I have looked at numerous beginner guitar books, and I currently have about six others that I've checked out from the library, but I keep coming back to this one. I love that there is no TAB in this book. To me, TAB feels like cheating. You have to learn how to read TAB and then you get used to it, and then you feel like you need it. But even books with TAB usually also have the standard music notation written out above to clarify the rhythm, etc. So why not just use the standard notation in the first place instead of learning two systems? And this book, more than any other, taught me how to read music. It's simple. You learn a few notes on one string, and then you practice a few songs that use those notes. Then you move to the next string. There are no shortcuts! If you just steadily work at it, you get to the point fairly quickly where you can look at a note and automatically play it on the right string on the guitar. Yes, the music is basic, and I suppose some of it is boring (I found myself wanting to skip a few like Yankee Doodle), but I actually loved most of the tunes (especially the folk songs). It's helpful to have some idea what a song should sound like so you know if you're on the right track.
To me, this is a good book to get if you're willing to put in the time and actually learn to read music. You learn chords too as you go along. But the chords aren't the focus, and I actually liked that. It's easy to get frustrated with learning guitar because a lot of people and books will tell you that all you need to learn is a few chords and then you'll be playing songs in no time. But they don't tell you how hard learning chords, getting them to sound right, switching between them in time, and singing along will be. This book actually gets you playing melodies quickly, and the chords come in time as your fingers toughen up.
Hal Leonard Guitar Method Book 1: Bk/Online Audio
4.7 | 1,101 ratings
Price: 12.1
Last update: 01-11-2025
About this item
From the Publisher
Hal Leonard Guitar Method Book 1
Book/CD/Online Audio Pack
By Will Schmid and Greg Koch
The second edition of this world-famous method by Will Schmid and Greg Koch is preferred by teachers because it makes them more effective while making their job easier. Students enjoy its easy-to-follow format that gives them a solid music education while letting them play songs right away. Book 1 provides beginning instruction including tuning, 1st position melody playing, C, G, G7, D7, and Em chords, rhythms through eighth notes, solos and ensembles and strumming. Features a chord chart, and traditional songs like: Amazing Grace • Greensleeves • and When the Saints Go Marching In. Audio examples of the exercises are included on the CD and are also accessible online with the unique code included with the book.
Use any type of guitar with this method.
See an example of a lesson with exercises and a song.
Practice what you have learned while playing a popular song.
Book 1 includes positions, notes, strumming and more.
Top reviews from the United States
LMKSimple, clear, and helpful
Silent BobThe standard for learning guitar and sight reading music.
Montana Mama loves the bluesBook helps me learn music notation for the guitar
Marlon R.Straightforward, easier than Mel Bay
SharonBeginner guitar
GeorgiGreat book
Nicky JoyfullyApparently this is a guitar lovers go to book.
Jose Gregorio Hernandez Delgado