Customer Reviews

Beginning Blues Guitar

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I bought this title as a teaching tool for a beginner, but I wouldn't give it to a beginner it would just fustrate them. The style of the book it terrible and the teaching methods are the worst I've ever seen. It isn't a good way to learn to play the blues.

Then I burned it. Think twice before buying it

I bought this book with the thought that it was for beginner's (never judge a book by it's cover). Whoever put this book together did not put themself in the readers shoes. Example on the bottom of page 2 "Brush down with thumb on each cord or slash, or slash...Brush down twice with the thumb on each cord or slash, for a "ba-bump, ba-bump" rhythm".

What the hay is a slash? I as an intermediate player have no clue. There is not even an introduction in this book. I tried to play along with the CD and was left in the dust on the first song.

The whole book is the same three or four songs over and over and over and over again, but it's only 48 pages. A rip off to put it mildly. Take my advice, save your money and never buy Mel Bay products.

Okay, so the title is deceptive -- it's for folk guitarists who want to learn some interesting blues techniques. And it's dated, certainly though understandably, since it first came out in 1964. But I still have found it one of the best books for introducing specific blues techniques in a way that allowed me to internalize them and add them to my bag of tricks. It's got a lot crammed into 64 pages, so you have to be patient in mastering each song/technique, but it really pays off.

Better yet is Silverman's Beginning Folk Guitar book from the same time. Don't be daunted!