Best Book For Learnig Guitar ?

Subject: Best Book For Learnig Guitar ?
From: GUEST,Nick
Date: 22 Mar 02 - 09:29 PM

After a year and a half of pennywhistling, I went and bought a guitar. So what is the best book for a beginner? I am looking to learn folksy/celtic type music for the most part, Stairway to Heaven is not what I am looking for. P.S. I cant read music either!

Any sugjestions.

N

Subject: RE: Best Book For Learnig Guitar ?
From: 53
Date: 22 Mar 02 - 10:28 PM

Look for the Mel Bay beginner books. They will give you a very good start on the guitar.

Subject: RE: Best Book For Learnig Guitar ?
From: Mark Clark
Date: 22 Mar 02 - 10:33 PM

Nick, Check the newcomer's guide at the top of the thread list. You should be able to find a great deal of material intended to help the begining guitarist, including book suggestions.

Having said that, my suggestion is that you buy two books: one with chord diagrams and fingering examples and another with lyrics and chord names for songs already familiar to you. Then just dig in a work out some songs. Once you're comfortable with some basic chords, smooth and up to speed, find a teacher who plays in the styles you most admire.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: Best Book For Learnig Guitar ?
From: bflat
Date: 22 Mar 02 - 11:50 PM

Before I took formal lessons on the guitar, I went to several libraries and borrowed videos for beginners. There are also several produced by various performers available from their wesites. I suggest Hap Traum for his teaching videos, CDs and books. There is no best unless you decide what you want to play and how. By that I mean, the style; genre and type of guitar etc. I personally think learning the classical guitar prepares you the best but that is MHO. Luck to you.

Ellen

Subject: RE: Best Book For Learnig Guitar ?
From: IanC
Date: 25 Mar 02 - 04:03 AM

Mark

Try Guitars in the Instruments section of the Basic Folk Library PermaThread.

All books recommended by people at Mudcat!

Cheers!
Ian

Subject: RE: Best Book For Learnig Guitar ?
From: Phil Cooper
Date: 25 Mar 02 - 03:52 PM

Mark, try Julie Henigan's DADGAD Book on Mel Bay. Might be a bit advanced for a beginner, but it would have good tips on playing in the celtic style, that you like. I agree that a book with songs and tunes you know, with chord shapes would be a big help.

Subject: RE: Best Book For Learnig Guitar ?
From: Mark Clark
Date: 25 Mar 02 - 06:48 PM

Phil & Ian, Thanks for the tips but I think it was GUEST,Nick who was looking for a book. I hope I don't sound like a beginner... but then beauty is in the eye, don'tcha know.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: Best Book For Learnig Guitar ?
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 25 Mar 02 - 08:47 PM

I got a real kick-start from Carol McComb's "Country and Blues Guitar for the Musically Hopeless" which is a book and 2-cassette set. Very, very good basic information and well done with her easy manner and simple approach. I especially like the charts of bass runs for each key.