Total Rock Guitar : A Complete Guide to Learning Rock Guitar

Rating:
Summary: A Great Instructional Book!
Review: I purchased this book after trying out a few lessons in "Speed Mechanics for Lead Guitar", and I'm a very satisfied customer! I find Troy Stetina's teaching style to be very informative and effective. His lessons are comprehensive, challenging, and not to mention fun! I could see improvement in my playing ability very quickly. Stetina's explanations are easy to follow and engaging; his personality and passion is evident in his writing.
Structure-wise, this book is divided up into lessons, with each culminating in a song incorporating skills taught in that particular lesson and building on those taught in previous lessons. Each lesson focuses on a specific musical genre, such as punk, jazz, blues, metal, etc. A nice surprise is that I now have a new appreciation of these genres. Being primarily an alt/emo rock fan, I previously wouldn't have given much thought to blues, but now that I know a few concepts behind it, I have a newfound interest in it.
This is a great book to learn various styles of rock, full of technical exercises and some music theory. I wouldn't say this is an appropriate beginners book to learn music theory from though; there are some concepts explained that might be confusing if you don't know the basics. But if you're interested in learning chords and trying your hand at some soloing (and just want to play a song!) I definitely recommend this book, Total Rock Guitar, and other books by Troy Stetina.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best
Review: I've tried teaching with different methods, but this one is the most comprehensive and interesting. While it introduces the student to different styles of rock, it differs from many courses that start with a bluesier approach. Strong rhythm with power chords, rhythm riffs, and arpeggios is taught early. Lead playing is gradually worked in and not overempasized (it isn't underemphasized, for that matter). All in all, this is one heckuva balanced and entertaining course.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Perfect for The Intermediate Guitar Player
Review: Ive Been playing for almost a year and recently just got out of that dreaded beginner stage and found myself unsure on what direction i want to persue, Troy's book is incredibly comprehensive in its various rock styles. I found his lessons to be very fun and fulfulling, at the end of eah lesson i felt that i learned a whole 'nother style of rock guitar. This book is perfect for any player who is looking to expand from basic notes to a full catalog of musical options. Worth every penny!

Rating:
Summary: One of the best
Review: This book contains the basics of rock's power chords and the blues scale and progressions. It also has several songs printed in the book and a cd with the songs recorded with full accompanient also the channels are split up in a way that if you just want to hear the drums and bass turn the balance one way if you just want to hear the guitar turn it the other way. The info on the power chords and rock progressions and soloing is worth the price alone.

Rating:
Summary: Great guide for the beginner to intermediate rock guitarist
Review: This book contains the basics of rock's power chords and the blues scale and progressions. It also has several songs printed in the book and a cd with the songs recorded with full accompanient also the channels are split up in a way that if you just want to hear the drums and bass turn the balance one way if you just want to hear the guitar turn it the other way. The info on the power chords and rock progressions and soloing is worth the price alone.

Rating:
Summary: Geared toward the intermediate player!
Review: This book is probably geared toward the intermediate and beyond level player. I have two beginner instructional videos by troy stetina and they are excellent. I found myself a bit confused at times with this book but that had as much to do with my playing level not being up to the standards that his book requires. The cd is excellent with a wide array of styles from funk, metal, hard rock and 50s rockabilly. Troy is an excellent teacher and packs a lot of material in his books so you definitely will get your moneys worth!