04
New Direction; Need Recommendations
Filed Under (General, Practice, Random, Random Thought) by Frank on 04-07-2008
Tagged Under : Books
I’ve decide to take “learning” guitar in a different direction. I’ve been thinking about my previous post and decided that I want to focus a bit more on the basics of reading music and playing sheet music. While learning to play music like Staind, Cold, Tool, etc. is what I ultimately strive for, I think that I will only get there if I build a good base by starting with basic sheet music.
Given this I was hoping to get recommendation on different books that cover introducing playing guitar. I don’t want something too simple but not too hard either. After all, I need to rebuild my hands up as it has been a while since I was playing.
Currently, I’ve got a couple of books including “Guitar for Dummies”, a book titled something like “Guitar for Beginners: The Fender Method” and a Mel Brooks [??] book. But there are a lot of different books out there, all with a different method of doing things.
If you used one and would like to recommend it, please post it’s title (and if possible author) below. I would greatly appreciate it and it would be interesting to hear what people have tried. Likewise, if you tried to use a book and it didn’t help you or it was frustrating to read/utilize please post that too. What is bad is just as important as what is good.
Thank you
Sorry I realized could have given you a direct link to the guitar page at musicked.com - here it is - enjoy!
http://www.musicked.com/Online/1-Discovery/Discovery/Guitar.htm
PS - This software also includes many levels of support.
Eugene Canteras last blog post..15 Years In the Business of Music Education
Glad to see you back, I started guitar at roughly the same time as you and I could see you were advancing fairly quickly, good for you! I found that starting a guitar group has improved my progress the most. We learn new songs that are just beyond our ability, we share singing since most of us can’t sing and strum at the same time (unless the strum is simpler). And it is a good reason to get together with friends, you would be surprised how many people toy with the idea of learning guitar, just ask around.
For sheet music, I use a Dummy’s guide to Music theory and every morning at work, I run through flash cards to learn the notes on a staff. I use a chidren’s music theory book for pencil exercises also so developing new voicings and transposition s for chords is pretty simple now to simplify arrangements. I was able to transpose “A little help from my friends” to Gmaj with some help from a musician that told me what the original key was for a tab I was using. I couldn’t have done that a few months ago so progress happens if you keep trying.
I don’t have the extra chore of creating blog content so don’t get down on yourself!
Hey there also_learning,
Thank you for the words of encouragement. I do appreciate it.
Also thank you for the tips. I should actually try to form a”Guitar Learners group”. Any suggests on how to go about it? Asking around at work doesn’t work because everyone I work with lives either far south of me or far west of me. (1 hour+).
I took a look at the Dummy’s Guide to Music theory and instead opted for “Music Reading For Guitar: The Complete Method.” It’s good, but dry.
Franks last blog post..Interesting Information… From a Intro to Saxophone Site
Here is the URL for the music theory book (it wasn’t a Dummy book but close :), http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Idiots-Guide-Music-Theory/dp/1592574378/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1216042577&sr=8-1
Here is the theory and sight reading workbook I am working through, it is useful to have access to a piano/keyboard to have a physical understanding of how scales work also.
Theory for Beginners
By Barbara Wharram. Theory. Theory. Level: Early Intermediate-Advanced (Preliminary Rudiments). Book. 206 pages. Published by The Frederick Harris Music Company. (HT21)
ISBN 9780887970061. Appropriate for elementary-school age students, this book is a favorite text for rudimentary theory instruction.
Ask or post a flyer at a local music school/store, some studios offer space for groups also. Ask people that play guitar already, their group of musical friends may be thinning out, you may get an invite? Check your local paper, there are often acoustic guitar workshops. If there isn’t one, organize one and see if it flies
The one I attended had some guitar vendors in a community hall, 3 guitar teachers (celtic, fingerstyle, improv) that offered one course each in two sessions so you could attend two out of three. They hosted a bonus concert in the evening in an old factory showcasing Beatles music (see http://www.buttonfactoryarts.ca/events_calendar.htm).
Enjoy!
Hey there again, Thank again for the links and the info. I will take a look at the “completes idiots” book. The Theory book, I may stay away from for now, but either way the info is appreciated.
Regards,
Frank