Guitar for Dummies

I'm almost 76 and just beginning to learn guitar. This book is very well written and designed, and has a little humor included.

Like many other reviewers, I have made several attempts to learn guitar. When I pulled the old Gibson Epiphone out of storage and knocked the dust off the case recently, it marked at least my third attempt to try and make something that sounds like music come out of it. I found a pretty nice Android app for teaching yourself guitar, but I am old enough that I still feel like I need something on paper in front of me as well. I ordered this book based on the other reviews, and I have only gotten as far as the first set of chords so far. Already, I see a glaring problem that just might stop a true beginner from using the rest of this book. They don't show alternate fingerings for the open A chord. Not all of us have skinny little kid fingertips to fret that chord using the traditional fingering of the first three fingers on three consecutive strings in the same fret. Thankfully, I remembered an alternate fingering that an instructor taught me some years ago (using the flat of my index finger to barre all three strings). If you have this book and you are already stuck at the first chord they teach you, I recommend that you do a Google search for "alternate fingering for A chord" to get some ideas of other ways to do it. Also, if you are in that boat and concerned about learning to do something the "wrong" way, I suggest you watch B.B. King play some time. That dude has some very fat fingers, and I guarantee you that he uses some alternate fingering.Another problem I found (as also noted by other reviewers) is that this is not a standard DVD. I tried it on two different DVD players in my house, and neither one will read it. It looks like it is formatted to run in a computer only because there is an executable file on it that opens the main menu. Thankfully, I have my computer tied into the TV, because I couldn't see myself sitting at the computer desk and trying to play guitar.I am sure I will find other things worth mentioning as I go through this book, but so far my impression is that it will suffice as a refresher for someone who has made attempts to learn guitar in the past, but it is not really meant for a true beginner.

Got the book three days ago. I know it's not a long time to actually make a conprehensive review but I want to add a few thoughts right now and come back maybe after a month and do an update. I have started leaning the A family chords, the guy at the music store said it is great to learn the chords and I agree. Even kinda proud that I am getting pretty good at 3 chords. LOL My one big dissapointment with the book is that I would like to play something that sounded like a song with those 3 chords. That probably is not possible but then, to kind of distract you a little it gives you two songs you can play with just fingering the strings. The first two songs are Little Brown Jug and On Top Of Ole Smokey. Come on those were popular when I was 5 years old, I am 66 and wanted to mess with some Rock and Roll songs in between learning chords! I was torn between this book and the Hal Lenard Tab Method books which boasted that they used modern songs, not the exact songs I wanted to avoid. Looking though the Guitar for Dummies book I see these are the only songs they give you the tabs to, you know, the ones from my childhood. They do give some examples of Rock and Roll songs but I guess I would have to find the Tab version to try them. Anyway, I want to learn, I will see how it goes the next month or so. In the mean time my husband and I are going out to buy a firepit and some wood so I can play Kumbaya for him.

I had played my Gibson Jumbo accoustic guitar for years and finally told myself I needed to. I'd forgotten most of the basic chords and seeing "Guitar for Dummies" advertise on Amazon I immediately ordered it. I am making what I would call slow progress. It took weeks to develop some callouses on my finger tips and move beyond the pain of those early practice sessions, and I have been practicing and memorizing the basic few beginning chords, taking a lot more time than it did when I was a much younger man.So far I do enjoy the clear pictures, showing the finger placement, and the explanations they give, along with the humor sprinkled here and there, which is enjoyable. I'm not sure how far I'll be capable of following the book on to the more advanced chord positions, but for me, the book was worth it's good price. I would recommend this book for any beginner or old coot returning to re-learn the basics again, if just to relax and make some nice guitar sounds for my own pleasure. But the love of my life, tells me she is enjoying listening to me. So I must be doing something right so far. Go for it and enjoy!

What can i say, this is the best and most helpful book i have ever used about guitar. I started playing guitar about 2 and a half years ago and i didnt know a thing i was doing, i tried online teachers but to very little avail it didn't really help much so I decided i need to try something else and one day (probably the luckiest day of my life) i was searching amazon and POOF i came across this book, from then on i can say my life changed dramatically I grew into the guiar player i wanted to be, not like jimi hendrix but where i wanted to be all thanks to guitar for dummies. This book teaches you about almost everthing that you will need to know for guitar, from hammerons to practically shredding the guitar. I am forever grateful that i came across this and I truly suggest everyone from doing the same as me and purchasing this book. Dont make my mistake and wait so long when you have it right at your fingertips and for very cheap also. Thank you again for leading me in the right direction for learning how to play guitar the right way. Love you guys!!

Very very pleased, brilliant book.

Like the title says, as with other Dummies books I have used and seen, I was expecting this book to be informative and easy to use; comprehensive without being complex and light humoured while still getting the serious information across.It comfortably ticks all the boxes. An excellent guide and ideal for the beginner guitarist such as myself.Would recommend to anyone starting out with playing.

I bought this for my hubby who has had a break from playing guitar. He has found it very usefull, reminding him of things long forgotten, and teaching something new. This series of books are always easy to get on with, well laid out and less 'dry and dusty'.He must be enjoying it as it moves round the house with him, rather than lying in a corner with a pile of others!

This is an excellent book for beginners. The 3rd Edition is better than the 2nd Edition as it replaces the chapter on guitar makes (which is practically useless information) with a list of songs written by well known guitarists

Having just purchased my first guitar - an electro acoustic - l felt that of all the many books available for beginners this was one l felt l needed to help me in my very steep learning curve.I can highly recommend the seller - swift delivery and very well packaged.