Customer Reviews

The BEAD Method of Fretboard Mastery

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I first picked up this book it looked so technical. Then I began to read it and the basic premise hit me like a ton of bricks. Robert Dietz uses the Circle of Fifths in a way I have never seen before. First he will show you a simple way to instantly identify the notes on your guitar following the circle. This has facilitated my reading skills very well. Then he shows you how by knowing this information you can just as easily identify the triad chords and scales. The rest of the information that follows builds on these skills and tie into a well formed method for finding harmonized and altered chords, and modes. The section on modes breaks them down into basic forms that follow the BEAD pattern so that you can identify the modes as well. I wish I had this book when I started. In the last weeks it has improved my knowlege of the guitar neck. I've been playing for about four years and I've struggled with all the notes till now. I highly recommend this book.

This book completely changed the way I looked at playing guitar. I've been "playing at guitar" for most of my life. Most of everything that I got right occured purely by accident, or trial and error. The BEAD guitar method lays out the guitar fretboard in a simple and easy-to-understand way. Finally, I could understand the realtionship each string has to each other, and how the entire fretboard actually works in a logical manner. This is not an instant cure for someone who wants to play like Eric Clapton in 15 minutes. It does explain the relationship between strings and frets in a way that will have you constructing chords and lead patterns, with understanding, in a very short time. I wish I had studied this book when I was 16 years old. It provides more than just repeating patterns and shapes. The BEAD method maps the fretboard in simple, easy-to-understand lessons that build upon each other. It's written in a fun style as though the author were actually sitting down with you personally. For me, this book is the equivalent of the Rosetta Stone because it unlocks the "secrets" of the guitar fretboard. Even great guitarists who actually understand this stuff, usually can't explain it to someone else in a way that makes sense. That's the gift of Robert L. Dietz. He knows the information and, more importantly, is able to share it in a way that allows an average guy, like me, to finally understand how and why the guitar is set up the way it is. I recommend The BEAD method to anyone who wants a functional understanding of how to play guitar. I require it of every student (ages 10 to 67) that I teach, and have given it as a gift to other guitarists (especially those I play with). You cannot go wrong with this book. You will positively love it and, like me, you'll be saying, "Where has this book been all my life?" Look, you have invested thousands of dollars in guitars, cases, amps and effects. Why not spend a small amount on the one method that will allow you the understanding and ability to creatively play for the rest of your life? The BEAD method is not just for those who've been struggling for years. If you're thinking of buying someone their first guitar - DON'T, unless you also get them this book. They will thank you, and you (I promise) will be so glad you did.

I purchased this book in hopes of finding a tool to teach the guitar fingerboard easily to my student. I found that it is easy to read and understand and will help anyone who wants a system to help learn all the notes on the neck, transposing keys, moving chord fingerings, etc. I would recommend this for the first time learner and for anyone who is reviewing what they've learned in the past. It is a good tool for successfully mastering the fingerboard.

If you are learning by tablature, this book may not be as helpful as it would be if you are learning to play the guitar using musical theory and are a visual learner. I've used other methods, such as "Fret Board Logic", and numerous articles from websites, but "BEAD Method" made it click for me. I can honestly say, I now know the notes on the guitar fret board. Moreover, this publication helped me better visualize the "CAGED" method of learning the major, minor and pentatonic scales.

I have been trying (without success) for years to "memorize" the fretboard. In my opinion, the BEAD method is by far the best and simplest system that I know of to acquaint a guitarist with ALL of the notes on the guitar. I am now not just memorizing but finally UNDERSTANDING the layout of the fretboard. Highly recommend for guitar enthusiasts of every skill level.

for all of us wannabe classical guitar players this book is wonderful. it explains what you need to know in elementary terms and easily absorbable. you have to have a sponge like mind to play classical guitar and this book really motivates.

has quite a few mistakes and errors. It would have been nice if a list of corrections had come with it.

The author is very knowledgeable and has intended to provide the reader with a wealth of information; however, I must comment on the final product that was released into the market.

All throughout the book, there are multiple errors which definitely could guide a student in the wrong direction or even worse have him/her lose interest with this beautiful instrument.

For example, in Chapter 5-Minor Scales, the third paragraph states that the reader is looking at the "C" Aeolian mode when in fact he/she is looking at the "A" Aeloian mode. Also, on page 28 under the title 5.2 Harmonic Minor Scale, the third diagram down shows and compares the Harmonic minor scale with the previous diagram, the natural minor scale. Between the VI and VII# steps, the Harmonic minor scale is stating a "Two Steps" separation when in actuality it is a "one & one half" steps separation. Also on the same page under title 5.3 Melodic Minor Scale, the diagram shows the VI# note as "F" when it should be "F" sharp,(F#). There are many errors similiar to the ones I have mentioned, far too many for me to list here.

Other reviewers have also commented on the errors and mentioned something about a later edition/version of this book. All I see listed is the version that's presented to me on Amazon's website. So, I'm not sure where to find the later edition.

My hat's off to Robert Luther Dietz for his commendable intentions to educate musicians; however, his editors and proofreaders need to exercise caution when carrying out their jobs to ensure an outstanding and invaluable final product for their readers.

Sincerely,
John H.

Wish I had bought this book a long time ago. The author presents concepts in ways that are "fresh" to me, and I am finally grasping some concepts that I have always had a "mental block" on.

The Revised Version is now back and available on Amazon.

The BEAD Method of Fretboard Mastery REVISED

Bob Dietz