Alan Horvath | Books for Acoustic Guitarists

Books That Help

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Purchasing & Maintaining Guitars :

Blue Book of Acoustic Guitars :
With Reference Guides to Serial Numbers

by S. P. Fjestad (Editor), Gurney Brown

Specifically covers acoustic and acoustic-electric instruments. Not only are most of the current and older acoustic companies and luthiers listed (including the new crop of arch-top builders), but hundreds of photos depicting rare makes and configurations have been included. Features high-resolution photos to accurately show a variety of real world condition factors over a wide range of instrument models and configurations.

Blue Book of Acoustic Guitars :

by S. P. Fjestad (Editor), Gurney Brown

An annual electric and acoustic electric guitar pricing book containing almost 900 pages and over 40,000 prices. Included are hundreds of photos and graphics to help identify most new and vintage electric guitars. Additionally, there is much technical information and data, including serialization, to help both the novice and seasoned dealer/collector ascertain the most up-to-date electric guitar pricing and related information. This new Edition uses the all-new, digital color Photo Grading System to accurately determine each guitars unique condition. Also included is a Trademark Index section which links all currently manufactured trademarks to their respective manufacturer/importer/distributor, with addresses and fax numbers. Most of this up-to-date information is not available anywhere else, at any price!

Between the Strings
The Secret Lives of Guitars

by John Schroeter - with an Intro by B.B. King

My guitar-playing cousin, out in California, mailed me this book as a birthday present and I'm having a really FUN read! If you're looking for a good, relaxing read ... something light, inspiring and insightful ... and something that shines a deeper light on some of your guitar heroes ... here are 80 to 90 short and VERY entertaining stories about guitars by players and luthiers like Richie Furay, Pierce Pettis, John Michael Talbot, Johnny Cash, Bruce Carroll, Chet Atkins, Rick Derringer, Robbie Robertson, John Hammond, Peter Frampton, Bob Weir, Janis Ian ... the list goes on and on!

Guitar Player Repair Guide :
How to Set-up, Maintain, and Repair Electrics and Acoustics

by Dan Erlewine

"Any Luthier or Luthier wannabe will find this reference a nirvana of guitar goodies. Dan Erlewine is the modern master of guitar repair and set-up and his text is proof. You might have run across his tips and techniques in Stewart-McDonald's Guitar Shop Supply Catalog. This book is not only helpful for a plethora of repair tips; it is also a must-have for any guitarist. Erlewine shares his knowledge of how the guitar works and how to make yours sound and play it's best. You'll love this one!" ~~Douglas Ritterling - from South Carolina

The Acoustic Guitar :
Adjustment, Care, Maintenance and Repair

by Don E. Teeter

This is the definitive book on guitar repair. Everyone, from a novice to a seasoned luthier, will learn something from this work. ~~Steve Ahlstrom - Colorado, USA

The Complete Guitarist :

by Richard Chapman / Forward by Les Paul

Everyone that's purchased this book, rants and raves about it! It's got everything you need, from chord charts and scales, to more than 1,500 step-by-step illustrations ... an annotated portfolio of more than one hundred makes and models of guitars - pretty much, just what the title says.

The Acoustic Guitar Guide :
Everything You Need to Know to Buy & Maintain, New or Used

by Larry Sandberg

Contains just enough up-to-date technical and historical background to give you what you need to select a great new or used acoustic guitar. It clarifies model sizes, nomenclature, woods, strings, and everything else. The author is correct in that no book full of adjectives will help you evaluate either sound or action. You need to go out and play as many guitars as you can. However, this book gives you a great start, and gives you a lot of good reasons to pass over a lot of what is on the lower end of the market today. Highly recommended. ~~Rhys A. Ord - Florham Park, NJ USA

Gibson Shipment Totals :
1937 - 1979

by Larry Meiners

This reference guide is a must for the collector or dealer of vintage Gibson guitars, basses, mandolins, ukes, steels, banjos and amps. Here is a new guitar reference book for the guitar collector, dealer, player and enthusiast. This 64-page book covers all Gibson instruments and all the popular models such as the Les Paul, SG, Flying V, Firebird, L-5, Super-400, J-45, J-200, LG-1, F-5 and others. Over 1.6 million Gibson instrument shipments are listed by model name and year. Additional details are included such as construction features and finish information. Is your vintage Gibson instrument rare? Get the answer in this book.

