Customer Reviews

Beginning Rock Guitar for Kids

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

 

 

I spent about $80 on instructional videos and books to learn how to play guitar, this book is the only one that would recommend to others. Every other "beginners" book had me trying three finger cords and progressions from the start.
Frustration! This book has you playing riffs from modern rock songs string by string, one or two finger chords - you will actually playing music that sound cool, not Kindergarten sing-a-long crap. EVERY instructional for beginners should start this way. Highly recommended.

I have a friend in New Jersey whose daughter took lessons from Jimmy Brown for years and he is a great teacher and a great player, but that's not why I bought the book. I bought it because I have a daughter who is 5 and wants to rock out and there are not a lot of rock books that a 5 year old can enjoy learning from. I'm a skeptic and approached this book without bias, but have been pleasantly surprised at just how good this book/cd is. I suggest getting the edition with CD included. When my daughter started Suzuki Method classical guitar I also started guitar with her. Whether 5, 15 or 50, this book/cd is an excellent starter for learning the basics of rock guitar. I would love to see an edition with DVD as well. Hopefully there will be a part 2 which could include popular rock songs that utilize the techniques that are presented in the first book. That being said, it's a great introduction to rock playing. It includes basics of how to hold a pick, how to read TAB, how to tune, power chords, simple riffs, palm muting, accents, power chord extensions, 12 bar blues, lead playing and jamming. He introduces the student to all these techniques in simple easy to understand language with excellent exercises that are demonstrated on the accompanying cd. It's 36 pages of stuff you have to know. He takes you straight into playing rock guitar. Most kid methods have you playing "Yankie Doodle" or "Home On The Range" with either strumming or single note leads. Ain't no "Yankie Doodle" here. Just Rockin' in the style your kids hear on the radio.I'd love to see a part 2 but even without it, this is all necessary stuff and kids (big and small) can start rocking immediately.

i have been playing guitar for over 30 years and have started to teach my daughters, ages 7 and 8, how to play. this book is very simply and clearly written, the best intro book i've seen. adults would enjoy this as much as kids, especially if you have zero experience with the guitar. get this book first, and after you're finished consider moving on to another slightly more complicated beginner book such as "kids guitar course book 1" or similar.

Forty pages? Technically, yes, honestly? Several cheap photos of the guitarist ala 1970 Cheetos commercial fill out the pages. Not helpful photos of left and right hand positions, just silly shots. The few photos that are intended to illustrate are not clear. For example the before and after of how to hold a pick is ridiculous. A before shot? Really? The actual shot that would be useful has the camera in the wrong position.

There is no music instruction here.

No songs.

Only power chords, which are not even technically chords.

What the kid is supposed to come away with is vague.

Give some rhythms, some chord changes, some actual chords, if not actual songs. Save your money. What is of use here in forty pages is covered in a page or three in many other texts. Don't be seduced by the cover. This book is not rock and roll.

Although the book was not bad, I don't think it was what it claimed to be. Overall, the book stays with very simple notes a kid could play. Not much variety though. Maybe ok for kids <12 years old.

This book will give a young kid just enough to be able to get a sound or two out of an electric guitar. It's just enough to keep them from getting discouraged. That first year is where they either stick with it or sell their axe in a yard sale. With the materials in here, it is far easier for them to keep moving ahead.