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Introduction
Here’s a list of the books I prefer and that I would like to recommend. Let me make one point clear: I don’t like "do-it-yourself " books, that is those which do not suggest a progressive and well-organized teaching program, with very few exceptions (that you will find in the list). What do I seek in a book, as a student and as a teacher?
- It must be fun. That’s vital! Discipline is necessary, but your heart must rejoice!
- It must be simple… related to its level, of course. I live by a principle that I obviously apply to music as well: if it is simple, it works!
- It must be practical and lead to immediate results. What you read in it must turn as soon as possible into professional, and why not, financial rewarding
- The author must be a good player (if a CD is enclosed). Imitation is very important!
I didn’t study all these books completely, but just about 50% of them (otherwise I would be the best guitarist in our galaxy). From the remaining 50% I only took what I was interested in at the right moment. However, I know their potential so well that I can recommend them. To make browsing easier, I have divided my recommended books into:
- The books I recommend the most: a collection of books dealing with various
topics
- Recommended books, divided by topic: if you are interested in a specific
topic, you will find a broader list.
Notes that apply to all the following books
I recommend studying theory, harmony and improvisation with a teacher. I have seen people invest years of study on fruitless or even dead wrong principles. Walking for a long time on the wrong way is like a plant that has not grown straight: it is very difficult to straighten up, because it is already fully developed.
Checkboard
Difficulty level. It is indicated with progressive values from 1 (easy) to 6 (very difficult). Here is how to interpret the values:
- 1 and 2: the book can be used by anyone with even minimal experience
- 3 and 4: not recommended to beginners
- 5 and 6: only for guitarists with solid knowledge in harmony and theory
Value ranges mean that the book is suitable for more than one level (e.g. 1-6).
I use it to teach. When the square is checked, it means that the book is part of my teaching program.
Educational and progressive. When the square is checked, it means that the book is methodically organized. It will progressively accompany the student through increasingly difficult levels. These are, in my opinion, the best books.
Enjoyable and stimulating. When this square is checked, it means that the book is especially rewarding and motivating. I think that fun can make even the hardest efforts easier and more successful. This kind of book is also my favorite.
My most recommended books
Fundamentals Of Modern Harmony - Groove School of Music - Alfred.
Studying theory like this is pure pleasure. A collection of books, painstakingly organized. Great job! They start from the very beginning (book one-part one) and lead you quite far (Modern Harmonic Relationship) without ever causing the slightest doubt.
The Jazzmaster Cookbook - Jim Grantham.
A true reference book. Every time I have a doubt, or if I want to experiment something new about theory, harmony or improvisation I open this book and I always find an answer. Always!
The Advancing Guitarist - Mick Goodrick - Hal Leonard.
It is difficult to describe this masterpiece properly… let me try. Imagine you take your brain, full of your guitar experience and knowledge, and you squeeze it the hardest you can, thinking until you’re exhausted! Your first reaction: you start tearing off your hair. Then, when you have recovered a little, you think “Well, well, I had never considered these possibilities!” But then you turn the page… and you start tearing your hair again! You have been squeezed one more time! And so on, through the book. A solid knowledge of theory and harmony is strongly recommended… the book will sweat you anyway!
Speed Mechanics for Lead Guitar - Troy Stetina - Hal Leonard.
The book is especially valuable because the author has skillfully organized a logical and progressive series of right-hand – left-hand “combinations”, which are fundamental for alternate picking. Difficulty level: technically suitable for anyone, but extremely difficult if the drills are played up to speed.
Sweep picking - Frank Gambale - REH – Hal Leonard.
Who better than Frank Gambale to deal with this technique? I put this book among my favorites because I judge it important to know at least the basic principles of sweep picking. This technique offers various playing possibilities that could never be executed with alternate picking. There is another very positive aspect about this book… if you let your keen lynx eyes observe closely, you’ll notice important concepts about the use of modes and superimposed triads and arpeggios.
Masters of Rhythm Guitar - Joachim Vogel - Ama Verlag.
The book analyzes about twenty of the world’s greatest rhythm guitarists, and offers hundreds of rhythm accompaniments from various musical genres (Rock, Pop, Funk, Jazz, Reggae, Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Blues, Rockabilly, Rock’n Roll, Latin), that are to be played on electric, acoustic and classical guitar. The voicings and the chord shapes are also analyzed. You will also find the author’s biography and discography, and many tips on how to achieve his kind of guitar sound.
