Shift positions, play harmony, and understand chord structures
Although learning the guitar can seem intimidating, this easy-to-use, step-by-step guide is simple enough even for novices, who can start picking simple tunes and learn to play chords in no time.
Customer Reviews:
Major & Minor Confusion.......2007-07-17
I bought this book because I knew nothing about the guitar and needed the basics. The first chapter is fine, but the authors leave big gaps as they go along in teaching you the songs. For example, they teach you a couple of chords and then give you songs in tablature, yet they only offer a small paragraph in the beginning of the book about how to read tablature. I had to turn away from this book to go on with my learning. I don't recommend it. And, by the way, I found that photos of people playing chords doesn't help. Sound files and charts are much better!
Too basic.... better off with a teacher........2006-12-27
This one is just TOO basic - the level it aims at could be better addressed with one or two lessons - and, I believe, better. I didn't return it, though. I'll gift it to someone who wants to learn the basics - on their own!
Book Description
The author knows from over 20 years of teaching experience that students form most of their good and bad habits in the first six months of practicing. It is therefore extremely important to use a method book that clearly and concisely covers the important subjects of proper playing technique, tuning, picking, strumming, music theory and rhythm. Furthermore, the only way a student can remember the information learned is to apply it.
Customer Reviews:
How serious are you about learning to play guitar?.......2005-01-06
First, I would like to point out that this book is but a small part of a VERY thorough collection of educational material for guitar from Mr. Arnold. Each of his books targets particular aspects of guitar and often music in general. The books are part of a complete system by which you can communicate with Mr. Arnold. He actually answers e-mail that you send him and responds with VERY thorough and understandable answers. This "Beginning..." book has a good introduction to chord progressions, technique, and virtually everything you need to get started. I can not recommend this book highly enough. It is NOT a "quick fix" method by which you learn patterns on the fretboard and never even know what notes you are playing. It is not really targeted for any particular music genre, so I think it is appropriate for anyone that is serious about truly learning to play guitar. You begin to learn theory, sight reading, technique, and he will probably encourage you to begin ear training as well (another one of his books). His books are augmented with videos and additional information available on his web site. You can get access to the site by buying any one of his books.
The chord progressions are basic and easy to learn. Yes, it will take some time to learn them, if you are 100% new to guitar, but it is worth it. Each progression is played at three levels and the notation helps you to begin to understand rhythm as well. THIS BOOK COVERS ALL THE BASES FOR THE BEGINNER! E-mail Mr. Arnold if you have questions and he will fill in any ambiguity.
I would like to repeat that although you could just learn your basics from this book, without any of his other workbooks and such, I think that once you get started, you will be hooked. Bruce Arnold knows how to teach music and knows how to convey information in his books, web site, and with personal e-mail. This book is part of a total system (books, workbooks, website, e-mail) that Mr. Arnold can customize for you (by suggesting the appropriate books) that will allow you to take your guitar knowledge as far as you want to go, whether you want to go pro or primarily just play for fun, such as myself.
I think that this is the best method of learning. You have the luxury of learning at your own pace with plenty of reference material AND you have e-mail access to the author of the books if you get stuck on something. It is the best of both worlds of lessons and learning on your own. I have not found anything else quite like it, particularly with the quality of information that Mr. Arnold provides.
If you want to really learn, BUY THIS BOOK. If you just want to strum chords to folks songs for kids, get the e-Media CDROM and go through it (It puts me to sleep.) If you want quick fixes and don't care to understand what you are playing, this will not provide what you are looking for. If you just want to be able to "shread" through pentatonic scales at blazing speeds on your guitar to impress your friends (never actually understanding what you are doing or why), this is not your book. You will need to be serious about learning about music and about the guitar to get through any of this series of books, including this one. These books are for people that want to understand what they are playing so that each new song is not like starting over in your learning process. With a solid foundation, each new song is learned in a fraction of the time it would take if you don't understand anything but where to put each finger for a few chords.
I would also suggest that you purchase (in the near future) a songbook of "Easy Guitar" songs (or something similar) to start working on as well as this book or any beginning method book. This book provides the foundation, but you will want something else to work with at the same time that provides some songs that you have fun learning. Mr. Arnold will probably also recommend that you be sure to spend some time just having fun playing your guitar as well as practicing from the book or doing theory study. You have to continue to enjoy PLAYING as well as learning. That was key for me to maintain my interest.
