Justinguitar.com - Beginner's Course (Spiral Bound Book/2-CD Pack)

First of all, I recommend this book for Intermediate players. The reason being that Justin gives some advice that isn't always sound, and at least if one is an intermediate player already, they have the background and knowledge to know when something isn't quite right, or that there are other, and better options... enough to make an educated choice. I've been playing for awhile, but I'm one of those "on again, off again" players that never really got beyond the Beginning Intermediate level. Already having a knowledge on how to read music, I started off with regular western guitar as a kid, and later, still as a kid, took Classical guitar lessons. As an adult, I would pick up the guitar every couple of years, do a refresher (referencing my 2 beginning guitar books) and go back to playing the songs I learned/and wrote, decades ago.Cut to now. I want to get beyond intermediate, get better at strumming, changing chords, forming bar chords, and general tidbits and tips to be a better guitarist. Then I realized that, not really being into online instruction (I'm more of a book learner, with visual instruction only as an "add-on"), I did not have any "intermediate" books.... sheet music books, but not educational ones. So then I bought Justin's Intermediate guitar course book. Started off on it and I could see that he had (what he calls) little "nuggets" of information that he had gone over in the beginning course, that threw me off a bit (because everyone teaches something different). So I decided to get his beginning course as well, and start sort of from scratch.I knew that I was going to skip some stuff,... likely... and that he was probably going to introduce some habits and playing styles that I didn't care for (like holding the guitar like a rock star, using picks, and just overall general techniques that I would not use - I'll stick to my Classical education on that). So this is the case. One of the things he says is that you should learn to read sheet music later, after you've learned to play the guitar. NOT! I recommend learning to read music BEFORE picking up a guitar, or get at least at the same time. The Mel Bay beginning guitar book teaches you to read music as you go along (again, I recommend Justin's book for intermediate players... like AFTER you go through the Mel Bay book). Justin then goes through, rather thoroughly, how to read chord boxes and tab. I mean... that's pretty basic, common sense stuff - not just common for intermediate players, I mean common for NON-players, it speaks for itself. There are other things, such as not using "small" guitars to start off with... even with children,.. which I find off... and surprising since he started off by learning Classical guitar (Classical guitars, even full sized, are about 3/4 the size of a western guitar). He says he learned on a "full size Classical guitar". As a person who started lessons on a full size western, steel string, guitar, I can say DO NOT do that with your child! As a person who learned as a teen on a full sized Classical guitar, I a can also say, DO NOT do that with your child. Teen, yes, child under 12, no. The fret board is way too wide for a child to be able to use the Classical guitar efficiently. And the western guitar is just too darn big. For a child under 12, I would suggest a 3/4 sized Classical guitar (a tad smaller than a full sized CG).I got this book yesterday, and I am through stage 1 of this book, and have already learned several "tidbits", or "nuggets" of information... and will update this review as necessary. But I wanted to get out there the deal about reading music, and the guitar sizes. The Mel Bay method teaches you basic chords, strings and music notation with each chapter... a great way to learn both a little at the same time... not slow or in the way... at....all.Note: There is a companion songbook that goes with this (separate purchase). I have not, and do not plan on, purchasing this. Mostly because I don't like a lot of the songs, but also because it is for strumming, not arpeggios or "finger style" playing... and also because it just isn't what I want to learn. Like I said, I want to get better, not learn more (non-finger style) songs (although, really, you can play finger style using regular chord strum music.. just do a pattern and play around with it, it's really fun). I am interested in improving my strumming, but not concentrate on it. You do NOT have to get this book. It is just a way of introducing songs that use the chords that you are learning. If you want practice playing chords, then just strum from one to the other, you don't have to play these songs. If you want to learn some songs to strum straight off, then get the book. That's what it's for.

The book has lots of ideas on how to play a very good variety of songs. However, there were no CDs.

Very well thought out and organized. I use this along with his excellent website (which is free) and I learn new things about the guitar every day. The pictures are clear and the CDs help with ear training and learning new strum patterns. I love the spiral bound edition that lays flat on my music stand. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is new to playing guitar.

This lesson book is structured very well and gives you easy to follow but comprehensive lessons that you can follow daily to make progress!

At 74 years old I wanted to play guitar for years. This beginners course is fantastic, in that it moves the student along at a slow pace. Its up to the student to practice for a faster pace. The real neat thing that I like is the 10 learning segments, each with the beginning of songs to get us started correctly. That is 100 modern songs that we can practice with, to cut the boredom that can sneak into the practice sessions. Even better yet you can go the authors web site, and YouTube to see him show up close, exactly where put your fingers. Please read the info on Justinguitat.com that is all free. I also purchased the spiral bound song book for complete song lyrics, cords, tips, and a wealth of information. Good luck and don't quit!

I like the written content. However, I feel that TOO MUCH time and emphasis is placed on TAB, which I am convinced is inferior to learning to read standard notation. You MUST learn standard notation to reach your full potential as a guitarist.

Came on time. Seems like this is a good book to help me learn to play.

Be aware that you need to purchase both the instruction book and the song book as they refer to each other. A nice learning system as you get right into playing a modern selection of songs as soon as you learn a couple of cords. Gives you something to look forward to. He doesn't use traditional "tab" format which took a little getting used to. His system is simpler.

I like having a book to refer to and make notes in. It is an excellent companion resource to Justin's video lessons. Each chapter is well laid out with clear goals and helpful tips, drawings and photos. It's large and lays flat too. I highly recommend this book.

Great price for what you get. Now I just have to do the work. But Justin's method does not rush you. Go at your own speed.

the best

Well pleased liked the fact it can be laid flat .Easy to follow instructions with large diagrams.

Years ago I came across these video lessons on Youtube and went right through them all to teach myself guitar completely from scratch. I remember thinking at the time what a good teacher Justin was, and liked the fact that his videos were all round about 10mins long each, so although his Youtube videos took you through a lot of important stuff, i never got bored and actually stuck with them all the way through, and ended up being an alright wee basic guitar player I think, because I did get comments when I played in front of family - they were surprised how good I was starting to get. I was very skint back then and couldnt afford to pay for lessons, so that shows how good these videos were, to take a complete beginner through to intermediate level just through wee 10 minute videos. I gave up guitar to concentrate on a different instrument at that point which I preferred. Fast forward about 10 years and for whatever reason Ive decided to take up the guitar again. So I look him up on the internet and find out he now has an amazing big website with fully structured courses, really improved from just his youtube videos - if that could be possible. So Ive started learning with him again. I bought this book so that I could do a quick 15 mins practice each day without having to watch the videos over and over again. Or take notes. If you just use the videos - youd end up having to take notes and draw out the chord diagrams etc, but by buying the book you save yourself all that hassle. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the book exactly mirrors his video lessons. And its so handy to have the practice schedules and chord diagrams, photos of how to place your fingers etc all to hand to see at a glance any time you want. This guy is really a brilliant teacher, his lessons really worked on me 1st time round (the only reason Im having to start from scratch again is because i need to build up my hand strength etc again and try to remember all the chords) and I enjoyed following his course (most importantly) so Id definitely recommend buying this book either as a written accompaniment to the videos or even just to go through on its own. Best musical instrument-learning book Ive ever bought.