Rock Guitar Secrets - Peter Fisher - Ama Verlag.
This book is about the most complex techniques used by modern virtuoso guitarists. It shows how to utilize them even in improvisation, it uses extremely advanced concepts (Pitch Axis, modal interchange, and so on…) and, finally, it is complete with all fingering charts and dozens of playalong tracks for some fun improvisation.
Chord Chemistry - Ted Green - Dale Zdnek Publicatio.
There are no words to describe this book. No, wait, here they are: even if you know just a twentieth of it you will be highly successful!
New Real Book 1, 2, 3 and Standard Real Book
I recommend at least one of these books to whoever wants to widen their experience on great melodies, arrangements, chords, progressions, harmonic analysis, composition, re-harmonization and so on… all this with historical songs from Jazz, Blues, Funk, Fusion and Pop music.
And now, a series of recommended books divided by topic
Sight-reading
Solfeggio Ritmico e Solfeggio Sincopato - Dante Agostini
I judge myself a lucky guitarist: my first teacher (Giorgio Cocilovo) made me study rhythm guitar on drummers’ books as well. How? Easy: we chose the chords, the book chose the rhythmic patterns. You’ll be amazed.
Reading Studies For Guitar - William G. Leavitt. Berklee Press
Recommended to whoever wants to improve “note spotting” on the fretboard. Very student-friendly and progressive. It teaches reading in every position up to the seventh. Modulations, chromaticisms, uncommon intervals and much more.
Melodic Rhithms - William G. Leavitt. Berklee Press
Over 40 jazzy tunes in all keys. This book is very helpful when studying harmonically “rich” chords and for the analysis of progressions.
Songs and Repertoire
New Real Book 1, 2, 3 e Standard Real Book.
See "Most recommended ".
Beatles, Queen, Bon Jovi or whatever you like and enjoy
Why? More so than other musicians, a guitarist absolutely needs to know a vast repertoire of songs from memory.Acoustic guitar, your voice … that’s all you need! This helps in composition, it teaches you the flavor of progressions, it develops your transposition, singing and social skills, especially useful if some young ladies on the beach are listening to our hero raptly.
Improvisation
How To Improvise - Hal Crook. Advance Music
Recommended to the guitarist who realizes he needs to improve the diversity and quality of his phrasing. It develops your use of scales, rests, chromaticisms, and so on.Please note: this book doesn’t tell you “which scale to use on which chord”; in fact it takes this knowledge for granted.
A Guide to Tune Analysis and Chord/Scale Choices of Improvisation - Dan Haerle. Hal Leonard
Instead of looking for the right scale for such and such chord, Dan Hearle takes a fully different approach: how do you want to sound like? Here are some possible scales for you. Some will sound dissonant, others quite funny, others consonant. Now that you know, you can choose your favorite yourself.
Rock Guitar Secrets
See “Most recommended”.
The Jazzmaster Cookbook
See “Most recommended”.
Minor Melodic Revaled - Don Mock - Warner Bros
Recommended to those who want to extend their knowledge about the melodic minor scale and its modes (dominant Lydian, Superlocrian, etc).An extremely clear guitar method that sheds light on the modal theory and dissolves any possible doubt. The CD also contains some “hands-on-guitar“ explanations, that are a valid complement to those you find in the book. It’s a double book!
Minor Armonic Revaled - Don Mock - Warner Bros.
See above; this book deals with the Harmonic Minor scale and its uses.
Jazz Guitar Study Series (tutti i “Daily Exercices”) - Barry Galbraith. Welbridge Production, Inc.
Dozens of specific drills on major, natural minor, harmonic and melodic minor scales in all keys. Also a great book for “advanced” reading and to learn very "cultured and intelligent” licks.
Accompaniment and rhythm guitar
Masters of Rhythm Guitar
See “Most recommended”.
Theory
Fondamentals Of Modern Harmony
See “Most recommended”.
The Jazzmaster Cookbook
See “Most recommended”.
All In One!
Guitar Compendium 1, 2 e 3 - Howard Roberts & Garry Hagberg. Advance Music
A guitarist’s encyclopedia. You’ll find any topic you want, with excellent, in-depth explanation. Hundreds of exercises. Two great authors, guitarists and teachers. The ultimate all-rounder.
Harmony, Arrangement, Composition
The Jazzmaster Cookbook
See “Most recommended”.
