Customer Reviews

The Guitar Resource: A Comprehensive Acoustic/Electric Guitar Manual - Music Theory, Tuning, Setup, Repair, Amplifiers, Electronic Effects, Ear Training, Tablature

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

 

 

This author is one who has done his homework. Although the book covers the necessary material on guitar theory for a beginning guitarist it quickly moves on by saying, " If you want to learn 100's of scales and chords then simply search for "scale" or "chord" on the Web." It was obvious from the beginning that the author has read his share of average guitar books and didn't want it to end up like most other guitar books and be endless pages of theory and boring exercises. From tuning and setup methods for getting the best sound out of your guitar - to buying the right picks and strings - to "dealing with dealers" and finding the best deal on a new guitar, this book throws in everything but the kitchen sink!

The book really cuts through the nonsense and shows what you need to take your playing to a higher level. The section on learning to play by ear is so simple I'm kicking myself for not learning this before.

The book has a good section on chords and scales, another on guitar setup and repair, and another one on buying a guitar. But this is mixed in with all sorts of very strange stuff. There is discussion of diet & nutrition, exercise, and "the cranial rhythm." There's even a warning to store up food for a Y2K disaster. Puh-leeeze.

I'll keep this book around for guitar adjustment information, but if I want material on holistic self-help, I'll look for a book on those topics, not a guitar book.

I think this book is a must for beginning guitar players. I look forward to other books from Anthony Verbic.

The reviewer from Youngstown, Ohio is in need of a wake-up call. Being someone who works on industry Y2K problems, I can safely say that storing some extra food and water is a not a bad idea and certainly doesn't deserve the sit-com "Puh-leeze" treatment from Youngstown. The strange self help stuff the Youngstown reviewer mentions is simply advice to take care of your health and that you don't have to be a walking drugstore to make good music.(Puh-leeze Youngstown, even a feeble mind like yours can absorb that one - use the force young Skywalker). A book that touches on guitar philosophy is sure to get a few namby-pamby reviewers like the one from Youngstown.

Anybody can learn the technical stuff of playing guitar. Few will learn to use it to take the guitar and the music they make to the fullest potential. This book is an excellent example on that train of thought.