Guitar for Dummies

Admittedly, I may have rounded up this rating if I didn't read The Idiot's Guide to Guitar Playing first. Reading them one after the other makes it hard to review them beyond comparing and contrasting.

Guitar For Dummies seems to be designed with the same audience in mind as most YouTube beginner guitar tutorials. It's relatively understandable and mostly focused on strumming songs in popular American and British rock and country music, which is likely what the average American beginner guitar player wants in their learning experience. Music notation is in the appendix rather than the main book--standard notation is often seem as an annoying obstacle on the way to actually playing. Most techniques are relevant to rock and show more country--techniques for less-popular genres were left out or briefly and ineffectively mentioned in a later chapters on folk, classical, and jazz. Not to make fun of the stereotype, but this is for the ol' fast and lazy American approach. Embrace it if that's what'll motivate you. I personally prefer the classical emphasis of the Idiot's Guide alternative. That said, I always enjoy picking up options in both series for kicks and catch whatever the other left out.

I would say the Idiot's Guide and Dummies have a 50% overlap in this case, so you definitely can't go wrong with trying either. Dummies is more mainstream genre and dummed down (of course!), whereas Idiot's is more nerdy, frankly. Wording wise, I have found the Dummies to try too hard to spell things out like a casually-spoken textbook while Idiot's has this more overarching understanding, which I tend to learn better from. Both books also use an almost completely different set of practice songs, furthering the fun of studying both. I just want it known that both are good books, but for my own style the Idiot's Guide shines and the Dummies was an expansion of content. show less

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 show more 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. show less

Guitar For DUMMIES, 2nd Edition VS The Complete Idiots Guide To Guitar

I found the Guitar For Dummies to be more lighthearted, while The Complete Idiot's Guide To Guitar to be worded more serious and to the point. The Complete Idiot's Guide felt more like my old guitar teacher when I was a child, an old fart that made me play Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star a hundred times before he thought I had it right. Thank Goodness he was a sweet 70-year old, because it was creepy enough as it was, being in that little room with the dark paneling in that cellar of that quaint music store. As this older gentleman taught me how to tap my foot and strum my cheap wooden guitar that my father had purchased for me in the guitar shop above, I had great day show more dreams. In other words he bored me to death, yet he could have made a better effort at keeping my attention had he at least told me some funny stories, even if they were made up. Maybe then I would not have been day dreaming that I was on a beach splashing through the waves of salty sea water and collecting seashells and would have learned something. Maybe I would have become the next Johnny Rodriguez, who was a cousin of my fathers when I was a child, who actually had his own record albums then. Johnny Rodriguez came to visit one summer and that was it, that next week I was at the music store with my dad. God Bless his heart!

I really liked how the CD that came with Guitar for Dummies contains "Tuning" for your guitar right on Track 1. Track 1 that is perfect for someone like me who loses interest quickly. In Part II of Guitar for Dummies you will find "So Start: Playing the Basics, " three songs you can easily play as a beginner. My favorite is Kumbaya, and again I thank the good Lord that Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star is not included here or I would have stopped reading this book immediately, not kidding.

I have found that both books give you the basics in learning how to play guitar, although The Complete Idiot's Guide has a slower approach in teaching those basics. I found both books to be easy to read and understand and the diagrams clear. But If you are looking for a guide for your E-reader, I can tell you right now The Complete Idiot's Guide To Guitar is not available on Kindle or Nook, however the Guitar For Dummies 2nd Edition is. If an E-reader edition is not your purpose, and instead you are easily irritated by jokes or any non-serious style of learning when it comes to a book, and have lots of time on your hands then go with The Complete Idiot's Guide To Guitar, otherwise grab the Guitar For DUMMIES and have fun with it. show less

The bestselling guide now updated with video demonstrations and audio tracks online The guitar is one of the most versatile instruments in the world, which is why it's so appealing to musicians. Guitar For Dummies, 4th Edition gives you everything a beginning or intermediate acoustic or electric guitarist needs: from buying a guitar to tuning it, playing it, and caring for it. Fully revised and updated, with online video and audio clips that help you learn and play along, you'll explore everything from simple chords and melodies to more challenging exercises that are designed to satisfy players of all levels. Additionally, new players can dive into the basics of guitar and accessory selection. Whether you prefer the cool sounds of the show more acoustic or the edgier tones of the electric, your guitar will get a lot of use as you play your way through the lessons presented in this integral book. But your journey doesn't stop at the last page! With an updated multimedia component, you have access to more than 80 online videos and 35 audio tracks that help build your talent. Play along with online videos and audio tracks to develop and reinforce your new skills Tune your guitar, change strings, and make simple repairs to keep your instrument in working order Choose the right guitar and equipment for your needs Explore numerous musical styles, including rock, blues, jazz, and country Guitar For Dummies, 4th Edition guides you in the development of your strumming talent--and who knows where that can take you! show less

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great to get started

NF