Berklee Corrispondence Course (tutta la serie)
These books are useful if you want to learn big band harmonic and voicing techniques. They deal with most jazz progressions, and show you how to write orchestral parts.
Chord Chemistry
See “Most recommended”.
Creative Chord Substitution - Ed Arkin. PMP
If you are trudging along a progression you don’ like, and you want to substitute chords without affecting the melody… this book will give you what Santa Claus himself couldn’t. You will also discover how to re-harmonize, ‘manipulate’ and interconnect chords. Dozens and dozens of examples. An extremely clear book.
Chord Khancepts - Steve Khan. Manhattan Music
You can play rhythm guitar by using the first 4 strings only! You just need to know how to superimpose chords! Example: if the chord you are playing is Cmaj9 and the bass player is playin a C, why don’t you play Em7 or G over him? It works great! Rock, Latin, Funk, Jazz and Country: dozens of perfectly executed tunes.
Guitar Chords - Joe Pass. Mel Bay
If you happen to see this little book, you will think that I’m crazy! But it is actually a great book! The main reason is that you WILL NOT find the name of the chord anywhere, but just the family it belongs to. Therefore, you will use that fingering only to re-create the flavor and the feeling that it offers. Isn’t this freedom? Isn’t this the aim of music?
Progressions - Ted Green. Dale Zdnek Publication
Hundreds and hundreds of progressions, absolutely “guaranteed and effective”, along the whole neck. Recommended to the guitarist who wants to know a lot of progressions, to develop fingering technique for complex chords and to understand how chords can be interconnected. A great challenge!
Alternate picking
Speed Mechanics for Lead Guitar
See “Most recommended”.
Il Dominio delle Corde - Mauro Storti. La Melodiana
I want you to understand the reason why I recommend this much-debated book. It is an awesome collection of “mechanical combinations” between the left and right hands that can occur when playing a melody or a solo. As they are merely “combinations” (e.g. 1 - 2 - 4 in triplets, where numbers indicate the left hand fingering), they basically don’t make any sense, melodically! This lets the brain concentrate on touch and posture exclusively, as it is not distracted by the beauty of the melody or the complexity of the fingering. Please note: it requires total and strict discipline in the body and in the mind. High power of concentration is mandatory! Recommended only if you are extremely motivated and committed! Progressive and educational to the utmost. The exercises are masterfully written and sequenced.
Heavy Metal Lead Guitar 1 - Troy Stetina. Hal Leonard
The most enjoyable and productive book for beginning rockers. Absolutely fundamental for rock guitar beginners!
Stylus Pick - Hal Leonard
Rather than a guitar method, it is a pick that can be useful to master the principles of high-speed alternate picking (Please note: this is the only goal it can help you with – it is counterproductive to use it for other aims!). The specially shaped pick and the recommended exercises will “posture” your right hand correctly, and will allow you to develop speed (and nothing else). Remember that you must not fall in love with it because it is not the end, but the means!
Sweep picking
Speed Picking
See “Most recommended”.
Creativity
The Advancing Guitarist
See “Most recommended”. Here are more... of a different kind
Essere Creativi e Il Pensiero Laterale - Edward De Bono.
This is not about music, but the author has written the best books ever on creativity. Creativity has principles that can apply to any profession, even to music. Level: very difficult.
Slap it!
This a slap bass method… but it can be useful to learn how to “slap” your guitar a little bit.
Miscellaneous
Letterio Ciriaco
I can’t even imagine any spoken solfege exercises that are harder than these. The ultimate challenge.
Blues - Robben Ford
A great educational solo and lots of nice licks at the end of the book.
Playin’ The Blues (anche videocassetta) - Robben Ford.
Robben Ford-style rhythm and solos. His principles are simple, and incredibly effective. He’s got a wonderful touch; it’s worth imitating him… and then go back to your personal style with one extra color on your palette.
Music Notation Primer - Glen Rosencrans. Amsco Publication.
To develop a fine handwriting for your charts.
Guide To The Road For The Touring Musician - David Liebman. Jamey Abersold Jazz
Everything that the touring musician should know: contracts, promoters, plane trips, hotels, personal security and much more.
Recommended Videos
Here are some, divided by topic and author.
Technique
Gibert, Gambale, Petrucci.
Improvisation
Gambale, Scott Henderson.
Harmony and chords
Andy Summers.
All-round
Eric Johnson, Robben Ford.
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