Guitar For Dummies :

by Mark Phillips & Jon Chappell

Guitar For Dummies offers full coverage of the subject, from picking out a guitar to learning to play, expert advice from America's leading guitar authorities, musical exercises and fretboard illustrations--plus a tutorial CD that features licks and songs from the book. ~~Ingram

The Guitar Handbook

by Ralph Denyer

This has got to be my favorite guitar book of all time! Dear, sweet Matraca borrowed my copy, and I could never get it back from her! Everything under the sun, concerning guitars, is in this book - I kid you not. Acoustics ... electrics ... historical ... biographical ... technical ... educational ... if you were stranded on a desert isle, this would be "the one."

1001 Guitar Tips and Tricks

by Andy Jones, Arthur Dick

"I originally bought this book as a gift for a friend. When I went over to his house again, I looked it over out of curiousity and realized I should have bought an extra copy for myself!!!! The tips given are perfect for a beginner or even an expert ..." ~~C's Angel

100 Guitar Tips You Should Have Been Told

by David Mead

"I'm not sure why the publisher called this book '100 Guitar Tips Someone Should Have Told You.' What the author has to offer are not tips, but rather very good advice on how to approach learning rock guitar (learn mostly by ear, he says--it's not as hard as you think). His focus is mostly on lead guitar" ~~A Reader from USA

Tuning Your Guitar

by Matt Scharfglass, Donald Brosnac

Tuning the Guitar by Ear

by Gerald Klickstein

Guitar Tuning Pack :
Everything You Need to Know About Tuning the Guitar

by Dale Turner

Picks! :
The Colorful Saga of Vintage Celluloid Guitar Plectrums

by Will Hoover

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Playing 12-String Guitar :

Twelve-String Guitar Guide

by Mark Hanson

Tips on purchasing, stringing, tuning and technique, with special sections on alternate tunings, resources and tablature -- specially designed to fit in your pocket or guitar case.

Fingerpicking 12-String Guitar

Method Book/CD Set

by Tommy Flint

This beginner's method for 12-string guitar by veteran guitarist Tommy Flint covers all of the basics for getting started. Topics include tuning and strings; reading chord diagrams, notation and tablature; blues; triplets; slurs; slides; melody playing on the 1st and 2nd strings; two and three part harmony; movable chords; and rolls. Numerous solos give the student a chance to practice the skills being taught. The companion CD is a helpful audio tool for attaining the correct sound.

The 12-String Guitar of Roger McGuinn

DVD

by Roger McGuinn

This is one of only a very few video lessons available that feature the 12-string guitar ... and by one of the most reknowned 12-string players on the planet. Roger teaches you how to play Turn,Turn, Turn, Mr. Tambourine Man, Eight Miles High and On Easter Morn He Rose, among others ... with special Rickenbacker 12-string tips ... how to change strings ... and how to change the battery and adjust the truss rod, too!

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Alternate Tunings :

The Complete Book of Alternate Tunings

by Mark Hanson

Reveals Hanson's more elaborate, and very commendable, effort on the subject ...

The Alternate Tunings Guide for Guitar

by Mark Hanson

Hanson's "quickie" on the subject. If you want something basic, here's a good book for a great price.

Alternate Tunings Picture Chords

by Mark Hanson

Beginning Slide Guitar

by Mark Hanson

If you want to learn the basics of playing "Slide" guitar, or "Bottlenecking," this one will take care of you ... and at the right price, too!

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Finger Picking Patterns & Styles :

The Art of Solo Fingerpicking :
How to Play Alternating-Bass Fingerstyle Guitar Solos (Book & CD)

by Mark Hanson

The Art of Contemporary Travis Picking :
How to Play the Alternating-Bass Fingerpicking Style (Book & CD)

by Mark D. Hanson

Finger Picking Styles for Guitar

by Frances R. Donovan, Happy Traum

Beginning Fingerstyle Blues Guitar :
(Book & Audio CD)

by Arnie Berle, M. Galbo

"This book has made an incredible impact on my ability to play fingerstyle. I have no previous knowledge of playing fingerstyle and always thought it something that only extremely dedicated students could master. In just a couple months of playing the lessons in the book I'm already playing basic twelve bar blues that I would never have believed I could play. The book is very informative and has good easy beginning structure that leads to some rather complicated techniques." ~~dnovak@neo.rr.com - Kent, Ohio USA

