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General Guitar Instruction Books

Learning to play the guitar doesn't happen overnight, but there's no need for it to be an ordeal, either. The easiest way to set yourself up for success and a rewarding experience is to get prepared with the resources it takes to learn at your own pace - resources which include a variety of general guitar instruction books. The titles you'll find in this section cover a lot of ground, from broad-based guides training high-level guitar concepts to specific manuals that can help even experienced guitarists brush up on some advanced techniques. No matter how skilled a guitar player you are, there's almost certainly something here for you to learn.

If you're a beginner, you might choose a title like the Hal Leonard Fender Presents Getting Started On Electric Guitar Premium Pack Book/CD/DVD to put yourself on the right track from the first note you play. Looking to improve your jamming skills? Backbeat Books' A Player's Guide to Chords and Harmony Book can probably help you out. Or maybe you'd like to study the method pioneered by a bona fide guitar hero. In that case, there are instruction books that take in-depth looks at the careers of music legends; for instance, check out the MJS Music Publications Phrase By Phrase Guitar Method - Randy Rhoads (with Ozzy Osbourne).

One glance through the lineup of general guitar instruction books is enough to see that many of them are bundled with companions CDs and DVDs that provide interactive lessons to help you learn. But if you'd like something that gives you a hand even more directly, be sure to check out some of the books that come with the ChordBuddy system. It's an accessory that fits over the neck of your guitar, providing tactile feedback to help you position your fingers correctly. That way, you can build up the muscle memory required for perfect finger placement every time you hold a chord.

All in all, it goes without saying that you're the one who knows your learning needs best, and of course, only you can decide what techniques you want to develop or improve next. So keep your learning aspirations and goals at the top of your mind when you browse through these general guitar instruction books, and you'll definitely find a few options that look just right for you. They'll be some of the best teachers you could ask for - apart from a human one, of course!