Advancing Guitarist: Applying Guitar Concepts and Techniques

Rating:
Summary: A revelation.
Review: This book attacks all the most common 'holes' in any guitarist's playing. The biggest of the book is devoted to valuable theoretical and technical concepts, but has more abstract concepts throughout. Finally, there is a section entitled "short subjects" with little mick goodrick one-liners that is worth mentioning.

Rating:
Summary: Great book... but you must do the work
Review: This book is by far the most useful book I've purchased on improvisation for the guitar. It is particularly recommended for those who already have a good handle on chords and scales and are looking for a creative boost! It will not cause you to play like someone else, but will help and encourage you to develop your own voice. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Essential For All Improvisors
Review: This book is by far the most useful book I've purchased on improvisation for the guitar. It is particularly recommended for those who already have a good handle on chords and scales and are looking for a creative boost! It will not cause you to play like someone else, but will help and encourage you to develop your own voice. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Great book!
Review: This is a great book. It does not spell everything out for you but it does open many doors. It would take years to work through this book. Mick gives you enough on one page to keep you busy for months of diligent work. I feel this book is too much for a beginner but it is great for taking the intermediate to the next level.

Rating:
Summary: Great book!
Review: This is a great book. It does not spell everything out for you but it does open many doors. It would take years to work through this book. Mick gives you enough on one page to keep you busy for months of diligent work. I feel this book is too much for a beginner but it is great for taking the intermediate to the next level.

Rating:
Summary: Tough Love
Review: This is a great book... but, Goodrick refuses to do your thinking for you. He doesn't hold your hand. Goodrick basically shows you the kind of things you might want to think about... a lot of stuff. The thinking/practicing/etc. is up to you. If you're the kind who eats sleeps and breathes guitar/music... this book will stun you, infuriate you, dismay you, and inspire you. If you're a weekend guitarist looking for 'tips' and fun stuff to learn and tricks... I doubt this is your kind of book.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing...even for non-guitarists
Review: This is more of a casebook where you can read it backwards or forwards. The material is always relevant, deep and laced with humor. It doesn't treat you like an idiot and rewards you tenfold for the effort you put in. I'm a bassist, but find the comments, exercises and suggestions all relevent for improving your communication through Music, not just on the guitar either.

Rating:
Summary: Great book... but you must do the work
Review: This is not a method. It's a conceptual approach that helps you open your mind to the possibilities of the guitar. The book does not contain a lot of "practical application" examples. You have to figure out how you want to apply this material. The author explores the complexity of the guitar and puts it in perspective...an admirable achievement. Great observations and insight into the learning process. Deep stuff!

Rating:
Summary: Going to the Outer Limits
Review: This is not for the beginner or really barely for the intermediate. You have to know music theory and if you're the type that has to have everything spelled out for you then you won't like it. For example the vamps are not meant to be played exactly like they are written as one reviewer complained about. You need to be just a little creative. I've been playing for 30 + years and I've gotten through the first 2 chapters of this book and I've learned so much from it. My style has changed and everytime I solo I know there's a million directions to go in which I never did before. This book is great for those who think they have nothing left to learn and maybe in a stagnate period in their soloing. My regret is that this book wasn't available 20 years ago. Great Book!

Rating:
Summary: It's a great book
Review: This is probably the greatest guitar instructonal ever. What is the most amazing thing about this book, is that you can apply it to your playing no matter what level you are. I have owned this book for nigh on 6 years, and everytime I go back to it I learn a little more. It's written so well, and is so accesible, that you get out of it what you can, every time you look at it you might learn or realize something different. I have only heard Mick Goodrick play twice, but through thtis book, he has been one of the major influences on my playing. I recommend this book to anyone who truly wants to understand music on the guitar.