Stefan Grossmans's Beginners' Fingerpicking Guitar

by Stephan Grossman

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Theory / Playing :

Nashville Numbering System

by Neal Matthews

If you haven't read my tutorial about this subject, it's right [HERE]

Chord Chemistry

by Ted Green

"Even though I play primarily blues and rock it's still tremendously helpful to know how to put together interesting chords. Many people think this is a jazz book, but it's a theory book. All genres of music can benefit from understanding theory. The book looks intimidating at first, but use Ted's first rule and be PATIENT, persist through the book, and you'll be the best guitarist on your block no matter what genre of music you play." ~~Bill Weinman - Dallas, Texas

Chord Workbook for Guitar Volume One :
Guitar Chords & Chord Progressions for the Guitar

by Bruce Arnold

You've just learned four new chords. How will you use them? Do they relate to each other in any way? How will you remember them? These are questions and problems that most beginning players encounter. This book addresses these problems by teaching chord progressions. (No man is an island, and neither is a chord.) Each chord is shown within the context of several different progressions, and most importantly, the theory behind these relationships and constructions is carefully and clearly explained. In addition, only the chords most often used by professional musicians are presented. The publisher's website, muse-eek.com also features a FAQ section where students can direct questions that may arise as they work to the author, and which are generally answered within two days. This book provides a solid basis of music theory for the serious student and is the required text at both New York University and Princeton University.

Fretboard Logic - I

by William Edwards

This book "... has a brilliant system that helps you understand the fretboard and how chords, scales etc are built up -- and with the minimum amount to memorize. The whole guitar neck, including building chords and seeing scales, has come alive for me with the help of this book." ~~Royston Young

Fretboard Logic - II

Fretboard Logic - III
Applications; Creative & Analytical

Fretboard Logic SE
Volumes I & II Combined

Pumping Nylon

by Scott Tennant

This book is very useful for developing strength and control of both hands. It's focus is on goal directed practice of left hand and right hand excercises - so don't buy it if you're looking for a book of music - but DO buy if you want to improve your technique, and you're willing to put regular focussed practice into achieving results. ~~David Jaques - Sydney, NSW Australia

The Complete Johnny Smith Approach to Guitar

by Johnny Smith

This book comes recommended by a friend of mine via my Acoustic Guitar Newsgroup: "I've used the Johnny Smith Approach to Guitar for years as a reference to chord resolution. Smith not only shows the chord construction, but usually tells how it is usually used. For example: The most common resolution for the +7b9 chord is a IV9 or IV6/9. The upper structure can be moved chromatically down with a fourth step bass line, creating the following pattern ... (The Johnny Smith Approach to the Guitar, Part II, p. 68). He then gives this pattern as well as a few other examples of the chord use in context. ~~ Brad Little

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Performing :

The Artist's Way :
A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity

by Julia Cameron

The Audition Process :
Anxiety Management and Coping Strategies (Juilliard Performance Guides, No 3)

by Stuart Edward Dunkel

Live Sound Reinforcement :
A Comprehensive Guide to P.A. & Music Reinforcement Systems

by Scott Hunter Stark

The Art of Practicing :
A Guide to Making Music from the Heart

by Madeline Bruser, Yehudi Menuhin

"This book has been so instructional for me that I reread it a couple of times every year. Aside from the helpful sections on the proper body mechanics important to all musicians, the real gist of the book is how to use relaxation and self-gentleness to get what you feel in your heart to be manifested in your music performance." ~~A reader from Sterling Heights, MI

Zen Guitar

by Philip Toshio Sudo

A student of Eastern philosophy and an avid guitar player, Philip Sudo realized that each of us carries a song inside that makes us unique. In "Zen Guitar", he shows readers how to find--and awaken--the song within. A great book.

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The Doctor Is In :

The Musician's Survival Manual :
A Guide to Preventing & Treating Injuries in Instrumentalists

by Richard Norris, M.D.

