Hal Leonard Guitar Method, Complete Edition: Books & CD's 1, 2 and 3

This is a great bargain. I like the ring binding of this, it opens flat and can be folded backwards. The cds are great to hear what it is supposed to sound like.

I get discouraged purchasing a book and find out later it has one good section and the other is fluff. This book is like the "Best of" albums. I has great material through and through.

Although it may not be the only book you will need. It is the best material to start your music career.

Starts you off slow and takes you step by step through the rudiments of playing guitar. Would buy again.

Warning - Those who wish to learn the fingerpicking style of guitar should not purchase this book. On page 6 it shows how to hold a pick in your right hand, and that's it. If you don't want to use a pick, get a different book.

I'm sure, looking at all the reviews this is a great book, but not what I or others may want. so I wrote this as a heads up for those who wish to use a fingerpicking style.

This is the book where I thought "I've finally found it!"

After having picked up the guitar around a year ago, playing around with what instructional materials I could find online and via tabs for some of my favorite songs I gave it up. I was able to get down several chords and play along with a few songs, but I never felt like I really understood what I was doing, other than parroting something I'd seen online.

I got the urge to play again this summer, and after reading a few reviews decided on this book.

It's exactly what I was looking for, as it "formalizes" the learning of each specific string, and then has examples to practice what you've just learned. I already have learned to read music from playing other instruments (over a decade ago), but it's still very different for a guitar than the other instruments I've played.

The CDs are excellent as well, and really let you make sure you're on track as you play along with the beat/instrumentation.

The graduated pace also helps for when you have trouble with a harder exercise, you can go back to where you learned the technique for the portion you're having difficulty with, practice for a bit, then come back to the more advanced lesson and work through it.

Definately a great book, I've just gotten to the 6th string tonight, and my fingers are feeling the burn.