Guitar for the Absolute Beginner, Book 1 (Book and DVD) [Color, DVD] [Paperback]

Susan Mazer (Performer)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2002

From aspiring novice to inspired guitarist in just 48 pages. Susan Mazer's warm and encouraging teaching style motivates even the most casual hobbyist to learn how to play. Quickly and easily understand how to hold and tune the guitar and play single notes and basic chords with proper technique. The companion DVD uses split screens with close-ups of the hands and synchronized music notation to ensure that you grasp every concept.

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Alfred Publishing; Pap/DVD edition (July 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0739024051
• ISBN-13: 978-0739024058
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #46,986 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

65 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice Book for the Never-Touched-a-Guitar-Before Student, November 3, 2006

By 

Loraine "Author" (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Guitar for the Absolute Beginner, Book 1 (Book and DVD) (Paperback)

This is a nice book with a video guide that shows you, up close how each lesson is performed -- a great plus for someone who knows NOTHING about playing guitar. However, if you know anything at all about playing, you will find these lessons too elementary. The lessons teach everything from tuning the guitar, what are the different parts of the guitar, and on to putting the lessons taught all together to play a simple song. My only problem with the DVD is that sometimes I had a hard time seeing exactly where her fingers were on the strings (just follow along with the lessons in the book - as you're supposed to - and you'll know what she's performing. Don't try to use the video alone.)

Being married to a musician, I have always wanted to learn to play guitar. After the first day, my husband was amazed by how much I'd learned and said I had picked it up much faster than he, which made me so proud! If you're willing to dedicate some time, strengthen your fingers and get ready for the sore fingertips (your first initiations into guitar-playing!), this makes a great "newbie" package!

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, some fluff, September 27, 2009

By 

Nicholas Dunn - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Guitar for the Absolute Beginner, Book 1 (Book and DVD) (Paperback)

This book has taught me the basics of how to do some chords and put them together into basic songs. It really doesn't discuss the fact that it's extremely painful to start playing guitar until your fingers develop calluses, which is why I've picked up guitar before and never stuck with it. I stuck through it this time and finally am gaining some facility with changing chords and strumming.

I realize the book is for beginners, but it seems to be written for children and people who have never played any instruments before and know nothing about music. There are also some fluff things like words searches and crosswords, which again, are fine for very young students but I just wasn't aware of that when I bought it.

The DVD is well produced- my one complaint is that she goes a little fast when she's playing. When first learning, switching chords is very difficult, and I would have appreciated it if there were separate, slowed down versions of the song so that I'd have time to follow along with her.

I wish I had had this book and DVD when I was younger; I'd probably be a lot further along in my guitar playing than I am now.

23 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for the Beginner!, March 16, 2006

By 

Nicholas J. Hallam - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Guitar for the Absolute Beginner, Book 1 (Book and DVD) (Paperback)

I bought this for my boyfreind to go with his new guitar and I've been using ever since. The dvd instructor adds just the extra visual touch that a beginner needs. Love it.