"I wish I'd found out about this book before I was ever injured. It not only acts as an aid in recovery, but also as a preventative means. It is easy to read, well-organized, and not only provides accurate and extremely helpful information, but also provides information on other relevant and useful resources." ~~Susan Green

You Are Your Instrument :
The Definitive Musician's Guide to Practice & Performance

by Julie Lyonn Lieberman, W. Donald Cooke

"This is the most helpful book I've ever read. It deals with everything a musician needs to know. It helped me learn how to memorize music more thoroughly, how to deal with stage fright, and how to protect my body from injury. I have given copies of it to all of my friends." ~~A reader from New York City

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The Alexander Technique :

Indirect Procedures :
A Musician's Guide to the Alexander Technique

by Pedro D. Alcatara

Introducing the principles and procedures evolved by F. M. Alexander (1869-1955). A comprehensive introduction to the Alexander Technique and its applications to all aspects of music-making -- from technique and sound production, to daily practice, concert preparation, and the mitigation of stage fright.

How to Learn the Alexander Technique :
A Manual for Students

by Barbara Conable

"This is a book to read with enthusiasm and attentiveness. It could influence profoundly a teacher's effectiveness with students ... A book of immediate usefulness to the performer and teacher, and one which will stimulate productive self-evaluation and awareness. It is persuasive and positive in tone, easy to read and wonderfully enticing." ~~Thomas Mastroianni, American Music Teacher

Complete Illustrated Guide/Alexander Technique :
A Practical Program for Health, Poise, and Fitness

by Glynn MacDonald, Glenn MacDonald

"I first learned about the Alexander Technique about 10 years ago and found it helped my chronic shoulder and neck problems and persistent pain. What I discovered was that I was causing my own problems - without being at all aware of it! It was, to say the least, a humbling experience but one I'm very glad to have gone through ... I would certainly recommend the Technique - and this book - to anyone with a stress-related condition. I would also suggest 2 other books: Fitness Without Stress by Rickover and How to Learn the Alexander Technique by Conable" ~~A reader from Tampa, Florida

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Children's Books :

Beginning Rock Guitar for Kids :

by Jimmy Brown

Here's a book geared specifically to the needs of younger beginners. From picking up the guitar for the first time to power chords to easy blues solos, it's all here, and it's all written in an easy-to-understand style for kids ages 10-14.

Kids' Guitar Songbook :
(Listen & Learn)

by Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer

Two of the most popular children's entertainers in the country help youngsters hone their guitar skills while having fun entertaining the whole family. This follow-up to Marcy Marxer's best-selling video Kids' Guitar will have children singing and playing a dozen songs, including: Comin' Round the Mountain * Magic Penny * Make New Friends * Harriet Tubman * Is Not, Is Too * Buffalo Gals * and more. Easy intermediate level.

Childrens's Guitar Chord Book :

by William Bay

This is a popular and creative method for teaching guitar to young children. From the beginning it integrates chord playing with note reading. The student starts with easy one finger chord forms and strums accompaniments to numerous songs. Note reading is then methodically and carefully introduced. Two subsequent volumes complete this course. The method features Ron Wheeler's colorful cartoon artwork. This package includes the companion instructional DVD video.

Classic Guitar for the Young Beginner :

by William Bay

Without a hint of condescension, this book/CD offers the young classic guitarist a thorough grounding in reading standard notation in first position. This book was written in the Mel Bay tradition of providing only enough music theory to understand what is required of the student at any given point in the book. Numerous studies and folksong melodies are presented with suggested chord changes for accompaniment by a teacher or a second student guitarist. Includes guides to purchasing a classic guitar, proper posture and hand positions, tuning the guitar, and much more. A companion CD is included. Written in standard notation only.

Kids Guitar 1

Kids Guitar 2 :

by Marcy Marxer

Children (and their parents and teachers) will be delighted with this lively, fun-filled, easy-to-follow video guitar course, our first devoted entirely to them! With clarity and lots of good humor, noted children's performer Marcy Marxer teaches basic chords and strums and gets your kids singing songs with their guitar.

Progressive Guitar Method/Intermediate :

by Gary Turner & Brenton White

Guitar instruction for intermediate, Progressive, young beginners.

SmartStart Guitar :
A Fun, Easy Approach to Beginning Guitar for Kids

by Jessica Baron Turner

Every kid wants to play guitar, and this innovative new instructional method lets them do just that! It's designed for use in the general music classroom, and is developmentally structured to get all beginning guitar students playing and singing from the very first lesson, no matter what their level of experience. Whether you have a small group or a classroom full of students, the Book/CD pak and the video will help you, the music teacher provide a quality musical experience, even if you are a beginner yourself! It's easy to use and before you know it, you'll be helping even young children to play well and build general music skills, one success at a time! For ages 5-10.

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