Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #16849 in Books
• Model: 695102
• Published on: 1996-10-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 64 pages

Customer Reviews

Good book for absolute beginners
This is the book I began using whilst taking my first lessons. It's a very straight forward approach and takes you string by string through the notes, slowly building up your knowledge of note reading, picking and chords. The version I got came with an audio CD and if your not taking lessons with a teacher then the CD can let you hear how the pieces should be played. This book does not propose that you can learn by yourself, and it is probably best if you have go through the exercises with a teacher so that you can learn where you technique is weak or if you have misread the musical score (most of the songs do not rely on tablature). On the whole, if you are just starting out then this would be a good place to start, but I'd recommend that you use it in conjunction with a good teacher.

for intermediate players too!
I have a learning disability, and usually the books which I understand well are quite advanced (so there's stages I have to fill in elsewhere), or they assume that you're a small child (or need to be treated like one. Even my 4-y-o daughter finds some of them patronising. This book, like only a few other music books in existance, fills that happy space in between.
I have been learning to play things for three years now, so was relieved to see that there wasn't too much detailed theory at the VERY basic level (as happens a lot). It was also assumed that adults would be learning to play, and he never once tried to patronise you.
If you want to learn some really good things quickly (I only got my mandolin for Christmas and am already quite a way through), this is the book for you. If you like lots of theory, this book may not have enough to satisfy you and you should go for something else.
Remember, this book is aimed at adults so may be a bit too complicated for someone younger