Advanced Guitar Methods
If you already have a pretty good grasp of the guitar, know a few songs by memory & can play them up to speed but would like to grow in knowlege and ability, then this is your next steps. Now, as to reading, you do not have to read at this level but I list it in case you want the best out there or want to be a session guitarist. The other listings I believe every guitarist should own & work thru to some degree.
Music Reading
- OK, if you can read all 3 books in Hal Leonards' Guitar Method Complete Edition then you can move to Berkelee Press' "A Modern Method For Guitar". Notice that I've broken the books down into 3 seperate volumes Vs the bound 3 Volume book. The reason for this is you really ought to get the DVD ROM version that accompanies Vol. I...its 14hrs of instruction from Berklee College. Volume 2 is available with CD.
So click on the book & it will provide more info & you can purchase it if you like. "This money-saving value pack includes Volume 1 of this practical, comprehensive method book (the basic text for the guitar program at the world-famous Berklee College of Music) PLUS a matching DVD-ROM featuring 14 complete lessons with Larry Baione, chair of Berklee's guitar department. Owning this pack is like having access to a year's worth of private guitar lessons at Berklee!"
Here's Volume 2 w/CD. This covers reading the entire fretboard and is not for the faint of heart!
Now available in a book/CD pack! The William Leavitt guitar method, used as the basic text for the Berklee College of Music guitar program, has stood the test of time and earned a vast and loyal following of guitar students and instructors. After mastering the basics from Volume 1, this intermediate-level book continues and builds upon the study of melody, scales, arpeggios and chords, covering the entire fingerboard. This volume also addresses: intervals, chord voicings, improvisation, rhythm-guitar techniques, play-along duets and more. So click on the book & it will take you to the checkout.
Here's Volume 3 This is the 3rd and final volume.
Leavitt's practical, comprehensive method is used as the basic text for Berklee's guitar program. After mastering the fundamentals from Volumes 1 and 2, guitarists will be ready to take their skills to a more challenging level. This book teaches: techniques relating to scales, arpeggios, rhythm guitar, chord/scale relationships, chord construction and voicings, tips for advanced playing, and more. So click on the book & it will take you to the checkout.
Music / Guitar Theory
- OK, as to understanding the Guitar & all the Theory both from a playing perspective & the concepts:
Guitarists of all levels will find a wealth of practical music knowledge in this special book and CD package. Veteran guitarist and author Tom Kolb dispels the mysteries of music theory using plain and simple terms and diagrams. The accompanying CD provides 94 tracks of music examples, scales, modes, chords, ear training, and much more!. Includes "tab" tablature notation. So click on the book & it will take you to the checkout.
Untangle the mysterious regions of the guitar fretboard and unlock your potential. Fretboard Mastery familiarizes you with all the shapes you need to know by applying them in real musical examples, thereby reinforcing and reaffirming your newfound knowledge. The result is a much higher level of comprehension and retention. Includes "tab" tablature notation.
CAGED System
- Most of you have probably heard of the CAGED sequence as to how the 5 open chords can become moveable bar chords in a standard tuned guitar. This is valuable as it maps out the fretboard for you. Once you understand how the chords work then you are able to integrate the 5 scale finger patterns. Usually you will start with the minor pentatonic then the major pentatonic and finally the major scale and its seven modes. Here are the resources I like along with the Blues You Can Use series which is excellent in teaching how to play all over the fretboard.
Mel Bay Modern Guitar Method Expanded Edition Vol. 1-7 Book/CD Package - This is similar to the Berklee series in depth but covers things from a different view. This is an excellent way to purchase this outstanding library of 7 volumes!
