A retrospective of Ted Greene, virtuoso solo guitarist, beloved music teacher, world-renowned author and innovator of unique music concepts for guitar. This book also includes an overview of Ted Greene's early life and musical development, plus an insightful narrative of the 13 years prior to his death
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By Mark F. Bird
Format:Paperback
I studied with Ted for quite some time off and on starting at age 18 and had the opportunity to play in improvised sessions with him dozens of times. This was during the late 60's early 70's when you could often hear him play at the Attica, a music dinner type restaurant in lower Santa Monica, as well as other venues. I remember that he was working on his solo album as well as exploring studio recording opportunities. The most impressive thing to me was that despite how proficient and advanced he was, if a beginner/intermediate guitarist showed up for a session he would encourage them and let them sit in, while providing guidance along the way. This was not so of many musicians I encountered during my professional musician days. He was just that generous.
It was therefore not a surprise to hear that he had settled into a career as mostly a teacher while still, fortunately, for us, continuing to perform here and there. Although it has been said many times before ALL of Ted's books are required for any guitarist. No matter how accomplished you might be there is something in those texts for everyone. And despite his reputation as primarily a jazz chord player he could play single note solos as well or better than any player I have ever heard no matter how famous they might be. Therefore, the single note playing books are just as valuable as the chord books. It is just a shame that he did not have time to put together a rock/folk type instructional book because he knew those styles, techniques, and solos (Hendrix, Clapton etc.) as well as his beloved Bach Chorales and jazz.
In short, you should buy this book for the insights and appreciation it will provide to this exceptional, talented, and beautifully generous individual.
Mark Bird
It was therefore not a surprise to hear that he had settled into a career as mostly a teacher while still, fortunately, for us, continuing to perform here and there. Although it has been said many times before ALL of Ted's books are required for any guitarist. No matter how accomplished you might be there is something in those texts for everyone. And despite his reputation as primarily a jazz chord player he could play single note solos as well or better than any player I have ever heard no matter how famous they might be. Therefore, the single note playing books are just as valuable as the chord books. It is just a shame that he did not have time to put together a rock/folk type instructional book because he knew those styles, techniques, and solos (Hendrix, Clapton etc.) as well as his beloved Bach Chorales and jazz.
In short, you should buy this book for the insights and appreciation it will provide to this exceptional, talented, and beautifully generous individual.
Mark Bird
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Having enjoyed studying from Ted Greene's music publications over the years, I was eager to read about the man behind the books.
'My Life with The Chord Chemist' is a real-life look into the world of a man who had a warm heart, incredible concentration and an obsessive nature when something sustained his interest. From music studies to guitars, baseball cards, VCR's, and coins etc. Ted left no stone unturned in his own personal quest for knowledge. Written with first-hand insight by his long-term partner Barbara Franklin, it beautifully answered many questions that I have pondered answers to - What was Ted like as a person? Where and how did he live and what might it be like to see and hear him play? What hours did he keep in order to accomplish all he achieved? Etc.
Although obviously a Ted Greene fan, I think this book could appeal to anyone who enjoys reading about human achievement and philanthropy - this and more supplied with a good chuckle or few along the way!
'My Life with The Chord Chemist' is a real-life look into the world of a man who had a warm heart, incredible concentration and an obsessive nature when something sustained his interest. From music studies to guitars, baseball cards, VCR's, and coins etc. Ted left no stone unturned in his own personal quest for knowledge. Written with first-hand insight by his long-term partner Barbara Franklin, it beautifully answered many questions that I have pondered answers to - What was Ted like as a person? Where and how did he live and what might it be like to see and hear him play? What hours did he keep in order to accomplish all he achieved? Etc.
Although obviously a Ted Greene fan, I think this book could appeal to anyone who enjoys reading about human achievement and philanthropy - this and more supplied with a good chuckle or few along the way!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great behind the scenes look at our modern day Sor [or perhaps Carcassi]
December 13, 2009
By Greg Clayton
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This very interesting memoir gives us a glimpse of the private life of Ted Greene, the man who detailed so much study material for guitar that has thankfully been made available to the guitar community due to the considerable efforts of his longtime companion Barbara Franklin and several close friends and students.
We learn how Ted would literally "devour" information on topics that interested him [both musical and non musical] and through this we can get an idea of how he worked to learn,digest,and organize his teaching materials to try to pass on what he learned to others. The above probably goes tenfold for what it took to get his solo guitar playing to such an awesome level.
A very instructive read for music artists and for anyone interested in the "artistic life"
We learn how Ted would literally "devour" information on topics that interested him [both musical and non musical] and through this we can get an idea of how he worked to learn,digest,and organize his teaching materials to try to pass on what he learned to others. The above probably goes tenfold for what it took to get his solo guitar playing to such an awesome level.
A very instructive read for music artists and for anyone interested in the "artistic life"
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Words are not enough...
It's been about a quarter of a century since I was introduced to 'Chord Chemistry, arguably Ted's best known book. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Don Juandre
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up!
A wonderful story about two wonderful people(the subject Ted Greene and the writer\subject Barbara Franklin as well),both sadly no more with us... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Francesco
2.0 out of 5 stars
Too bad...
I respect the great talent of ted Greene, i was expecting to discover something interesting about his musical building. Read more
Published 3 months ago by laurent lavagne
3.0 out of 5 stars
not exciting enough
The book is not as exciting as I expected. No information about the experiences with famaous musicians he worked with. It's more like a lovestory... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Sonja
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent book
This book is a labour of love, and right so! Ted Greene was a very special person; I have never met him personally :-( , but what he did for the world of guitar and guitarists is... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Thomas Brendgens-Mönkemeyer
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Read
First I must say that if you are the type that loves to learn about the personal life of the musicians you study er um' (idolize) then get this. It is not a lesson book or clinic. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Eric
5.0 out of 5 stars
Un libro imprescindible para conocer al genio.
Me alegra poder escribir acerca de este libro en español. Es una auténtica maravilla para cualquier músico o estudiante de música, en especial para... Read more
Published 16 months ago by GuitarraCreativa
5.0 out of 5 stars
A window into the mind of a genius.
I have played the guitar for over forty years, it's my passion and profession. I studied in Cleveland, Ohio with the late venerable teacher Dick Lurie at his music shop. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Blue Max
5.0 out of 5 stars
the fascinating story of Ted Greene
If you've read Chord Chemistry, or any of Ted Greene's other books, I think you'll find this book fascinating. Read more
Published on April 29, 2010 by G. Withers
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fantastic window into the life of a gifted and uniques artist
I was a student of Ted's for 20 years and loved this book. It is an intimate portrait of a dedicated artist and craftsman, in pursuit of an artistic ideal. Read more
Published on March 18, 2010 by J. March
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