Picture Chord Encyclopedia: Photos & Diagrams for Over 2,600 Guitar Chords [Paperback]

Hal Leonard Corp. (Creator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2000

The most comprehensive guitar chord resource ever! Beginning with helpful notes on how to use the book, how to choose the best voicings and how to construct chords, this extensive, 272-page source for all playing styles and levels features five easy-to-play voicings of 44 chord qualities for each of the twelve musical keys - 2,640 chords in all! For each, there is a clearly illustrated chord frame, as well as an actual photo of the chord being played! Includes info on basic fingering principles, open chords and barre chords, partial chords and broken-set forms, and more. Great for all guitarists!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Founded in 1947, Hal Leonard Corporation has become the worlds largest print music publisher, representing some of the greatest songwriters and artists of all time. We are proud to publish titles of interest to all musicians as well as music lovers, from songbooks and instructional titles to artist biographies and instrument price guides to books about the music industry and all the performing arts.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Hal Leonard Corporation (February 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0634015680
• ISBN-13: 978-0793584918
• ASIN: 0793584914
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,331,877 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Forget the Grimoires.... HERE'S the Real Deal!, November 6, 2006

By 

Gregory Bravo (Buffalo, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Picture Chord Encyclopedia: Photos & Diagrams for Over 2,600 Guitar Chords (Paperback)

This book is just about perfect! After buying grimoires, chord charts and all other manner of paraphernalia, I finally found EXACTLY what I was looking for in this book. For the basic modern guitarist, this is all you need. What more can I say?

Oh, OK, fine, here are the details:

There is a six-page introduction to the book which describes how to use the book (um, you have to be an idiot not to understand how to use the book, but just in case!); it also discusses briefly how to choose the best voicings, how to "read" chords, what all the voodoo symbology in chords actually MEANS (like you'll find out that "C+" is not just a computer language!), how to assemble each chord type (ie. "minor" means "first-flatted third-fifth"), and what an "inversion" means. This introduction is very clear, well thought-out, and only provides essential and useful information. BUT, this is not the meat of the book.

The main part of the book consists of 264 pages of chords! Each very large page is divided vertically in half so that only two chords appear on each page. Each chord is given by its symbol at the top of the page in large type, below which is the English translation. Below that is the chord written out on a G-clef in standard music notation, with each note labeled and the root note labeled. Below this are five separate voicings for that chord. Each voicing is given in two separate ways: there is a large black and white photograph of a hand playing that chord; to the right of that is a six by six grid which sort of looks like you're looking down on the fretboard of a guitar. On this grid are black dots representing which frets and which strings you press down, along with the suggested fingering for that chord. Each note is labeled. The five voicings progress down the neck, allowing you to play that chord essentially anywhere you need to on the neck. These diagrams and pictures are BIG so you won't have to do a lot of squinting. Perfect size type, and all the information you will need.

There are 44 separate chords given, for each of the 12 keys, with five chords voicings given for each chord. (For those of you counting at home, that is 2640 separate chords!) These 44 chords range from the basic major and minor chords that every beginner learns, to the esoteric stuff that you'll probably never need unless you play jazz (like Cmaj7#11 and C13sus4.)

The book is well thought-out, planned, and executed, the perfect size and shape, and with a wealth of information--- but not TOO much information--which is a problem I was having with some of the grimoires. (Now, don't get me wrong. The grimoires are ALSO essential once you've reached a certain level. However, for the day-to-day guitar player, they are too complicated overkill.)

In summary, until you start playing stuff like Wes Montgomery, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Frank Zappa or Robert Fripp, this book is all you will ever need!!!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Book But Not Kindle Friendly, February 7, 2010

By 

R. Williams "Young Stalin" (Any Town USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Picture Chord Encyclopedia: Photos & Diagrams for Over 2,600 Guitar Chords (Kindle Edition)

I bought this book (Kindle Edition), it was OK. The pictures were way way too small to see, even at the largest font setting. The good news is that Amazon refunded my money within the hour (great great customer service)A+. It's great book (if you get the "analog" version0 i.e. actual printed book ;)

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for self learning beginners, January 21, 2009

By 

D. S. (ABQ, NM) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Picture Chord Encyclopedia: Photos & Diagrams for Over 2,600 Guitar Chords (Paperback)

I bought this book for my son, he is 11 years old. A year ago he joined the school's band, he played the clarenet, he did not enjoyed it. After 1 semester of it, he quit. Then he asked me if he can take guitar lessons. I wasn't so sure if he really like the instrument, so I made a deal with him. He could have the lessons after he learns how to play the basic stuff on his own. One of his wish list for Christmas was this book. He was so happy with it, because the photos and instructions were very clear. It shows him "how-to" find chords, etc,step by step. If my 11 year old son can do it, anybody can. I highly recommend this book.