All I can say is: If you want to learn from a pro, BUY THE BOOK! You won't regret it. Just plan to put a little time into it. As with anything worth doing, it takes time to learn to do it properly. This book will begin your journey.
Stuff I actually want to learn.......2004-07-01
I bought eMedia Guitar Method, Vol 1 and 1st Steps for a Beginning Guitarist. For myself I greatly prefer 1st Steps for a Beginning Guitarist. I thought eMedia was way over priced for what it offered. I guess if you are really struggling with the guitar, can't even finger a C chord after a few weeks of practice and like songs like Michael Rows a Boat Ashore eMedia would be perfect. 99% of the songs they teach I would never care to play. The Chord finder was cool but no songs for most of the chords in the chord finder so I was unsure how to use them. On the other hand I thought 1st Steps for a Beginning Guitarist was great. I should point out that you really should have a DSL or cable connection to the internet for this book. It comes with nothing but the publisher's website and it has 100's of videos, mp3 and midifiles for the information in the book. I've ordered a few of Mr. Arnold's books and I should also point out that he's an author that targets a student that really wants to play well and maybe form a band. His education style is more like one musician to another budding musician rather than giving you stuff that is corny or uninteresting. He also interacts with you via email if you have questions. So I guess what I'm saying is eMedia is fine if you really just want to accompany children or actually like campfire songs on the other hand if you want to learn stuff you wouldn't mind playing with your friends or in a band then I'd go for the 1st Steps.
Amazing Book.......2004-06-25
This book is like getting a book and a DVD. Amazing amount of information for a beginning guitarist to explore. The book is well organized and the on-line video etc... is well laid out. I found the videos showing the pitfalls of each chord type to be very informative. The strumming help files also help me coordinate both my hands. Highly recommended as a First Step for those of us just getting started on this cool instrument.
Amazing amount of information.......2004-02-27
I found this book to be well written and got the feeling that the author is seriously dedicated to teaching. I was a little concerned because I knew of Mr. Arnold from his CDs and wasn't sure if a player would also be a good teacher or could write a good book. I was pretty overwhelmed by the amount of information available in the book and on the publisher's website. This isn't a famous guitar player trying to cash in on his playing status to make money. I was particularly impressed by the amount of videos and MP3 files that are available. I first thought why didn't they just give me a DVD or a CD with this book. I'm not positive but I don't even think you could fit the amount of videos and MP3's on one CD or DVD. I found it interesting that the book doesn't really go into to learning scales but the website gives you fingerings for a hugh amount of scales with videos showing you how to play the scales and comments on the right way to learn the scales, Overall I'd say this book is for the folks out there that are serious weekend guitar players. By serious I mean someone who wants to know what they are doing on the guitar not just learn a bunch of fingerings and hope for the best. I got a couple of the other best sellers along with this book and although some of them claimed to an easy method I didn't find it any easier than this book. They all contained about the same information except this book then goes way beyond the other books I bought. For instance I found everything is clearly laid out with nice big chord diagrams with the added bonus of where these notes would be on a music staff. The other books didn't have information on where the notes of the chords are on a staff. All the books seem to contain the same chords basically the "open" and "barre" position chords. I really appreciated all the comments throughout the 1st Steps book on which chords where hard so that I knew to be patient. The real kicker was the videos showing Mr Arnold playing each chord and explaining what problems you may encounter along with how to mute the strings so you wouldn't have to worry so much about how you are strumming the chord. Seems like a small amount of information but it really helped me learn the chords quicker. There are many many tips like this along the way in this book and in the videos that really helped me improve and/or understand why I was having problems. I would recommend this book without hesitation.
Great Stuff.......2004-02-19
I'm a person returning to the guitar after a 10 year break. Remembered some stuff but really wanted to start from the beginning again. I've been working with this book for a few weeks now and have to report that the book in combination with the on-line stuff is fantastic. The Publisher's Website contains multiple videos covering the information in the book and many other topics. For instance there are videos on how to memorizing chords and substitute chord progressions for the progressions found in the book. The Hendrix one is killer. There are videos on such things as the CAGED system and other common misconceptions which I found very informative and made me see some of my misconceptions about the best way to learn. Overall I think this is a very easy method to learn from. I found the videos in particular to be very quick study and something I could play over and over until I mastered the information. I find Mr. Arnold's teaching style to be quite thorough and it's obvious from the videos that he enjoys teaching. Oh yeh, the videos of every chord showing alternate fingers and all the problems that students have was a real eye opener. OK so I could go on and on but you get the picture this is a cool book so check it out!
