Exciting Concepts For Blues Guitar Soloing (Book&CD) [Plastic Comb]

Barry Levenson (Author), Andrew D. Gordon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 12, 1994

Exciting Concepts for Blues Guitar Soloing by Barry Levenson, is an exciting Blues guitar method (with both music notation and tablature) that explores the techniques found in great Blues soloing. The 14 solos contained in this book comprise some of the greatest "licks" in blues guitar playing. The solos include the playing styles of B.B. King, Buddy Guy, T-Bone Walker, Stevie Ray Vaughan & Hubert Sumlin. The book also comes with a detailed text that analyzes each solo in depth and provides today's Blues guitar improviser with all the tools needed for creating their own melodic and harmonic solos. The book gives insight into such concepts as: phrasing, outlining chord structure, target notes, bending techniques, advanced position playing and motific development. The CD is recorded with rhythm backing tracks with and without the solo. Barry has released his own CD called "Heart To Hand". So many people seem to take a lot of time to nurture their chops carefully to bring themselves to the precipice of being able to really blow and have fun, but then for whatever reason can't get past the blues box thing, and end up constantly repeating themselves, bored with their playing, and don't continue to grow as improvisers.

Product Details

• Plastic Comb: 62 pages
• Publisher: A.D.G. Productions; Bk/CD edition (August 12, 1994)
• ISBN-10: 1882146328
• ISBN-13: 978-1882146321
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #983,080 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the most useful books I've used, August 25, 2005

By 

Eddie - See all my reviews

This review is from: Exciting Concepts For Blues Guitar Soloing (Book&CD) (Plastic Comb)

Without a doubt, Barry Levenson's book is one of my favorites books for improving my guitar playing. The book is deceivingly simple. It consists of 14 very well crafted blues solos.

The solos are presented on the CD, and the CD also contains the backing tracks without the lead guitar so that the reader can practice playing the solos. Each solo is 12-bars long (or short :-) )

One of the things that makes the book a great tool is that the solos are explained bar by bar, with Barry providing a brief introduction, information on the different techniques he's using (e.g., vibrato, rakes, bends, slides, etc.), as well as explanations regarding his choice of notes.

I use the tab as a guide, but end up relying more on my ear. I also adapt the solos to fit the sounds I'm after. For example, instead of sliding to a minor 3rd on the first string, I often choose to bend up to it. The effect is slightly different.

Another thing to consider is that while it may be easy to play the 14 solos, the real benefit of this book IMO is that I have started to think more about note choice, and can visualize my target notes on the fingerboard more easily now. Just learning and playing the solos is not as beneficial to the student.

I'm halfway through the book, and one thing I have noticed is that I enjoy going back to each of the previous solos I have learned. I play each a couple of times while thinking about Barry's explanations, and then move on to the next. This has made my process slower, but I'm not complaining, I'm actually thoroughly enjoying this book. An additional benefit is that this "thinking" approach can be transferred into any style of music.

Highly recommended to the advanced beginner, intermediate, and advanced guitarist who wants to bring their playing to a higher level. For those looking into flashier playing, look elsewhere. This one is more about taste and maturity. Highly recommended.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting Concepts is Right, March 8, 2006

By 

Bill M. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Exciting Concepts For Blues Guitar Soloing (Book&CD) (Plastic Comb)

Barry's book has been a perfect choice to start me down the road of not just learning Blues guitar techniques, but to get me thinking about and trying some improvisation (the backing tracks on the CD are great for this). The solo's Barry composed for this book are great fun to play and have kept me in front of the amp practicing even when my poor fingers said stop. The solos contain a lot of "building-blocks" that you can leverage against in your own improvisations. (Now if I can only get some vibrato on top of those string bends).

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Money well spent, February 28, 2006

By 

Ron (Alaska) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Exciting Concepts For Blues Guitar Soloing (Book&CD) (Plastic Comb)

Have bought quite a few books and dvd's that should have been avoided. They'll sell a dvd lacking anything resembling a book for reference. Levenson did a good job with this one; 60 pages of licks/solos tabbed out. I find myself using the book to improve technique while I play along with cd. Great book for beginners. I wish I was this satisfied with all guitar books/dvd's I have bought off amazon.