Guitar Soloing: The Contemporary Guide to Improvisation (CD Included!) [Paperback]

Daniel Gilbert (Author), Beth Marlis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1998

A comprehensive source for mastering the art of single note, melodic improvisation. The CD includes over 30 tracks for demonstration and play-along. The topics covered include: scales, modes, arpeggios, technique and visualization exercises; rock, blues, jazz, and other styles; and sequences, phrases, and licks.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation (January 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0793581869
• ISBN-13: 978-0793581863
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #64,346 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #1 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Sheet Music & Scores > Composers > Gilbert
  • #9 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Sheet Music & Scores > Historical Period > Modern Popular
  • #9 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Sheet Music & Scores > Forms & Genres > Musicals

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Experienced Guitar Player says BUY this BOOK, November 10, 2005

By 

Server Admin while playing Guitar "It's Me" (Orange County, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Guitar Soloing: The Contemporary Guide to Improvisation (CD Included!) (Paperback)

So... I've got tons and tons of tabs for the guitar... I can play all sorts of music from Led Zeppelin to Zappa to SAntana to Yngwie to Lamb of God to NIrvana to Bach (WTF?)... just giving you a basis for my experience... I WISH I BOUGHT THIS BOOK 10 YEARS AGO... no joke.

I never took a lesson, so I always felt that I missed something... This book confirms my suspicion! So much I didn't know... Such a fool..

But the book isn't overwhelming AT ALL (until you start to get to the end of the book)... most of it shows you how to play along to blues/rock/pop. Its not like other scale books where you see the same scale 4 frets up (but it does help you understand root notes and lots of Theory).. I love theory.

The book is written by the Musicians Institute, the best music college in America. I think they know what they are doing when it comes to teaching music... I also bought the Guitar fret board Workout from MI, but it had too much busy work in it for me.. (too much writing, but I would still recommend the book)). I just want to play well, and I want to be able to improvise over ANYTHING... now, because of THIS book my playing has taken leaps and bounds (for technicality/improvisional/style and harmony)... Thanks Larry H. Parker... I mean MI.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If you really love guitar, this book is for you., November 10, 2004

By 

EM "E" (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Guitar Soloing: The Contemporary Guide to Improvisation (CD Included!) (Paperback)

Warning, this book is not for those picking up a guitar for the first time. The book focuses mainly on theory and therefore should not be used as a starting point for building dexterity.
However, once you build some dexterity, this book has a lot of information that a real guitarist needs to know. When i say real, i mean someone who knows how to actually create music as opposed to someone who knows how to repeat songs. That is what the book is for, to create music, and learning this difficult art takes time and patience, so don't rush through the chapters. Also, the keys to the riffs given are indicated and finding the right scale pattern(s) of each riff is a way of learning as opposed to having everything handed on a silver platter. This is what makes this book so effective. So if you buy this book, remember, this book requires a lot of patience, time, and dedication and is NOT for the lazy musician.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Guitar soloing: Daniel Gilbert and Beth Marlis, April 2, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Guitar Soloing: The Contemporary Guide to Improvisation (CD Included!) (Paperback)

this book is extremely valuable to learn some essential concepts of soloing on the guitar. No, it won't teach you everything you need to know playing this conplex instrument, but hey, it's a great start. If you have a basic knowledge of the guitar you can use this book to help develop an ear for music and also beef up ur chops...I don't understand the people that were doggin this book before. It is kind of hard and frustrating to get thru, I'm still working on it, but hey....welcome to the world of music, I am a long time musician and have had to work my rear off to become sucessful. This is a tool that will help! peace

Don