As a teacher, my goal is to give my students the tools they need to further their education on their own. I wrote my book Understanding The Chords after a student told me how frustrated he was both with the names of chords and the trouble finding clear explanation on the internet. Why do you need to understand chords? The guitar player's job is to play chords. Even if you are the primary soloist in a group, it is your understanding of chords that will allow you to play with power and intention. Understanding The Chords is the secret to mastering the guitar. A list of the most influential guitarists in the last hundred years would have to include Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian, T-Bone Walker, Merle Travis, Chuck Berry, Scotty Moore, Chet Atkins, B.B King, Les Paul, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, David Gilmour, Mark Knopfler, Angus Young, Eddie Van Halen, Stevie Ray Vaughan...the list could go on and on.
What do they have in common? All of these great guitarists used chords as the foundation for their improvisations. And it's not just that chords were happening while they soloed. They used the individual notes from the chords as their solos. The best guitarists target chord tones when they solo.
The first purpose of this book is to teach you the chords. Not just to play them, but to understand them. Why are they called what they're called? How might you use them? Do you even need to know them?
I'll answer all those questions. You'll know which chords you're likely to use, you'll know how to play any chord you'll ever want and if you write your own music you'll know what to call any chord you can dream up.
You'll also learn to understand the guitar and the music you play. You'll learn about notes, keys, scales, modes, arpeggios and strategies for soloing. You'll learn enough music theory to really play. With this book, you'll know what to do with the chords you learn. I'll begin by covering the basics so even a beginner will be able to follow along. More advanced players can skip ahead or use the introductory chapters as review. By the end of the book, all readers will have the confidence that only comes from understanding music and knowing their instrument.
Understanding The Chords is the result of over 20 years of professional playing and teaching experience. With time, provided you practice with dedication, there is enough information here to take you from the level you are now to being a professional guitarist yourself.
Served areas
- Central Maine
Highlights and features
- A structured approach to learning the guitar, with an emphasis on improvisation.
Associations and certifications
- Guitar Instructor at University of Maine Farmington
- Guitar Instructor at Musician's 1st Choice, Augusta ME
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It's difficult to become an advanced player without knowing music theory, but where does one learn that? It's taught in college, and you have to read music. What about notes? You'll learn where they are on the guitar, but you won't find any written notation in this book. Obviously, the more you know about chords, the more choices you'll have when playing rhythm.
This is almost as good as having my teacher's brain in a book. I read music very minimally and have only a tiny grasp of formal theory--this book makes sense to me in terms of practical guitar application. I will probably use it for as many years as my hands will work to play the instrument. I received this book about two weeks ago.
For $30 - about the price of a single guitar lesson - you can have access to years worth of instructional material and music theory. But I'll bet you'd you like to see more of the actual text and graphics before you decide to part with your hard earned cash. Well, you can! Visit AMAZON.COM and use their "search inside the book" feature to look things over before you buy.
People
Steven Alan Lynnworth
Musician, Teacher and Author
I started playing guitar at age 17 and studied with Boston area jazz great Gerry Beaudoin and blues virtuoso Ronnie Earl, among others. I've been playing professionally for over 20 years on stages from Bar Harbor to Boston, to Beale Street in Memphis Tennessee.
My goal as a musician and as a guitarist is to be a good teacher. If your goal is to become a better guitarist, I hope my book helps you achieve it.
My goal as a musician and as a guitarist is to be a good teacher. If your goal is to become a better guitarist, I hope my book helps you achieve it.
Reviews (2)
Danny Jones
Paul Thibeault