Customer Reviews

Progressive Complete Learn to Play Blues Guitar Manual

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

 

 

Let me tell you a little about my musical background before I talk about the specifics of this book. I'm forty years old and have been involved in music my whole life (singing and playing piano and french horn), but I am new to guitar. I bought my first guitar about five months ago and I've been trying to work on a balanced approach: basic chords, classical, and blues.

This book had been sitting on my shelf for a few weeks, but I figured I should get it out and try it. I was able to skim the first few lessons on note reading and rhythm, just playing each exercise a couple of times since I still need very basic practice. I'm sure folks who are new to music reading would need to spend a few weeks on that portion, but it is all explained fairly clearly and the author gives some good practice material. I'm now practicing the material in lessons 8-11. What I enjoy is that the exercises get you playing a variety of rhythms, solos, and riffs which are not too difficult to get started on. I really should probably slow down and practice each portion thoroughly, but it's just been so much fun to read and try out the material.

I would imagine if you are already a very experienced guitarist, particularly in rock/blues that there won't be enough to keep you interested in the first half of the book, but for those who are new to guitar, this book seems like a great intro.

I have several of this publishers stuff. All good. This is an excellent book / cd package for beginners to intermediate players that want to learn the blues.

I have purchased ten or so guitar and bass guitar method books from this publisher since '85 and I waited several months for Amazon to finially get this book in, I guess I was one of the first to order it.

I give the book 2 stars because Peter Gelling put together a comprehensive text. However, much of it was taken from his earlier works -1 star. Gelling teaches the CAGED method for those guitarists who care. If you don't know what the CAGED system is buy the Book, "Fretboard Logic Vol. 1&2" to find out it is cheap.

There are 2 CD's with musical examples included and their are several examples under each number given as a title on the CD (some CD formats will only allow you to go up to 99), There should be 5 or 6 CDs with this book instead of all of the info put into two as it is very difficult to use so -2 more stars.

Blues You Can Use is a much better buy than Peter Gelling's "Blues Guitar Manual" IMHO.

Unless you have examined this book in person, there's just not enough information here to make you want to buy it. Apparently this does come with a CD or two, though you have to examine this ad very closely to realize that.

If you are a beginning guitar player wishing to learn the blues, maybe there's a better chance that you MIGHT learn something from this book (other than not to waste money on an instruction book you haven't examined, of course). But as an experienced guitar player, there's next to no information for me to determine whether it holds any value for me.

NEXT!