Techniques Series: Hot Country

Rating:
Summary: This book has it all
Review: Finding material on instruction for playing country guitar is very difficult because there is just not much out there. This book is like finding a needle in a hay stack. This book runs the gamut on almost every aspect of playing country guitar. It starts you out on some simple little licks that get you sounding like a country picker right off the bat. For someone new to playing country music, you must learn how to pick [base] strings in an alternating fashion with your thumb or flat pick and pick with your middle and ring finger (also called hybrid picking). It takes some practice but that's just country. Take your time and you'll get it. Once you learn hybrid picking you'll never go back to just flat picking only - it's like a hole new world, even if you're not playing country music. Have a finger-lickn'-chickn'-pickn' great time! Keep it country!

Rating:
Summary: Hot Country by Lee Hodgson
Review: Hot Country by Lee Hodgson

Given the lack of material on this subject as compered to rock and blues, this book is a must. Each chapter is dedicated to a technique or style like the CAGED scale system or Chicken Picking and Pick Harmonics. The book contains an incredible amount of material most of which is demonstrated on the CD, although the book does follow the standard easy stuff at the front hard stuff at the back format, this is strictly not the case and it seems to jump from easy techniques to incredibly advanced techniques at the turn of a page which can be a bit off putting. But it's all here if you are prepared to work at it especially if your idea of a Hot Country Guitarist is Albert Lee or Bert Mason. Beginners may find the book a bit advanced and out of their depth but I'd advise getting it anyway.

Rating:
Summary: Good job Lee
Review: This book is more geared toward the intermediate to advanced player. It really helps if you know how to count rythmes and triplets to break down the written tab. Although it's always helpfull to hear the music being played, I did not think the CD was all the much benefit. As usual, it's much easier to learn this stuff slow and work it up to speed. The author is a very fast picker and I found it hard to us the CD because he plays so fast. If you do not want to play with pick and hybrid fingers or finger picks, forget this book, most of the examples require this technique to get it to sound correct. I generally like the book, it's a good resource for stealing licks. The section on using 3rd's and 6th intervals is great for country twang. The book that has been most benefit towards my country prowess has been Albert Lee's Adavance Country Guitar. I believe this book will come in number two. If only Brent Mason would decide to write a book and focus on his country style, wow.