Best Guitar and Bass Lesson Book

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monkie

monkie

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I'm looking to buy a guitar and bass lesson book to improve my playings. My style is rock and blues. Others wouldn't hurt also. I know it's not as good as good teacher but it's only what I can afford right now. Are there any good ones out there?

Thanks in advance for any recommendations.:)
 
Is there anyone who have been getting lessons from any book(s) before? There must be someone???:D
 
Well...I guess the question would be "what is it that you're wanting to learn?" Are you looking to become a theory guru? Are you wanting to work on your speed and picking technique so that you can become a shredding machine? Or do you want to improve your songwriting skills and maybe learn how to do a tasteful solo in the pocket? Scales? Chords?

It's a pretty broad question that you've asked...kind of along the lines of "what's the best guitar?" But going out on a limb here...my personal favorite is the Guitar Grimoire series. Ridiculous amount of knowledge, and no matter how a lot of people may feel differently, I would say that you can never have too much of a knowledge base.

I don't mean this as an insult at all...but I think there's a ton of people out there who really want to be a better guitarist...yet they don't really take the time to think about what it is they're actually wanting to accomplish. In oversimplified terms, do you wanna be Vai or Vaughan?
 
Purge said:
Well...I guess the question would be "what is it that you're wanting to learn?" Are you looking to become a theory guru? Are you wanting to work on your speed and picking technique so that you can become a shredding machine? Or do you want to improve your songwriting skills and maybe learn how to do a tasteful solo in the pocket? Scales? Chords?

It's a pretty broad question that you've asked...kind of along the lines of "what's the best guitar?" But going out on a limb here...my personal favorite is the Guitar Grimoire series. Ridiculous amount of knowledge, and no matter how a lot of people may feel differently, I would say that you can never have too much of a knowledge base.

I don't mean this as an insult at all...but I think there's a ton of people out there who really want to be a better guitarist...yet they don't really take the time to think about what it is they're actually wanting to accomplish. In oversimplified terms, do you wanna be Vai or Vaughan?
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It's a good point you brought up. As of right now I want to work on techniques for better speed and picking. I already have some decent theory knowledge on the keyboard so I don't really need any more on the guitar. Although it would certainly help I don't think I would need it to make me a better player. I'm more of a player who wants to improvise and create my own chops.

I'm currently looking for something that would help me get more confident and a better grip with the guitar. You are right about the fact that you can never have too much of a knowledge base. I have checked the Guitar Grimoire series and thought maybe that's what I probably need. Does it come with a DVD?

In your oversimplified terms question, I wanna be Vai.:D

Thanks
 
monkie said:
It's a good point you brought up. As of right now I want to work on techniques for better speed and picking. I already have some decent theory knowledge on the keyboard so I don't really need any more on the guitar. Although it would certainly help I don't think I would need it to make me a better player. I'm more of a player who wants to improvise and create my own chops.

I'm currently looking for something that would help me get more confident and a better grip with the guitar. You are right about the fact that you can never have too much of a knowledge base. I have checked the Guitar Grimoire series and thought maybe that's what I probably need. Does it come with a DVD?

In your oversimplified terms question, I wanna be Vai.:D

Thanks
Click to expand...

There is a an old book by Denis Sandole called "Guitar Lore". That book should cover most of the stuff you want to learn.
 
In the last page of my Bass Grimoire there's an ad for three Guitar Grimoire DVDs: Scales & Modes, Chords & Voicings, Progressions & Improvisation.

I'm still hoping to someday get John Entwistle's instructional DVD....
 
Ah, excellent. Then the Grimoire series might not be what you're looking for. You might be better off going with a DVD or two...Paul Gilbert and John Petrucci's videos come immediately to mind. Neither of those guys are going to teach you how to play a solo that'll make the ladies weep with orgasmic fury, but chops? Oh yes. Gilbert especially is a phenomenal teacher. You might even consider hunting down some Guitar World magazines with his articles in them.

And as much as I am not a fan of the music, I've gotta sheepishly admit...Michael Angelo Batio writes a hell of an article too. I've given up hating the fact that every time I see a column of his, I learn something with damn near instantaneous results.

(Incidentally, I'm really hoping this thread doesn't turn into a "shred vs feel" screaming buttfest...:D)
 
Purge said:
Ah, excellent. Then the Grimoire series might not be what you're looking for.
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When would a book be better than the DVD and vice versa?

I'm really looking into a book and DVD combo.
 
not to take a shot at anyone...

1. speed and technique without theory (knowledge of "why") is like power without torque - much noise without a whole lot of usefulness

2. theory is like butter (spread on a little bit at a time)

3. everyone needs theory AND technique, but different people need different amounts.

4. best compliment I ever heard of my playing (from a teacher): "you certainly know when not to play". I am at the point where I realize that it's an important compliment - I was working towards that.

I am a "slow" player (can't shred) but would love to improve my speed (for variety, not for sake of speed).

What got me here mostly is a series of books by Bill Edwards called "FRETBOARD LOGIC" (I recommend Volumes 1 and 2, 3 would be optional/later). They also have "BASS LOGIC", but if you already play guitar and "also" play bass, I'd recommend covering the guitar books. The CAGED system helps greatly with bass.

I find that I keep going back to the books, either to get new chord shapes I need (the beauty of the book is that unlike some chord encyclopedia once you find a chord shape you learn it as a moveable/transposable chord TYPE and it tends to stick) or to get scales/lead patterns/arpegios, etc.

The book was also incredibly helpful to me in understanding concepts of solo/lead/melody. Actually that's probably Volume 3 territory, but the author explains rhythmic phrasing, iterations, repetition - all very useful.

The best part of the Volumes 1 and 2 (CAGED system) is that you tend to learn the fretboard in a permanent context and scales are linked with chords in your mind.

I would recommend these books with any other stuff you get.
 
monkie said:
When would a book be better than the DVD and vice versa?

I'm really looking into a book and DVD combo.
Click to expand...

Well, the Grimoire series is completely theory oriented...so I was just thinking that a visual demonstration of chop techniques might prove to be a little more handy.
 
Sheets of Sound is very good. A little more towards the Jazz side of things but really covers an incredible amount of guitar technical knowledge.
 
For a little cash, I use and like the various 'Play-Along' books that have a CD with them. This helps break me out of a rut and keeps me from playing the same old patterns, which is the ultimate lesson. And choosing a style I don't normally play really wakes me up. There are so many books to chose from, but I use the ones from Hal Leonard with titles such as 'Classic Rock' or 'Funk'. But for absolutely free, you can't beat YouTube.
 
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