Looking to get a good tuition book

MegiMegi Posts: 7,208Member
I have a friend who has never played guitar before, but is planning to learn. He wants to learn on an electric guitar, which appeals the most, and I guess just envisages learning general skills, maybe the usual chords at the bottom of the neck everyone starts on, and then moving into general rock and pop guitar playing, perhaps working over backing tracks and that kind of thing. He's intending to order a Shine SIL-510 shortly in fact, which I will help set up.

Anyhow, he's looking to get a good tuition book, which would be sympathetic to someone with no prior experience in music or playing an instrument, but with good depth as well, and which will take him a reasonable distance. I do remember something being mentioned before a lot on this forum, but for the life of me, I can't remember the title or the author. So any recommendations folks?

Comments

  • zoglugzoglug Posts: 314Member
    Justin Sandercoe is the chap ive been using http://justinguitar.com/index.php all lessons are online free, though you can purchase books too. I found the beginners course book and beginner song book to be very helpful indeed as they are broken down into useful stages, introducing a couple of chords each stage and showing you songs utilising only those chords.

    I think others use the Learn and Master Guitar series by Steve Krenz.
  • The TiggsThe Tiggs Posts: 333Member
    +1 for Justin. He's the man.
  • MegiMegi Posts: 7,208Member
    Cheers guys, Justin Sandercoe is a very good thought, thanks for reminding me of him, and will certainly pass that on to my friend, I doubt he could go wrong there. There was some other book that some of the forum guys mentioned once though, which I just can't remember... Jocko? Sticky? anyone?
  • LotusLotus Posts: 332Member
    I'm using Hal Leonard as directed by my teacher. Books 1,2 and 3 are combined in one manual with 3 separate CD's. Takes you from no knowledge up to Grade 3 (I think)

    I supplement this with the Rock School books. Your friend would obviously need the Grade 1 book to start off with and then move on at his own pace.

    Graham
  • JockoJocko Posts: 7,107Member, Moderator
    Rock School actually starts with a Début book. Grade 1 is actually the second in the series but I don't think these are for a total novice. I bought Justin's e-book but feel it requires previous knowledge, though his videos are very good. "10 Minute Guitar Workout" starts with a lot of good theory though I find the exercises get too fast too quickly.
    For a total beginner who wants to learn guitar properly and wants to learn to read music then "Gibson Learn and Master" is the way to go. Comes in two sizes. The standard version with book, 10 DVDs and 5 CDs and the complete version with 20 DVDs.(You can start with the standard version and buy the extra "Bonus Resource" DVDs separate, as I did) The bonus resource pdf is a free download and is worth a look at for anyone unsure of whether to buy or not. See the Learn and Master site/bonusresource.
  • Mark 123Mark 123 Posts: 121Member
    Graham,

    Are you thinking of 'The Guitar Handbook' by Ralph Denyer? That's the one I used to start with. I'm almost evangelical in my praise of this book...

    Cheers,

    Mark.
  • JockoJocko Posts: 7,107Member, Moderator
    "The Guitar Handbook" is a great reference book but I wouldn't say it is for a beginner learning to play. Certainly a font of knowledge once you start down that road though.
  • MegiMegi Posts: 7,208Member
    Thanks Lotus, Jocko and Mark. I will look into the Hal Leonard, as haven't heard of those ones at all.

    I think the one I was trying to remember may well have been the Ralph Denyer "The Guitar Handbook".

    If it was totally down to me to choose, I think I might well get my friend onto the Gibson "Learn and Master" program, assuming it does start from the very beginning, assuming absolutely no previous knowledge of music or guitar. I do have the impression it is both well written and thorough.

    I don't know if my friend would really want to go in for the Rock School graded approach, good though that undoubtedly is.

    Just to explain, when I started guitar, I was lucky to have a copy of an old Corgi paperback: "Guitar" by Dan Morgan (first published late 60s-ish I think). This was well written, aimed at the total beginner, and a really friendly, understanding book. The author knew and remembered how hard the early stages of learning could be, and anticipated difficulties and hurdles along the way sympathetically. There was always an encouraging word at every stage, and helpful advice. It wasn't just "this is a C major chord - learn that" then "now learn this G7". There was always a paragraph or 2 after each chord box, which understood what the learner would be going through trying to get their fingers to do this seemingly impossible task. The book also went on to more advanced chords, plus a bit about single note playing, and did head in a somewhat jazz direction lol, possibly one reason I now play that style. It would now be somewhat out of date though.

