Customer Reviews

Guitar for the Absolute Beginner, Book 1 (Book and DVD)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

I bought this book/dvd based on the few reviews I saw. Once it arrived at my door, I went down to a local music store and picked up a decent guitar. I came home, popped in the dvd and started to play. The instructor goes a little fast for me on the early "play alongs", but I just hit pause and practice. I tried to teach myself how to play a guitar 30 years ago and got nowhere fast. After 2 days, and about 1 hour of playing, I am getting the hang of it and I'm not frustrated at all!

I love it. The explanation are so easy, it moves little by little, graphicaly with excercises that you can learn to our own pace.
Sooner, you could be playing guitar.

I have not played any instrument since I was a child in school. I am actually learning to play the guitar. It is amazing. This program (DVD and Book) is great. It is very basic. I like the DVD because you can learn a chord and replay it until you feel comfortable enough to move on. I am so glad I bought this set.

This is an excellent book for biginners. The DVD follows the book exactly. Ms. Mazer does an excellent job explaining the guitar parts, cords, etc. Her demonstrations are easy to follow and she gives one plenty of time to play along with her.

Content not what looking for. Expected organized step by step instuctions that would build on themselves to help daughter learn guitar. Book is 40+ pages. First 12 pages, describing parts of guitar, stance....then right into chords, lot of music. Not a lot of explanation to build foundation of fundamentals. Have quite a few puzzles, written quizes, games that are not needed and add pages without the additional benefit information we were looking for. Will be buying another book.

I gave this to someone who was completely new to the guitar. With the first pages she had already picked up hints that made learning it easier. Arrived in good time at a busy time of year.

This book took me from not knowing the first thing about playing to being able to play now! It was a great beginner book im about ready to buy the second one.