyone had any experience with the 'Fretboard Logic' series of books? I have the first two, (actually the SE with both books in one volume). They seem like a good account of the CAGED system, (NOT invented by the author, btw), but rather dry IMO...

The arpeggio fingerings also seem a little impractical and the lack of real musical examples bothers me a little, although the amazon reviews are glowing. Any thoughts?

Some good stuff here. Lets keep this thread going- could be an excellent resource for Strat-Talk users!

lesray · February 9th, 2010, 12:18 PM

Try the Mel Bay Jazz Guitar method by Ronny Lee this is a great book on jazz chords and there application

still_fiddlin · February 9th, 2010, 01:18 PM

Amazon.com: Guitar Lore (9781598060874): Dennis Sandole: Books

woodsie831 · March 15th, 2010, 06:35 AM

Has anyone tried "Blues You Can Use"? I'm sort of an "advanced beginner" and it got great reviews for my skill level and musical interests. Just curious if it's any good.

Brian R · March 27th, 2010, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by demonale

OK, a question for strat-talk users: Which guitar method books do you currently own and find or have found useful and why?

Here's my list:

'Artful Arpeggios' by Don Mock, (nice, easy to learn shapes, interesting applications for improvising).
'Fusion Guitar' by Joe Diorio, (very inventive lines on some standard chord progressions).
'The Advancing Guitarist' by Mick Goodrick, (nothing ground breaking, but essentially a long and entertaining answer to the age old question, "How do I improve my guitar playing...".

OK, I'm a little biased towards Jazz/Fusion, but I want to hear from Rock guys, Country, Classical, Folk, Metal, etc. Beginners or intermediate/ advanced- Post up!

The interesting thing here is why books? With the internet and technology now video is the prefered medium. Lessons are easier to follow when being shown.
Brian

hankbmarvin.com

skipsinclair · March 27th, 2010, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodsie831

Has anyone tried "Blues You Can Use"? I'm sort of an "advanced beginner" and it got great reviews for my skill level and musical interests. Just curious if it's any good.

REALLY like this book. I have the first one and have been considering picking up the other two or three companion books. It's nice cause it gives you a very simple, step-by-step progression with examples - first lesson is blues scale in one position, second lesson is linking first with second position, etc, all with decent jam tracks. Also, while presenting the next lesson, they'll throw in a different blues style with the tracks as well, sometimes Delta, sometimes Texas, major and minor, etc. Very complete.

I'd consider myself at the same point, adv/beginner. I took lessons as a kid for about six years, but haven't played again for about 20 yrs after that!!

woodsie831 · March 27th, 2010, 06:33 AM

you're situation almost mirrors mine skip. i took lessons as a teen but haven't played in almost 20 yrs since. I did get the book and i've been using it for a few weeks now and i like it alot. the jam tracks are alot of fun to play.

timegoesback · April 27th, 2010, 09:08 AM

I currently only have 'Creative Guitar' 1 and 2 by Guthrie Govan. One is pretty basic but a really enjoyable read, I recommend it even if you're not a beginner. 2 covers advance techniques...legato, tapping, eight finger tapping...emulating other instruments. Both have some really nice backing tracks.

Does anyone have the following:
"Chord Melody Guitar" by Bruce Buckingham
"The Guitarist's Guide To Composing and Improvising" by Jon Damian
"Chord Factory" by Jon Damian
"Introduction To Jazz Guitar Soloing" by Joe Elliot
"Voice Leading For Guitar" by John Thomas

Care to comment? :p:

Yeah I'm looking to get into jazz

MojoBrown · May 24th, 2010, 11:24 AM

+1 The Advancing Guitarist, probably the best guitar book ever written. Any guitarist serious about their art should own it. Here's a few more that took me from my bedroom to being a Vegas session player(yeahbits only Vegas but it's a start!):

Harmony and Theory: A Comprehensive Source for All Musicians by Keith Wyatt. It's great if you want to learn to read music and understand Theory

Guitar Secrets - Joe Satriani. I mean it's Satch one of the knowledgible players/instructors of all time

A Modern Method For Guitar By William G. Leavitt vol 1,2,& 3. Standard texts from Berklee guitar program. They cover EVERYTHING! I spent a year and a half woodsheding with just these books. It did wonders!

The Inner Game of Music by Barry Green and Timothy Gallwey. I love this book! I make all my students buy it. It's about one if the most overlooked subject in guitar, how to practice! Another must own.

Lua1 · May 24th, 2010, 11:41 AM

i just ordered these two....

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

Amazon.com: Guitar Fretboard Workbook (9780634049019): Barrett Tagliarino: Books

should be here tomorrow!