Customer Reviews

Kid's Guitar Course Complete

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the best guitar instruction out there for ages 5-9. This method teaches simplified one or two-note chords so little fingers can get used to pressing down those strings (by the end of the book, one 3-note chord is taught). A total of 7 chords are taught, as well as 12 notes on the fretboard. This method doesn't teach tab, but teaches how to read actual music. The book is fun and colorful. It teaches children's songs ("Mary Had A Little Lamb," "Farmer in the Dell," "London Bridge," "Old Macdonald," etc.) classical pieces (Franz Liszt's "Liebestraum," Beethoven's theme from the "Fifth Symphony," "1812 Overture," etc.) and popular tunes ("Yellow Rose of Texas," "Scarborough Fair," "Aura Lee," "Jingle Bells," etc.)

There are activity worksheets (written work, such as learning how to make a treble clef, quarter-note slash, quarter note rest, etc. but nothing overwhelming. They help reinforce how to read music.)

This comes with 2 enhanced CDs. You can play them on a regular CD player as a play-along during lessons/practice time, or on your computer. When played on the computer, there is bonus info, such as play-along tracks that allow you to adjust the tempo. Measures are highlighted on the screen as they are played so little ones won't lose their place. You can also select whether you want accompaniment and/or a metronome while you play. Track #1 is a helpful tuning track. CD #1 has 70 play-along tracks, and CD #2 has 91, so this gives you an idea of the number of practice exercises and actual songs your child will learn.

Available separately are the Alfred's Kid's Guitar Course Flash Cards 1&2 pack. They aren't required, but can be used for reinforcement for learning how to read music (especially good for visual learners).

I have three boys, 5, 10, & 15 years of age! I wanted a book which would be simple to understand for everyone! I also am trying to learn to play the guitar. I have been a school teacher and I find that this book is simply the best instructional book out there!
It is so easy, each page building upon the previous skill set, from chords to strings until finally I found that I am able to read music and play! This is a great book! Really, well put together! I do highly recommend this book, and I usually do not rate products unless something is wrong with it. But I thought that this book deserved acclamation because someone took the time to put the book together right!

Yes, I have been teaching guitar lessons for over twenty-five years and this is, by far, the best course I've used. My students and their parents love the songs. The children learn by note and by chord and retain it all! You really can't go wrong with this. And if you are an adult and want a simple and fast way to start to play, then use this book and CD, too! By the way, the retail price of this course is $34.95 in the stores. Always try Amazon first!

This book has made teaching my 7 year old guitar very easy and I am learning along with her.

After a few frustrating sessions with my 8 and 9 year old grand daughters I ordered this course. They really took to the material, especially the CD. The woman does an excellent job explaining and holding their attention, especially my ADHD child. It's a winner and worth the cost.

Great teaching tool for a beginner. Our nine year old daughter recieved this for Christmas with her new guitar. Her daddy used the CD to help tune the guitar. I asked our daughter how was the DVD and she said that it was alittle fast. It take interest and practice... she will get it.

My son received an electric guitar for Christmas. I definitely considered lessons with a guitar teacher, but I wanted to see if both of us could learn from this book first. I am learning, and then I teach him. This book with two CDs has been amazing! It first teaches cords, then gets you into individual strings, then two strings, etc. I was actually playing a recognizable song in no time, which motivated me to keep studying. The CDs are great, as you can hear what songs you may not be familiar with are supposed to sound like as you play along. Another big plus is that you can slow down the tempo of the songs when you are first learning them, then speed up the tempo when you learn the songs better. This is teaching me how to read music, which is something I never thought I'd be able to do, and it is doing it in a fun way. Great, great purchase that I highly recommend for anyone who knows absolutely nothing about guitars!

This book is all you need to learn the basics of playing. I knew nothing but wanted to help teach my kids the basics to find out if either of them took a liking to it before shelling out tons of money for lessons.

We all learned the basics together with this book. Easy to understand, the DVD is great and helpful.

I suggest buying a guitar tuner and music stand though. You can get decent ones fairly cheaply, and they make all the world of difference in ease and enjoyment of learning!

You are going to be so impressed with yourself and your kids progress after only a few days/weeks following this book, just go for it!

Great beginner book for some basic chords and notes for the guitar. The best part is the cds that come with it, so you can play along with the cd and know that the notes and chords sound right.
Downside, not a lot of chords or chord chart. Just a very basic and simple book, still worth getting!

It starts off simple & continues with easy to understand instructions. Pictures allow you to see what the instructions say. Good format. We like this book better than the other materials & refer back to it when confused by other books/materials.