Customer Reviews

Mel Bay Complete Flatpicking Guitar Book

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Steve Kaufman has a very large catalog of books in print across several publishers, and since some of these books are fairly expensive it is a bit daunting to find what fits your needs. Good thing is that his books are excellent, though they do serve different purposes and audiences. I think this book is a particularly good one for anyone from beginner to advanced intermediate looking to pick up classic bluegrass flatpicking technique. Steve starts out with some basic "toolbox" topics such as accompaniment etc. and moves into the nuts and bolts of creating arrangements and solos using numerous examples that are highly musical and fun to play, based on classic tunes from the bluegrass repetoire. Two things make this book really stand out, however - one is the DVD that is included. Being able to watch Steve execute even basic stuff really adds value to the package. The other is the section of the book on "Flatpickers who Influenced the Flatpickers", where Steve includes versions of classic tunes as executed by Doc Watson, Tony Rice, Norman Blake, and others. These are terrific as stylistic examples and provide some really fun additions to repetoire - jack up the tempos and they are pretty challenging for even an advanced intermediate player. Overall, this is a "best value" book from a prolific author, highly recommended.

I have a lot of studenst who like this book once they are throught the first month or so of basic playing. You'll learn chords, single line flatpicking solos, accompaniments, Carter style, Flatt runs and a whole lot more. What more could you want for general guitar playing. Well if you do want more in the bluegrass flatpicking style, Steve Kaufman has an huge array of materials to help you. If you're looking to learn Flatpicking style and you like bluegrass then Steve is a good guy to go with as you teach yourself through his books and DVDs. It will take you years to get through them all.

This book is great for people new to the genre.

Not a lot by way of tunes, you'd be better of picking up a tune book. Great for general flatpicking theory. The section at the end "Flatpickers who influence flatpickers" is worth the book's cost alone.

Great book.

This is by far the best flatpicking guitar instruction, from relative scratch to fairly advanced I have seen. If you play through this book, which should take you at least a year, you will have learnt immensely much. There are numerous short little tips which are very relevant and should be read several times. The songs are very tastefully chosen and there are many "standards". The third section is on Norman, Doc, Rice and Crary with at least three very detailed transcriptions of their songs with accompanying tips. The CD is also very good with fast and slow examples of all songs.

You should of course be able to read TAB. If you know your major scales in open position such as in open position G and C as well as some standard bluegrass rythm technique, this book will change the way you play.

In the first few pages it states; "If you can't read music....learn." Good book, after you know and understand the basics and can read music. Enough said.

I have had this bok for years and kind of ignored it. For the past 6 months I have been spending time in it. It is an incredible book and has really been helping me put my flatpicking skills all together. I am hooked on it now. It is hard to put down. You will really enjoy it if you just dedicate a little time each day to this book. I just gets more and more fun. Look out Tony Rice, here I come!

This is a great book for those already familiar with the basics of flatpicking. It's quite dense, but that makes it good value if you persevere.