The Complete Book of Alternate Tunings (The Complete Guitar Player Series) (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"It's hard to imagine a better-written, more logically laid-out, or thorough survey of the rich spectrum of possible alternate tunings than this excellent volume." -- Guitar Player Magazine

"This guide is a must-have for anyone interested in exploring the sonic possibilities of tunings." -- Guitar School Magazine

Product Description

Seventeen of the most popular alternate tunings for guitar are explained in depth. History, how to tune, scales, chords, and songs that use the tuning are explained in each chapter. Additional chapters cover slide tunings, Hawaiian slack key tunings, and how to invent your own tuning. Also includes 40 pages of tune and artist listings that use alternate tunings.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Music Sales America (December 31, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0936799137
• ISBN-13: 978-0936799131
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 9 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #210,536 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Kick-butt referance, December 6, 1999

By	John Hall (Tacoma Wa) - See all my reviews

If you've run out of riffs or are looking for a sound that sets you apart, this is THE book. I probably wouldn't reccomend it for less than intermediate (2-3 years on gutiar) But if you're even curious about alternative tunings this book is the best resource you can find for the money, covering the most common dadgad to the obscure i.e. B'Gdf#ad'. It loses points for D.I.Y.ers in assuming a working knowladge of chord and scale theroy. You can over look that as a small trade off for the sheer volume of information and well laid out information and examples. (Pages 85-120 are nothing but lists of artists and tunings, covering Chet Atkins, Sonic Youth and Led Zepplin just for starters.) If you want Hawaiian,Celtic or Heavy Metal you can find something to make your self heard here and if you're fingerstyle folk, just lock the door behind you and take enough food for a couple of days.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A near-excellent intro, November 5, 2005

By	Anthony D Ravenscroft (Santa Fe, NM United States) - See all my reviews

I've been guitaring -- some pro, mostly for my own joy -- for 35 years. I hate "how to play" books... but this is the exception. Don't assume it'll be "the magic touch," but BUY IT, play around with it, bust up a dozen sets of strings, maybe even buy another guitar (like I did) just to leave in "weird" tuning while you experiment.

This book, honestly, will vastly expand your thinking. From Neil Young & Richard Thompson, through Sonic Youth & Soundgarden, you'll learn how to get that unique "sing" from the strings. If you make it through Adrian Legg's tunings without your head melting, let me know.

So why didn't I give it 5 stars? Well, some of it is just wrong -- & the author has no one to blame but himself. Some of the chord diagrammes are simply wrong. Some of the tunings in the Discography are incorrect. And I wouldn't have known this if Mark Hanson hadn't done such a great job of teaching me a new way to hear the tones I produce.

Again: if you're reading this, you need this book.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best reference on Alternate Tunings, August 5, 2003

By	Matthew Faulkerson "Guitarist and PC Geek" (Cuyahoga Falls, OH USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is a literal encyclopedia for alternate tunings. It contains several of the most odd types Ive seen. Page after page of different types of tunings. It also has a list of what bands have been known to use which tunings. Since new tunings are always being created by artists, the book will probably never be complete as the author states. But this one is as close as it gets!