Acoustic Guitar Styles [Paperback]

Larry Sandberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 19, 2002

"Acoustic Guitar Styles" introduces the most popular traditional styles for the acoustic guitar. The step-by-step approach, using a small repertoire of well-known songs, enables the student to explore various styles that can be adapted to play personal favorites. Although a basic knowledge of the guitar is assumed, even the beginner will benefit from this progressive approach.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

For many, the acoustic guitar is basic to their favorite music. For others, playing acoustic guitar is a way of reducing stress and promoting well-being. For either group, this book will be of interest. Tailoring his text to those who have mastered acoustic guitar rudiments, know a few chords, and are learning how to make changes cleanly, experienced instructor Sandberg (The Acoustic Guitar Guide) teaches more advanced solo techniques in old-time music styles (e.g., country, blues, ragtime, and bluegrass). Suggestions for practice appear throughout. While the text is clear and helpful, it is the notation, along with the accompanying CD (to which this reviewer did not have access), that best conveys the sense of how the music should sound, including the proper phrasing of passages and approaches to single-note soloing. What sets this guide apart from others are its focus on old-time music and the CD. Given that the O Brother, Where Art Thou soundtrack, which showcases American roots music, won Album of the Year at this year's Grammy Awards, this book could prove to be quite successful. Recommended. Eric C. Shoaf, Brown Univ. Lib., Providence
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

Acoustic Guitar Stylesn provides beginners with easily followed instructions and practice pieces which are real songs, not just finger exercises. Instructions are demonstrated through an accompanying CD plus both guitar tabulature and standard notation, while a variety of musical styles are probed.
–The Bookwatch, December 2002

While the text is clear and helpful, it is the notation along with the accompanying CD ... that best conveys the sense of the proper phrasing of passages and approaches to single-note soloing. What sets this guide apart from others are its focus on old-time music and the CD... Recommended.
–Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; Pap/Com edition (April 19, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415937272
• ISBN-13: 978-0415937276
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,088,102 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Self Teaching Resource for Acoustic Guitar, November 5, 2002

By 

Cole "starfishdude" (China) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Acoustic Guitar Styles (Paperback)

I originally found this book at my local library. After checking it out and working with it and the CD, I just had to buy this book! It's a keeper. I had been learning the guitar 20 some odd years ago, and wanted to pick it up again. I knew most of the basic chords, but couldn't put them into anything that sounded "musical."
This book works through a variety of techniques: hammer-ons, pull-offs, bass runs, plucking, travis picking, and carter style strumming. I love Bluegrass music, but the styles learned here can be applied to any style of music on the acustic guitar.
The songs that can be learned are pretty good too: Railroad Bill, The Cuckoo, Wildwood Flower, and several others. One neat thing is that the author plays each song in a different musical style as you learn it! There is also a short Blues section too.
I wouldn't say this is the only book to have, but it's a great one to Begin with if you are just starting out.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Add Spice to Basic Technique, May 21, 2009

By 

Dagbone - See all my reviews

This review is from: Acoustic Guitar Styles (Paperback)

Let's face it, beginning/intermediate level guitar can be a little unimpressive. You can play single note melodies, and they're kinda fun and easily recognizable, but after a while you're looking to press the envelope. You can play basic chords, and everyone who hears you play will say, "That's nice but what song was that?" In this book, Sandberg gives lots of ideas on how you can embellish a handfull of basic tunes and make them come alive. The accompanying CD is very good, and the whole package is extremely worthwile. It may not be virtuoso stuff, but it sure helped make me and my audience--the family--a lot happier!

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very fine self-teaching guide, July 8, 2002

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Acoustic Guitar Styles (Paperback)

Acoustic Guitar Styles For Beginning And Intermediate Guitarists by guitar authority and instructor Larry Sandberg is a very fine self-teaching guide featuring essential instructions as to basic chords, picking and plucking patterns, using alternating bass notes, and a variety of guitar styles such as melodic finger picking and country blues. Practice pieces (all of which are real songs) offer exercises galore to hone one's skill. A finely rendered audio CD enhanced with this staunch and useful tool for student musicians of the acoustic guitar.