Lesson Books
Mel Bay's Modern Guitar Method Grade 1
This book has been around for over 50 years. What can I say? It's a classic and it works as great today as it did 50 years ago. For teaching the basics of music theory and laying a solid foundation for guitar, I haven't found a better book on the market. Students will learn notes on each of the six strings and master familiar melodies in the first position. I love this book because it progresses to something tangible by its conclusion. The songs in the last few pages of this book are impressive to hear and challenging and fun to play.
After a student has mastered the techniques in this book, he/she is ready to move on to more student specific study, whether that be rock, classical, blues, church guitar, or any other specialization.
Guitar Aerobics
A new addition for Fall 2011. This book begins to lay the groundwork for becoming great electric guitarist. There is a new exercise every day for an entire year. Students will work through the book daily at home and I will check progress and make corrections during lessons each week.
Each day works on a different skill and each week builds upon the previous week:
Monday - Alternate Picking
Tuesday - String Skipping
Wednesday - String Bending
Thursday - Arpeggios
Friday - Sweep Picking
Saturday - Legato
Sunday - Rhythm Guitar
Each day works on a different skill and each week builds upon the previous week:
Monday - Alternate Picking
Tuesday - String Skipping
Wednesday - String Bending
Thursday - Arpeggios
Friday - Sweep Picking
Saturday - Legato
Sunday - Rhythm Guitar
Mel Bay's Modern Guitar Method Grade 2
Volume two in Mel Bay's guitar series picks up where the first book left off. While Modern Guitar Method Grade 1 is essentially a requirement for my guitar students, Grade 2 is one option from many that students can choose from as they continue their guitar education. This book contains challenging songs and duets from a variety of styles. I have been impressed and encouraged to see that quite a few of my students have decided to continue on with Mel Bay through book 2.
The Christopher Parkening Guitar Method
This guy is as talented as he is dorky looking. Chris Parkening is one of the best classical guitarists in the world, having sat at the feet of Segovia, the classical master. To top it off, he's a Christian and he's got an incredible story. This book starts with the basic fundamentals of music and the classical technique and travels through to an impressive conclusion with some truly challenging pieces. Classical isn't for everyone, but if you've got the dedication it will challenge and better every aspect of your playing.
100 Killer Licks & Chops for Rock Guitar
This one is new for Spring Semester 2011. It is a great overview of rock guitar from it's earliest roots in the 1950's to present. Many great musicians and sub-genres within rock are covered throughout this book. The contents of this book will probably be used in a "Riff of the Week" format, where one new riff/guitarist is covered each week. For $9, it's worth having your own copy!
101 Must-Know Blues Licks
If you want to delve into the blues, this is a great place to start. It starts at the birth of the blues and systematically works through 50+ years of great blues guitar. The book comes with an example CD that plays each lick up to speed and at a slower learning tempo. While this certainly isn't a full blues course, it will give the student a taste of views in various forms before they decide to specialize on a certain type of blues.
Useful Accessories
Korg Metronome
Simple metronome. It's got tap-tempo (useful for determining the tempo of a specific song by tapping it in), easily programmable bpm (beats per minute) and subdivisions. There are free online metronomes (one is listed on my links page) and iPhone/iTouch apps (my pick is iTick), but if you want to get an inexpensive reliable metronome to carry around this is the way to go.
Korg Chromatic Tuner
Simple, Chromatic Tuner. The Chromatic Tuner will pick up whatever note is played instead of only being able to read certain notes (like standard guitar/bass tuners). The upside is that it is much easier to tune your guitar even if you are far out of tune. The downside is that you have to know what string your tuner (E string, A string, etc.) before you start. Learn your string names!
Note: This is the updated version of the tuner that I normally use in lessons.
Note: This is the updated version of the tuner that I normally use in lessons.
Electric Guitar Strings
Ernie Ball Regular Slinky strings. Not too heavy, not too light, and not too expensive. For me, these are the perfect strings. Everyone has strings that they love and strings that they hate but, for what it's worth, these are my pick. Also check out the Super Slinky if you want an even lighter gauge string.
Acoustic Guitar Strings
Ernie Ball Earthwound Light Strings. They feel great and they're cheap. What more do you need? Check out the Extra Light if you want an even lighter feel.
Guitar Wall Hanger
I've got quite a few of these around my house. Let's face it. You are much more likely to practice if you're guitar is staring at you from the wall than if you have to take it out of the case that you've hidden under your bed each week. I love this one because the weight of the guitar locks the hanger so that even if it is bumped the guitar isn't going anywhere! Make sure you screw it into a stud in the wall so that it holds.