How to Play Guitar : A New Book for Everyone Interested in the Guitar [Paperback]

Roger Evans (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 1980

Detailed, nontechnical instructions, clear diagrams, and helpful professional advice cover choosing the right guitar, tricks for tuning, fundamental chords, reading music and tablature, rhythm guitar, fingerpicking, key signatures, and transposition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Roger Evans has helped nearly half a million readers learn to play an instrument on their own. His other books include How to Play Piano and How to Play Keyboards. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 124 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; 17th edition (March 15, 1980)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312396090
• ISBN-13: 978-0312396091
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,037,853 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Roger Evans has helped nearly half a million readers learn to play an instrument on their own. His other books include How to Play Piano and How to Play Keyboards.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

173 of 174 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best choice for anyone just starting--really!, August 17, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Play Guitar : A New Book for Everyone Interested in the Guitar (Paperback)

I just happened upon this book by chance when first beginning my quest for literature on guitar instruction. Simply put, I didn't want to pay for lessons from the very beginning if all I needed were some basics (holding the guitar, tuning, learning the parts of the guitar, some basic tunes and chords, etc.) to get my feet wet. I was previously intimidated by guitars and guitar playing, sure it was hopelessly complicated. Evans' easy and approachable text, very good illustrations and slow, step-by-step instructions totally changed my outlook. I've learned so much already, and I barely play four chords well! Although most of the tunes you learn early on in the book aren't necessarily "popular" ones, they get the job done. Later on in the book you learn the skills to approach any kind of music. In my opinion, it's the best bargain out there. My only suggestions would be a spiral binding and accompanying CD for future editions.

83 of 85 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For the Absolute Beginner, February 23, 2001

By 

J. Gustafson "worldtreeone" (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Play Guitar : A New Book for Everyone Interested in the Guitar (Paperback)

I wanted to learn to play guitar but had no idea where to start. I didn't even know how to change the strings on my guitar. Luckily I found this book. This book teaches you everything you need to know including how to string, tune, and hold your guitar. I learned to play chords and finger picking faster than I ever thought possible. The slow, iterative approach builds upon previous lessons which give you the skills to tackle the next lesson. A lot of books I have seen throw you right into the deep end which can be frustrating for beginners. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn how to play a guitar. If not for this book I probably would have become frustrated and quit playing before I even began.

123 of 130 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars NO TECHNICAL JARGON IN THIS BOOK!, September 8, 2003

By 

Mickey Armes (Reno, Nevada USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Play Guitar: Everything You Need to Know to Play the Guitar (Paperback)

Most how to books for "beginners" are laced with technical jargon that only someone with a working knowledge of the subject could understand. Not so with this book. I have no knowledge of the guitar and can actually understand this book. A must buy for the beginner.