Customer Reviews

Sheets of Sound for Guitar

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Don't be put off by the cover picture, this book contains a lot of really useful information for any guitarist, not just in the jazz area, wanting to improve their technique. It certainly helped me to view the fretboard, and my picking, in different ways. It's a result of this book that I'm now quite comfortable with economy picking. In common with almost any technique book, the majority of the ideas here are probably available in other books, web pages, etc, and this book motivated me to seek out some other explanations on the web which expanded on some areaa. However, it's invaluable to have so much focussed in one book.

There is a tremendous amount of material here (over 250 pages), which may seem daunting at first, but you can dip into the bits that interest you most.

I would have liked a little more introductory explanation on picking styles, etc, and perhaps some "roadmaps" to exercises that might be particularly appropriate for specific styles. Also, be warned, this is "Intermediate to Advanced Studies". It assumes that you have a basic grasp of scales, modes, chords, and so on. I've found it useful to be also working through a more conventional book (William Leavitt, A Modern Method for Guitar, Complete), using this one for modern fingering ideas.

Most importantly, this is a book to STUDY. There are enough ideas here to keep you going for years.

I;m a recent college grad with my Bachelors, and studied classial guitar and composition. I'm currently getting my jazz chops up to speed as I'm now a professional musician and teacher. So I'm coming from a more "schooled" position, but really, anyone who can play decently will benefit from this book.
This book really blew me away. First of off, it is a great bargain. You can purchase it directly from the author at www.sheetsofsound.net if amazon is out of stock. I believe Mel Bay just brought the book into their catalog but kept the price.
For the standard price of one of the countless, medicore Technique books out there, you get an incredibly comprehensive book of arpeggios, melodic motifs, innovative pentatonics and other technical, melodic and harmonic content that will satisfy players of all genres, Rock, Classical, Metal, Country and of course, Jazz and Fusion. For those so inclined, the book really does unlock the "Sheets of Sound" Coltrane-approach to guitar. I reccomend combining it with Jimmy Bruno (who reccomends this book,) "Art of Picking" DVD and Book. The previous reviewer was correct: Mr. Zucker doesn't spend much time focusing on picking, (he does explain his personal approach which is similar to Bruno's.) He also is expecting experienced guitarists, ones who understand basic music theory and have some chops. However, this book will increase your techique, your melodic and harmonic creativity, and help you achieve a much more fluid approach to single-note playing. I consider it the "Chord Chemistry" of single-note playing, which is an incredibly high compliment. I will be working through this book for years. Than kyou Jack Zucker!

I have seen people trying to sell these books for outrageous prices. Why? They are still readily available at Jack Zuckers website. I actually bought Volumes 1 & 2 for 45.95. If you Google "Sheets Of Sound", it gives you the link, and then buy them there. I just don't know why people list things so high on here and try to rip people off. Consider me as a person looking out for others. Hope this helps all those interested in this book.

As for the review of the book itself, it is awesome. It is NOT just for people that "want to shred" as some put it. It is meant to teach you multiple things, but most importantly, the fingering and exercises are extremely helpful. I have been playing for over 20 years, and a lot of the lessons are difficult even for me, because there are things I never thought of. It's refreshing to find things that are challenging. Just take things slow, and get each example down to where you can do them without making a mistake. Another good thing to do, if at all possible, is to practice in front of a mirror, it helps you to play without looking later. Enjoy the book. Be patient with it.

I thought it was strange that, as a website that usually offers great deals, some people are selling this book for such a high price at $182... Just wanted to say that the book is closer to $30 on Jack's website.

I'm posting this to dispel some funny things I see on this page, as a help to people contemplating this book. First, the guy sells it direct from his website, which offers two advantages: First, you'll get it for a normal, more than reasonable price rather than the laughable amounts these smartases up above are asking for. And second, you'll pay the author. Think of it, isn't it nice when the guy who has actually done the work gets paid. That's one thing. Now, the other thing I wanted to mention is that he does, apparently, run out of stock now and then. When I bought it, he was out, so you could register on the waiting list (leave an email, basically), and then, when he got them, he sent emails to the registrees. So I got this email, and went ahead and paid, and got the books very soon, within a week or two, I can't remember exactly, but I remember it was totally unproblematic. Oh yeah, I did get both books (still less than a half of what these very, very smart people above are hoping you'll pay them for one). This is all I wanted to say, really; but as to the books themselves (there are two, actually, this page is about the first one), then well, books are full of speed-oriented exercises (it is not just sweep picking, or even mostly; it addresses much larger issues: he wanted to find a way to play guitar as fluidly as keyboards or keyed wind instruments allow, this book being a result of his quest); I've only worked through some of the drills there and found them untypical and intelligent, always interesting at the least, so I'm glad I have these books.

Sheets of Sound might just be my ticket to speedsville.

Like someone else said, you can find all of this stuff in a
thousand different places, other books, mags, internet etc..

But it won't be assembled like this book. This book puts it all
together in a logical order.

I dig the absolute minimal verbage, I don't want to reread the
basics of guitar again. This book shows respect for the advanced
guitarist and gets right to the point.

I've always looked for a book like this, now here it is.

A desert island book for sure.

Don't laugh, global warming. :)

Sheets of Sound for Guitar is the most formidable guide to mastering the
guitar that I have ever seen. I have been through most of the popular
books like Jimmy Bruno's "The Art of Picking", Michael Horowitz' "Gypsy
Picking", Frank Gambale's "Speed Picking", etc., but Sheets of Sound for
Guitar just contains more information and presents it in a more useable
way and for a greater variety of styles.

The best thing about it is that instead of just teaching you specific
licks or specific techniques, it gives you the knowledge and power to
create and integrate the ideas into your own style of playing. You can use
these techniques for fingerstyle, metal, chickin' pickin', fusion, jazz or
whatever.

My Hat's off to Jack.

I am a professional guitarist and guitar teacher. I just got this book and I think its great and can really improve your playing. Its also a HUGE book with many pages. I am posting this review so anyone who buys it knows that one good way to approach it is to pick the exercises that you need to improve your playing. You don't necessarily need to start from page one and work your way through to end, and you definitely don't need to do every exercise in this book. There's a wealth of knowledge here, but if you buy this book, don't let it overwhelm you - take what you need and it allow it to improve your playing, and leave the rest alone.

This is a great book, but like so many of this size (270 pages) it could be condensed to 1/5 of it's size. Every exercise is written out, often on all string combinations. Just giving the reader the intervallic formula of each exercise would provide the same info. Same with Mick Goodrick's voice leading book which could be condensed to about 10 pages.
The actual content is very helpful in getting a solid grasp of various picking techniques, sweep alternate, string skipping... Once I'm through with this book, I'll definitely buy the 2nd volume.

If just speed technique is your thing, then you might like this book. But if you prefer melodic, soulful playing, then this isn't the right book.

If you want to be shredder, then he displays some good things to work on. But if you listen to Mr. Zucker's playing on other recordings he shares you'll hear technical prowess and technique (i.e, sweeps) often just for the sake of it. In other words it doesn't always fit the tune and sound melodic.