Guitar For Dummies

Front Cover
Wiley, Sep 16, 1998 - Music - 384 pages
Let’s face it – in the music world, guitars set the standard for cool. Since the 1950s, many of the greatest performers in rock ‘n’ roll, blues, and country have played the guitar. Playing electric guitar can put you out in front of a band, where you’re free to roam, sing, and make eye contact with your adoring fans. Playing acoustic guitar can make you the star of the vacation campfire sing-along or allow you to serenade that special someone. And playing any kind of guitar can bring out the music in your soul and become a valued lifetime hobby.

Guitar For Dummies delivers everything the beginning to intermediate guitarist needs. The information has been carefully crafted so that you can find exactly what you want to know about the guitar. This clearly written guide is for anyone who wants to know how to

  • Strum basic chords and simple melodies
  • Expand your range with advanced techniques
  • Play melodies without reading music
  • Choose the right guitar
  • Tune, change strings, and make simple repairs

Figure out how to play anything from simple chord progressions to smokin’ blues licks. Guitar For Dummies also covers the following topics and more:

  • Hand position and posture
  • Basic major and minor chords
  • Adding spice with basic 7th chords and barre chords
  • Playing melodies in position and in double-stops
  • Different styles including rock, blues, folk, and classical
  • Buying a guitar and accessories
  • Taking care of your guitar

Guitar For Dummies also contains a play-along audio CD that contains all 97 songs and exercises from the book. Whether you’re contemplating a career as a heavy metal superstar or you just want to strum a few folk songs for your friends, this friendly book-and-CD package makes it easy to pick up the guitar and start playing.

Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

Contents

Guitar 101
33
Turn On Tune In
41
Ready Set Not Yet Developing the Tools and Skills to Play
49
So Start Playing The Basics
61
The Easiest Way to Play Basic Major and Minor Chords
63
Playing Melodies without Reading Music
69
Adding Some Spice Basic 7th Chords
73
Beyond the Basics Starting to Sound Cool
89
Classical
235
Gearing Up A Buyers Guide
253
Perfectly Good Guitars
255
Guitar Accessories
271
Care and Feeding
287
Getting Strung Along Changing Strings
289
Staying Fit Basic Maintenance and Repairs
301
The Part of Tens
315

Up the Neck Playing Melodies in Position and in DoubleStops
91
Stretching Out Barre Chords
107
Special Articulation Making the Guitar Talk
131
A Cornucopia of Styles
157
Rock
159
Blues
187
Folk
211
10 Guitarists You Should Know
317
10 Guitars You Should Know
321
How to Read Music
325
How to Use the CD
335
Index
343
Copyright

About the author (1998)

Mark Phillips, a veteran arranger, is music editor for both Guitar and GuitarOne.

Jon Chappell, a multistyle guitarist and arranger, is technical editor at Guitar Shop and musicologist at Guitarra.

Bibliographic information