Product Description
A step-by-step, concise, user-friendly guide to learning chords, strumming, and songs. Music is presented in the keys of G, D, E minor and C with a DVD. The book also features sections on types of guitars, frequently asked questions, how to string a guitar, and musical and guitar-related terminology. Ideal for beginners of any age.
Book Description
Learn to play in very easy stages! The simplest introduction to the fundamentals, with plenty of fun tunes to play throughout. For complete beginners.The guitar book uses standard notation and tablature. Prepacks available! For every 12 copies ordered, get an extra book free, in a free counter display. With these superb books, you will master all the basics of playing guitar chords, licks, patterns, and scales. Ideal for beginners, these books include easy to follow instructions, many diagrams and photographs.
Customer Reviews:
A GREAT BOOK.......2003-09-09
Truly written for beginners. Large easy to read diagrams. Buy this book. You'll use this everyday as a reference.
Easy and fun.......2002-07-31
If a dummy like me can do it, you know it's easy. This book is easy to understand and the CD is fun to play along to. I especially like the way the tracks are all done with and then without the guitar parts so that you can hear how it's supposed to sound and then play along.(Ignore the table of contents, I think it belongs with "First Guitar Lead Licks").
Average customer rating:
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The First Book of Chords for the Guitar: Guitar Technique
Manufacturer: G. Schirmer, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Guitar
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Songbooks
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ASIN: 0793506484 |
Book Description
Perfect for the beginning guitarist, this book features easy-to-read diagrams of the most commonly used chords. Also includes information on chord progressions, tuning, playing by ear, bass notes, transposition, keys, and the capo and how to use it.
Average customer rating:
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First Guitar Chords
Music Sales Corporation , and
Arthur Dick
Manufacturer: Music Sales Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Guitar
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General
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ASIN: 0711934037 |
Book Description
With this superb book, you'll soon master over 100 essential guitar chords and progress to playing your favorite songs.
Book Description
The "First Stage" Guitar Book....is a must have beginners guitar book for those who really want to learn how to play the guitar which includes more than just 4 or 5 chords.
Look no further for simplicity and the easiest to play chord fingering diagrams of the most commonly played guitar chords whether it is rock n roll, blues, pop, country or any other style.
The "First Stage" Guitar Book....is Boldly Illustrated with a See and Do Approach....Only the Easy To Learn Guitar Information...Free of All That Wordy Fluff.
The "First Stage" Guitar Book.... takes you from tuning your guitar to naming each note on the guitar neck-fingerboard. It clearly illustrates the most commonly played guitar chords in the easiest and best sounding fingering shapes of each chord in both "Open"-notes typically played within the first four frets and "Barre"-fretted shapes. Also included are simple illustrated tips on how to enhance the sound of various chord shapes.
There is a Chord Combination Chart which will enable you to begin creating a surprising number of your own chord progressions without the guess work of which chord goes with which chord, allowing you to form the arrangement of any chord progression to suit your voice.
You will also learn how to read tablature (tabs) and Power Chords which are simply playing the sixth and fifth string or fifth and fourth string of any barre chord which are referred to as 5th Chords, it is that simple.
It is not necessary for the beginning guitar player to spend time reading hundreds of pages of learning how to play to get you on your way to learning how to play the guitar. You will find yourself playing your favorite songs and personal creations right away while saving hundreds of dollars on private lessons.
There is a section on traditional blues and rock n roll progressions which you will be able to transpose to any key to fit your voice.
Another great feature is that the binding allows this guitar book to remain flat for easy viewing of both the left and right side of each page.
Another great feature of this guitar book is you will be surprisingly shown how to change any Major Chord into a Minor Chord, Minor Seventh Chord or Major Dominant 7th Chord by just lifting a finger. It doesn't get any easier and it is so very simple.
You may want to come back at a later time to learn why the chords in the Chord Combination Chart are presented in a particular order but it is not necessary to know this to move forward and begin creating your own chord combinations (progressions).
This guitar book spends very little time in theory but focuses more of your time on getting you on to learning how to play the guitar the first day you receive it.
