Mel Bay Presents Advanced Modern Rock Guitar Improvisation [Paperback]

Jon Finn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1999

Renowned Berklee College of Music faculty guitarist Jon Finn, combines his experience, education, and stylistic versatility in this eclectic series of lessons for aspiring rock guitarists. Jon's innovative approach is unique, fun, and challenging. The book/CD set and DVD both offer a well researched original take on the use of pentatonic scales in rock improvisation. Using his "Warp Refraction Principle" which takes into account the major third tuning interval between the second and third strings, Jon presents a series of five vertical patterns applied in two-string increments throughout the fretboard. The philosophy behind this project is to present concepts and techniques as a thought process rather than simply providing a reference manual.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jon Finn has taught in the guitar department at Berklee College of Music for many years, currently holding the title of Professor. His band, “Jon Finn Group” gained worldwide acclaim from their concert tours and CD releases (Don’t Look so Serious – Legato Records 1994 and Wicked – SEP Records 1998). In 1996, Jon began writing a monthly instructional column for the nationally published guitar magazine. His band, his teaching and his published pieces have all been dedicated to the advancement of modern electric guitar. He’s performed/recorded with renowned guitarists John Petrucci (Dream Theater), Vinnie Moore, Andy Timmons and Steve Morse (Dixie Dregs), New York Voices, Collin Raye, Debbie Reynolds and a long list of other artists. Jon plays guitar with the Boston Pops Orchestra, performing in concert halls all over the world. His recording credits with them include two Grammy nominated recordings, “The Celtic Album” (1997 BMG Classics) and “The Latin Album” (1999 ! BMG Classics), three other CDs with The Pops (My Favorite Things, A Splash of Pops, Sleigh ride) and “The NFL Theme Song” (2004), He has also played in many contemporary national touring musical theater productions such as: Rent; Mamma Mia!; Aida; Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; Copacabana and many others. Check out Jon’s other books: Advanced Modern Rock Guitar Improvisation; One Guitar; Many Styles and Blues/Rock Improvisation which are also available from Mel Bay. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Mel Bay Pubns (July 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786647922
• ISBN-13: 978-0786647927
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,624,894 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Feel You are Stuck??? Get this book!!!, February 6, 2007

By 

G. Brux (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Mel Bay Presents Advanced Modern Rock Guitar Improvisation (Paperback)

Living here in Boston has given me the opportunity to study with great Berklee Professors (Tomo Fujita & Don Lappin)... never Jon though. He's too busy. I've seen Jon play in pretty small bars here in Boston and always asked myself how he does it. This book explains it all.

This book is great for guitar players who are stuck in one position. I've been there and this book summarizes the fretboard geometry very well. Jon explains his approach to moving up and down the neck without being stuck in one position. It all makes sense.

It comes with a CD and DVD. Great Book, Great Player, Very Inspiring!!!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The key to opening your Fretboard!!!, November 24, 2005

By 

D. E Stossel (Willoughby, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mel Bay Presents Advanced Modern Rock Guitar Improvisation (Paperback)

Baffled by modes ? Bored of pentatonics and need new ways to apply them ? I have been playing for 22 years and have a voluminous guitar library and this is a book I wish I would have had 10 years ago. The book's main concept is fretboard geometry. Mr. Finn establishes a system for mastering your fretboard. The book begins with a treatise on pentatonic scales and breaks the scales into scale fragments that can be systematically memorized in any key. This theory is then expanded to include modes. The logic of this book is incredible and reveals the repetitive nature of the guitar neck. This book unlocks your fretboard knowledge. I would suggest a vague knowledge of modes/pentatonics for best results but all can benefit from this book.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book, August 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Mel Bay Presents Advanced Modern Rock Guitar Improvisation (Paperback)

I have been playing the guitar for about 7 years from now. In this time I have been improvising with the pentatonic licks from the gratest rock guitar players. After I began to master them all, I just noticed that I was doing always the same thing. After I read this book, I began to learn new ways of playing the guitar. I think that I was able to play my improvisations with a pencil, now I improvise with full color. The content is presented on an easy and funny way, making it a really a great experience. It also has a CD, which has all the examples of the book and some tracks where you can improvise applying the learned lessions.