How to Play Guitar: The Basics and Beyond - Chords, Scales, Tunes, and Tips

Rating:
Summary: Good book - easy to understand, nice diagrams and charts
Review: For a basic overview of guitar playing, this book does the trick, but the examples and explanations are not up to par. The CD is okay, but annoying because it all goes too quickly. I learned more from the Mel Bay Chord diagrams than from this book which supposedly explains guitar playing. A good fingerpicking section, but forget about their lead guitar sections, just a bunch of scales, no explanations or anything.

Rating:
Summary: Good book - easy to understand, nice diagrams and charts
Review: I found this to be a pretty decent book for showing you the basics of guitar playing, soloing, etc. It's probably better if you already know at least a little bit of guitar.. the ablsolute beginner might be a bit lost. Wicked finger picking section! One and 3/4 thumbs up!

Rating:
Summary: Only Fair
Review: Introduces topics without prior explanation. Little theory on how to apply the content. There's better books out there.

Rating:
Summary: The Book is okay but it's the CD that makes this a GOOD buy!
Review: Sure, the book goes over some of the basics and there are better books out there but I personally bought this for the CD. The CD has 3 blues jam tracks that allow you to wail away on your own improvised leads. Also, if you're having problems tuning your guitar both the book and the CD are a big help. Furthermore, for those of you who have trouble understanding all the little symbols and numbers that make up tablature, Larry Carlton completely defines how to play Tablature on his guitar as you listen to the CD and follow along in the book.