How to Play Guitar: Everything You Need to Know to Play the Guitar

I have been practicing the guitar for three days now and this book has been an absolute help. I had never picked up the guitar prior to this, but I already know how to play the first couple of lines to "Ode to Joy", "Skip to my Lou" and "Tell Aunt Rhody" (I know, lame songs, but starting with these basic tunes will probably lead to greater things later. Plus it teaches you to stay on beat and switch between chords more fluidly). I now know correct posture, thumb position, how to tune and clean my guitar and I'm already beginning to play chords; G7 and C to be precise. I would absolutely recommend this book to a beginner, such as myself, and I can say that it is positively worth every penny.An addition a fair time later (added 4-26-2015):I was looking at my Amazon reviews and decided to do some followup on this book. I've been practicing guitar for awhile now, and I'm now fairly competent! I stalled with this book when it started on the theory, but that's a character flaw more than anything. After using online resources primarily for some time I still reference this book on occasion to see what it has to say. It's still a really trusty reference for me, and I'm happy with the techniques that it introduced fairly early on.Starting with a 7 chord in the initial set that it teaches is very unconventional, but I can't disagree. 7 chords are versatile and play well in large progressions, especially when used accentually. You'll look cool to the other newbs if you know a 7 chord, though I suggest you look up the more traditional "beginner chords" as well, all of which this book eventually covers.The classical positioning that is suggests is great for lead guitar (though hardly used by modern rockers) because it allows for easier finger movement up and down the board. I now use more of a hybrid style, but if I were a dedicated lead, I'd definitely stay with the suggested classical positioning (minus the knee-up on the stool, I'm talking hands here).Overall, still a five star book and a great reference. It should be found in any guitarist's library!

I've been attempting to play the guitar on and off for the past five years. During which, I've received casual instruction from friends, and have taken expensive private lessons from guitar teachers.This book is better than them all!Yes, this book is basic. It teaches guitar as if you've never come across one before: from the parts of a guitar, to how to position your hands, to how to purchase your first guitar, and how to keep your nails before playing. It also teaches how to read sheet music and tabs, and offers advice on how to practice (a little each day, never in front of others). This might be a negative for those who already know these things (in which case, 20% of the book isn't useful to you), but I thought I knew these things only to discover my form was off (e.g. position the strumming hand slightly behind the sound hole) and that I should learn to play with my fingers before using a guitar pick.This book is incredibly comprehensive, with one lesson building on the next. You'll learn basic and barre chords, brush stroking, 3 types of finger picking, and a little bit about hammer ons, pull offs, note bends, and harmonics. What's more, you'll learn how to take care of your guitar (ex. what it means if there are buzzing noises; how to travel with your guitar).My only tiny complaint is that there are a few exercises with songs I've never heard of, so there was no way to know whether or not I was playing them correctly (ex. Tum Balalaika - Yiddish Folk Song, or Early One Morning- English Folk Song; Yankee Doodle I knew).If you're a beginner like me with minimal exposure to guitar playing and music theory, this book is for you. Certainly use this before taking lessons (which, from personal experience, is a waste of money until you can't go any further on your own).Thanks to this book, I am currently at the height of my guitar playing prowess. I will be going back to it for a long time.

This book helped me out within five minutes of opening it. I have no time in my life for taking guitar lessons so I had been using the internet as a resource for learning to play as well as another book that I have. I had some basic skills, two scales, and a few chords in my arsenal but had been struggling mightily forming the C major chord. I was getting frustrated and thinking maybe my hands were too small and my fingers too fat to play this basic chord (and more complicated ones as well). One look at the drawing (from the player's perspective- rather than the front of the fretboard- of the left hand fingering of C major and I realized that I was going about it all wrong. My wrist angle was too perpendicular. I copied the drawing, and presto- C major. So I was quickly encouraged again.There is nothing flashy about this book, but I have been having FUN going through it- which is pretty important when practicing and the whole point of playing the guitar I think. Rather than just show you where the notes are on the fretboard (which it does in the back as a reference) you learn them by playing simple songs like Beethoven's Ode To Joy. Very cool and I'm already impressing my wife even though it is pretty easy. I also like that it teaches you to read sheet music which I can't wait to learn (once I master the skills deemed necessary to get to that point). So buy this cheap book and have fun!

I had originally found this book at a thrift store. The first book was defective , 35 pages were printed twice but it had good info in it and am using it to relearn the guitar. I saw this copy on Amazon was an updated version so I purchased it. It doesn't have the same problem as the first copy and like this book with songs and teaching style those who want be reacquainted or just beginning to learn the guitar. I highly recommended it.

This book by Roger Evans has been around a long time, and it is complete to learn how to play, however there are two very important questions you should ask yourself. This book will not answer them for you.Roger does explain briefly on what guitar you should have to begin playing. As I understand about 95 percent of the people who learn to play guitar are right handed, but what about that remaining 5 percent? Roger briefly describes this on the very last page of his book. When I was 12, I failed playing a right handed instrument only cause my control hand was on the finger board instead picking the strings, it feels completely unnatural, and wrong for me to play this way.First question: When you play air guitar, what hand do you use to pick the strings?This is so important, that most people will quit learning how to play guitar after a few short lessons. Whatever hand you use will determine what type of guitar you need to play, and if your like me your going to pay a premium for a Left Handed guitar.The formal name is "South Paw" and there are only a select few companies in the world who make them. My dream guitar I wanted is not left handed, they don't make them. I'm glad I waited to find this out first before making a big mistake on buying the guitar.Second question: What kind of guitar do you most desire to play, Electric or Acoustic?This is obvious, however there are downsides for both types. The electric guitar will cost you more cause you need an amplifier, without it, it takes the fun out of playing. The electric guitar is also much heavier, and may not be suited younger students. The acoustic guitar is much lighter but it can be awkward to hold in your lap. When I was 12 I could barely see over the body to pick the strings. The guitar I given was full size and not 3/4 or 1/2 size as it should of been, but back in 70's there wasn't really any guitars for children, other then a guitar from Sears, and that didn't suite me either since I was left handed. The acoustic guitar, the wood is prone to cracking, so you should have a good secure case with a humidifier. It tends to be much more fragile, so it's really important on where you store your guitar.So there you have it, if you know the answer to these questions and Rogers book you should be off to a great start.

Nice book for sure, I haven't really used it much as I got another one the same time and it is much easier to follow, but I know as time goes on I'll use it. It's a little more advanced or at least I think it is.

This book is OK but Guitar for Dummies is better. This one does not have real music for the songs, only the guitar stuff, so if you don't know the song already it is hard to sing along.

I was very impressed with the simplicity of this book. Anything that I was having trouble with as a beginner is excellently explained with diagrams and common pitfalls. The only qualm I have is that some of the songs are slightly antiquated and obscure so it might not appeal greatly to younger students. All in all, this book definitely deserves the reputation it has as one of the best instructional guitar books out there!

I love the book, very helpful!The transaction was smooth very fast shipping, I was expecting it to be a lot longer.I recommend this seller to everyoneand the book to anyone who wish to learn to play guitar from scratch!