Rating: 
Summary: A Great Place to Start
Review: A great book for beginners to start with. Though I found the combination of the book and lessons most helpful, I think the book is clear enough that you could use it to teach yourself guitar. The "First Stage" Guitar Chord Chart (also by Lopez) offers a nice addition.
Rating:
Summary: Another truly refreshing approach.
Review: As with "The Guitar Book" this book also, with it's easy to see diagrams steps the beginner through the basics of the guitar from the proper positioning, tuning and the first few basic chords one begins to sense an immediate feel of accomplishment from the basics of strumming and finger placement. The charts showing chords in the open and "barre" combinations, in my opinion, takes this knowledge to a level that any student can expand with to the best of their current ability. The availability of this "BUILDING BLOCK" feature paints a bright picture where as other books pile this information in following chapters. From the easy to read diagram explanations, transposing and "tips along the way" the potential here is something that not only will the beginner find useful but many a player I'm sure will find resourceful. From the majors, minors, flats, sevenths and ninths this book by far is the best I have seen anywhere. I doubt anyone will find this too elementary. A Definite 5+ *****
Rating:
Summary: Another truly refreshing approach.
Review: As with "The Guitar Book" this book also, with it's easy to see diagrams steps the beginner through the basics of the guitar from the proper positioning, tuning and the first few basic chords one begins to sense an immediate feel of accomplishment from the basics of strumming and finger placement. The charts showing chords in the open and "barre" combinations, in my opinion, takes this knowledge to a level that any student can expand with to the best of their current ability. The availability of this "BUILDING BLOCK" feature paints a bright picture where as other books pile this information in following chapters. From the easy to read diagram explanations, transposing and "tips along the way" the potential here is something that not only will the beginner find useful but many a player I'm sure will find resourceful. From the majors, minors, flats, sevenths and ninths this book by far is the best I have seen anywhere. I doubt anyone will find this too elementary. A Definite 5+ *****
Rating: 
Summary: Good Place to Start
Review: I bought this book about three months ago and although it is a good place to get started, it does have a few mistakes. I'm now taking lessons and have learned that a few of the chord patterns in the book are inaccurate and/or wrong. For example, the book shows the correct finger pattern for an "A" major chord but does not omit the 6th string (open "E" note) from the chord diagram, thus leading you to believe the note should be played as part of the chord. My intructor corrected me the first time I played the chord. The mistake appears to be a simple publishing error but of course you can't know this if you are a beginner like myself. All things considered, the book was helpful in getting started and I was able to learn a few helpful chords before my lessons began. If you purchase this book, and are not familiar with how each chord is formulated, I would recommend veryfing the finger patterns against another source before you become too comfortable playing the chords.
Rating:
Summary: Good Place to Start
Review: I bought this book about three months ago and although it is a good place to get started, it does have a few mistakes. I'm now taking lessons and have learned that a few of the chord patterns in the book are inaccurate and/or wrong. For example, the book shows the correct finger pattern for an "A" major chord but does not omit the 6th string (open "E" note) from the chord diagram, thus leading you to believe the note should be played as part of the chord. My intructor corrected me the first time I played the chord. The mistake appears to be a simple publishing error but of course you can't know this if you are a beginner like myself. All things considered, the book was helpful in getting started and I was able to learn a few helpful chords before my lessons began. If you purchase this book, and are not familiar with how each chord is formulated, I would recommend veryfing the finger patterns against another source before you become too comfortable playing the chords.
Rating:
Summary: Getting Started Made Easier Than Ever!
Review: I got the book and discovered this guitar book is just what I wanted. The chords are easy to understand and given in both "open" and "barre" finger forms. It has other helpful learning information such as the individual notes on the guitar and how they relate to written music. The illustrations are large and clear. It is much simpler now since everything I needed to get started is in The "First Stage" Guitar Book. I am pleased that it is a spiral bound book, the pages stay flat making it easy to practice. It is a valuable guitar book for a beginner like myself.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Book for Real Beginners
Review: I have been playing the guitar for about a month. I have learned more from going through the chord progressions in this book than a [$$$] one I bought elsewhere. It certainly isn't all I need to know but it is a great start. I intend to go on to the next one in the series.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Book for Real Beginners
Review: I have been playing the guitar for about a month. I have learned more from going through the chord progressions in this book than a [$$$] one I bought elsewhere. It certainly isn't all I need to know but it is a great start. I intend to go on to the next one in the series.
Rating:
Summary: NOW I ENJOY LEARNING TO PLAY GUITAR
Review: I have been trying to learn how to play the guitar for a long time now and came across this guitar book and have enjoyed it ever since. The illustrations and directions are so clear and simple that I now enjoy playing the guitar. Thanks for this wonderful easy reading and understanding book. By being a spiral bound book, it is so easy to use. I have learned so much and now enjoy having my guitar and so do my friends...they get to listen to me...
Rating:
Summary: A Great Place to Start
Review: I have bought several guitar books and never used them because they were not helpful. This book is wonderful. I have been playing the guitar for five years and have never learned so much than I have from reading this book. Thank you Chris!
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