Customer Reviews

Country & Blues Guitar for the Musically Hopeless with Cassette(s) and Other

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I've never taken a guitar lesson in my life but thought it would be fun to play. I messed around, learned a few chords, then someone lent me this book. In a short amount of time I sounded like I really knew what I was doing. I really enjoy playing my guitar now. I just bought my second copy of this book because I gave mine away. Worth the money just to listen to the tapes.

I always wanted to learn to play guitar, but managed to put it off for 25 years. I do not read music. It was all "magic" as far as I was concerned. Carol McComb's book got me around the barriers and into playing passable music in a remarkably short time. (Not great, mind you, but passable.) The book is also quite amusing to read by itself. McComb's narrative style makes you part of her conspiracy to create more musicians in the world. And, if nothing else, the book's clever title gives you something to hide behind. Just letting your family and friends see the title is enough to lower their expectations and remove some of the pressure you might feeling. You can go through the book's lessons at your own pace. It's written in plain English with minimal jargon. Necessary nomenclature is thoroughly and amusingly explained. And the accompanying tapes are quite good. If you've always wanted to play but could never quite crack the code of music lessons, you need this book. Enjoy.

This book was perfect for my style of learning--impatient. I have tried many times to begin learning how to play guitar, but found that beginning guitar books were too basic for me. I didn't really want to learn individual notes and to pluck out songs note by note. I wanted to play like real guitarists do! I wanted to learn chords and strumming, so I can accompany myself on songs and have fun at parties/campgrounds. This book mercifully skips the music theory and teaches what, physically, needs to be done to really play! (Theory is included in small doses in the text, and in appendixes, for the interested.) The tapes are wonderful, and logically sequenced. Carol McComb has a relaxed, easy-going style and a pleasant voice. She also is very reassuring when I find myself getting frustrated. I'm not an accomplished guitarist yet, but this book makes me feel that someday I will be one. I'm making real, tangible progress and I LOVE IT!

I have tried books galore but this one actually got you to play songs and did not have you just playing chords upon chords and trying to memorize. The book also uses good tunes that are not ancient to help you learn.

I knew nothing, repeat, NOTHING when I bought this book. I'm not kidding. I had NEVER PICKED UP A GUITAR IN MY LIFE!! Now I'm jamming like crazy. Even wrote a bunch of songs, and now I'm the star at family get togethers. Amazing results!!!

I picked up this book after reading some of the reviews on-line, loved it so much that I bought it for a friend too. As a beginning guitarist this book has been the most helpful in that it is engaging and humurous. The level is good for a person just picking up the guitar, though as stated in a few other reviews it won't cover everything that you might want to know (I have yet to find a book that does!) You'll learn some chord structures, basic strumming, drilling techniques, as well as a small repertoire of songs. The accompanying tape is great too!

Ironically enough, a few months after buying this book I began taking some group guitar classes at a local guitar shop from a woman named Carol. A few classes in and I said, "Wow, Carol sounds a lot like the woman on my book tape. Hey, wait a minute, Carol. . ."

If you're in the Palo Alto, CA area, then come take her classes too, she's a wonderful teacher and a VERY talented musician!

This is where I turned to learn the guitar. I had wanted to learn how to play the guitar for many years but never could find an engaging way of getting started without paying for lessons. I saw this book in a store somewhere, loved the text on the back cover and bought it. Ms. McComb is entertaining and engaging. This book and audio presentation sets a perfect pace for people who know nothing about a guitar. There is a little bit of music theory, but nothing intimidating. You will not be a professional musician when you are done with this course, but you certainly will have the ability to strum along to a lot of songs out there and modify a lot of others to match the knowledge that you have gained. Just as importantly, you will have the confidence and ambition to pursue further. I love this book, and I have bought it for a few others who have found it very helpful as well.

Thank you, Ms. McComb, for finally teaching me how to play the guitar!

This book covers only the very basics, some open chords and strumming patterns. You'd be disappointed, like I was, if you're looking for a primer on playing real country & blues songs. For the same amount of money, I'd get Arnie Berle's Beginning Fingerstyle Blues Guitar, which is much more substantive and more helpful if you ever want to get beyond the beginner's stage.

My experience has taught me that you must buy ten guitar books to find one that is halfway decent. Stop right here. Shop no more, and buy this book/cassette series. It makes guitar playing incredibly simple. I'm not surprised that it has sold so many copies. I can't wait for it to come out on CD. I'm always lending my copy out to new students.

I've been trying to learn to play for years, but until a friend (and musician) took pity and gave me this book I was stumped. Carol's easy-going and understanding style took away all of the frustations of the past. The format is well thought out and the audio cassettes let you know immediately if you're playing the songs correctly. The initial introduction of each song at reduced playing speed helps greatly. The basic music theory she presents help clear up many misconceptions, particularly her coverage of using the capo. I highly recommend this to any one looking for a great beginner level instruction book.