    So I'm kind of looking for the nearest modern equivalent to that, if it exists. A really friendly, understanding book, aimed at the total beginner, but which can also take them a reasonable way along, and be inspiring. Does "The Guitar Handbook" not have a good enough beginner section? It sounds like a very good book otherwise, but just going on what you're saying Jocko, maybe not enough depth in the beginner bit...
  • JockoJocko Posts: 7,107Member, Moderator
    "Gibson Learn And Master" starts out by telling you "this is the body", "here is the neck","these are called frets". Doesn't come any more aimed at the beginner. Only downside is the initial cost.
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gibsons-Learn-Ma...xpanded+edition
    On Amazon the poorest review is 4 stars!
    There are Steve Krenz video lessons on the net somewhere. Worth a search see if the style suits and as I say download the bonus resource pdf file for a look at the layout.
    Personally I found the Hal Leonard books too difficult/cumbersome, requiring previous knowledge.
  • MegiMegi Posts: 7,208Member
    Right! Cheers Jocko - OK, I'm going to try to get him onto Gibson's "Learn And Master Guitar" if I can - personally I feel the cost may be higher than some other books, but the value is way better - this is so much more than just a book with the DVDs and CD backing tracks, plus it has that "friendly" thing with the author very much making his presence felt as a helpful, understanding guide... Well that's how it seems to me, am I right?

    If too much initial outlay, I'll have to have another think - maybe the Ralph Denyer book, with me able to help out also in the early stages, or perhaps the Justin Sandercoe stuff...

    Thanks again for all the advice everyone! smile
  • LesterLester Posts: 1,730Member, Moderator
    As a Learn & Master student I reckon it is the most thorough course going (with Justin Sandercoe's web site and books as a valid equal). Starting at complete beginner, the entire course will take the average student between 2 and 4 years depending on their natural skill, the hours they put in and so on.

    One attraction for me to the course was that the resale value is high, so if I decided it wasn't the course for me there was very little to lose by selling the course. As it is, I am sticking with it.
  • zoglugzoglug Posts: 314Member
    Contemplating picking this up myself now, but think i may be best sticking with Justin's stuff.
  • MegiMegi Posts: 7,208Member
    Somehow I'm not personally that keen on Justin's stuff and teaching style - can't quite say why lol, but I have to admit he does show great understanding of the problems beginners face, and has done an excellent job with his videos. Probably just my own personal bias in the end, maybe even a touch of age-ism on my part... blush
  • zoglugzoglug Posts: 314Member
    I caved! I purchased the L&M course after watching a few of Steve Krenz's videos on youtube! I really liked his demeanor and his approach to the lessons. Plus it teaches you how to read music, which i am greatly interested in.

    I also picked up guitar electronics for musicians......i dont know what this could mean blush

    Cant you tell it was payday yesterday!
  • JockoJocko Posts: 7,107Member, Moderator
    Well done. Don't think you will be disappointed. Electronics for Musicians. That reminds me. I have a new set of Ironstone pick-ups sitting beside my computer to go into my Stagg. If only I had the time!
  • MegiMegi Posts: 7,208Member
    Zog, I did read Guitar Electronics For Musicians cover to cover at one point early on in my guitar-modding/building life - it is somewhat out of date, and there is stuff in there that's not hugely relevant to my needs... BUT - I came away with a much much better understanding of what goes on under the hood of an electric guitar, and lots more confidence to tackle stuff myself. It's a very good book IMO.

    And congrats on the LAMG course purchase - I wasn't trying to sell anything to anyone with this thread lol, but it seems this forum does have a way of inducing purchases... whistle It seems like an exciting course to buy to me, brilliant value if you consider all the possibilities it opens up I'd think. I've watched Steve Krenz on YT too, and he does seem very likable, and with a great relaxed way of teaching.
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