At the end of this guitar book are presented a few basic practice scale patterns with chord progressions so you can get a feel of what it is like to play lead guitar on a chord progression.
It does not get any easier for the beginning guitar player and those who all already play some. This guitar book continues to sell thousands upon thousands of copies world wide consistently because of it is boldly illustrated and simple diagrams.
Customer Reviews:
OK.......2007-01-09
This book is better suited for people who already know guitar basics. You shouldn't play chords if you're not comfortable playing notes
Good as a companion to another method.......2005-01-06
This is primarily a book on chord progressions. Starting with the most popular chords used in music, and then moving to other chords in open in barre position. Interspersed here and there are some tips on playing guitar. Not much more than that, and not very well organized.
I would consider this most beneficial as a companion to lessons or to a complete method found elsewhere. There just isn't much to it. It's 80 pages, but each page generally contains two 4-chord progressions. I also found that several of the chords listed are inaccurate -- or at least inconsistent with several other sources I checked them against.
I've used about 6 different books and software on learning the guitar, and I found this to be the least helpful. But there are some great reference diagrams that I still refer to, and as it is entirely focused on popular progressions, it finds a home being used in conjunction with another book.
Good Place to Start.......2003-12-02
I bought this book about three months ago and although it is a good place to get started, it does have a few mistakes. I'm now taking lessons and have learned that a few of the chord patterns in the book are inaccurate and/or wrong. For example, the book shows the correct finger pattern for an "A" major chord but does not omit the 6th string (open "E" note) from the chord diagram, thus leading you to believe the note should be played as part of the chord. My intructor corrected me the first time I played the chord. The mistake appears to be a simple publishing error but of course you can't know this if you are a beginner like myself. All things considered, the book was helpful in getting started and I was able to learn a few helpful chords before my lessons began. If you purchase this book, and are not familiar with how each chord is formulated, I would recommend veryfing the finger patterns against another source before you become too comfortable playing the chords.
40+ guitar beginner.......2003-04-07
This was the first book I used to get started from scratch. The reason I like it is that it has NO songs, so it took the pressure off having to learn a song, yet the 4 chord sequences sound quite good (according to my wife). It includes barre chords, but also alterative figuring to barre chords, so you can learn them slowly/progresively without pressure. The other book a bought (for songs) is "The Complete Guitarist" by Russ Shipton
A Great Book for Real Beginners.......2002-07-24
I have been playing the guitar for about a month. I have learned more from going through the chord progressions in this book than a [$$$] one I bought elsewhere. It certainly isn't all I need to know but it is a great start. I intend to go on to the next one in the series.
Book Description
This book offers a great starting point for the 6-string guitarist who is adapting to the 7-string guitar with the seventh string tuned to A, one octave below the fifth
string. Readers will gain insight to the chord conversion process as the proceed through the book. Major, minor, and dominant 7th chords are addressed with an emphasis on the top note in the chord as the "melody note" and the lowest note as the "bass note" as used in melody/chord playing.
After presenting the basic chord shapes, the author offers right-hand technique exercises which illustrate the myriad opportunities for developing walking and alternating bass lines as well as exploring the expand chord/melody options afforded by the 7-string guitar. This book would make a fine addition to the library of the beginning to advanced 7-string guitarist. Written in standard notation and
tablature plus easily read chord diagrams.
Further Recommendations: Complete Fingerstyle Jazz Guitar Book (95434) by Alan de Mause.
Customer Reviews:
(...).......2001-12-22
Not worth your money. each chord took up a half page. only includes a couple basic chords and goes into the (...) detail with all the g#m7 type things. book is also very thin. NOT RECOMMENDED!
Average customer rating:
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The Trumpet (Learn to Play)
Frank Cappelli
Manufacturer: Eldorado Ink
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Brass
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Guitar
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ASIN: 1932904166 |
Product Description
This book gives practical advice on getting started by explaining how to purchase and care for your first instrument. It provides an introduction to reading music and teaches how to play through clearly illustrated step-by-step instructions coupled with simple exercises and songs to improve your skills. The easy-to-follow chord diagrams are combined with helpful tips to make learning fun. Sturdy library binding. Approximately 50 color photographs. Numerous chord diagrams and exercises. Timeline. Internet resources. Glossary. Index.
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