I started with Pete's book, and one of the problems I had was that it was accompaniment-oriented. "Go Tell Aunt Rhody" didn't have the melody notes, except in sketchy fashion when they coincided with the pattern used for rhythm. And the tunes are unfinished. Three-quarters of a song and then you're on your own. But it did work, encouraged using the ears, and was a start.

When I got into teaching, I wanted a book that put things into the order I thought best for students (like Open G first, C tuning later), so I wrote one. Then I wrote another, based on what worked and what needed more explanation. A third book was as far as I got (I still have a few of 'em -- a few Mudcatters have them and I hope the books are helping the players). Email me at rjclayton@aol.com if you're interesed.

But Pete's was the first and the model, flaws and all. Where would any of us be without his lead?

Bob Clayton