Ultimate Beginner Bluegrass Guitar Basics: Book & Online Audio (The Ultimate Beginner Series)

I purchased the companion DVD to this book almost a year ago and never even opened it until last week. After watching the DVD and learning quite a bit after the first few minutes into it, I decided I needed the book. The book follows almost exactly with the DVD, but goes further in detail. Plus there's quite a few more songs in the book that are not on the video. I still haven't listened to the included CD, I'll try that in my car tomorrow morning. A few things that I probably should mention that I haven't seen reviewed here yet. Not all the tablature in the book matches exactly with the DVD. On the DVD you can print the included tablature which is correct. Also, this book is meant for beginners but I think you might have a little difficulty if you don't already know how to read tab or music. I already have 30 years of banjo picking under my belt, so I kinda have a head start. Oh yeah, and the solos sound awesome! I know that a lot of beginner songs in some books sound like a newbie picker. These solos in this book sound like a pro yet are still simple enough for a beginner to scratch out. Definitely one of the best instructional books I've ever spent my money on. Totally recommend it!!!

Along with exercises to learn hammer-ons, pull-offs, and really cool licks, he shows how to both pick single notes AND strum in sequence, allowing you to basically accompany yourself.....I have another tutorial that is only flatpicking, single notes, and it didn't meet my need, which is to play alone, and have a nice, full sound while doing it.The author provides a rhythm tablature sheet, and a separate melody tablature sheet for several (very common) bluegrass/old time songs, then exercises using these songs... "Soldiers Joy", "Wildwood Flower", "Cumberland Gap", "Boil the Cabbage Down", "Cripple Creek", "Old Joe Clark"...etc.The cd has music to play along with, with the melody on one side of the audio track, and the rhythm on the other. He plays the entire tune. One could take "Soldiers Joy" for example, and simply practice the rhythm over and over till you perfect it. Then do the same for the melody. Then go to another song.....

This was recommended to me by a friend. I have only scratched the surface as far as progress on flat picking goes but I can tell you that there is little chance of finding anything as good and easy to understand as this. Perfect for beginners and more experienced players alike. No matter your skill level you’ll want to start from the beginning and follow along word by word. It’s basically boot camp for bluegrass guitar.

This book is great for somebody who is already a somewhat accomplished guitar player and familiar with reading music notation and rhythm. I would definitely suggest that a beginning guitarist first studies at least two levels or higher of the Alfred's Beginner Series for guitar, or of any other series, before attempting this book. I am a beginning guitarist, and this book progresses way too fast. Advanced Bluegrass techniques are already introduced in the very beginning and not feasible for a beginning guitar player. It is written in basic notation and tablature, which I find excellent. The selection of music is very attractive. I will attempt this book again, after my skills on the guitar have improved.

As a beginning bluegrass guitar advocate, I find this book to be an absolute must have for any "student".. I had purchased numerous books/CDs prior to obtaining this book...I wish I had known about this book/CD sooner. The contents of the book are clear and easily understood. I highly recommend the book to anyone who wants to learn bluegrass guitar. Be aware, there is an additional CD from Dennis Caplinger (Bluegrass Guitar Basics & Beyond) that I also highly recommend.

i have the banjo book....i got this for my guitar playing friends so they could play along

Great basic guide

Great instructional book

Wenn jemand keine Ahnung von Bluegrass spielen hat, trifft sie/er hier ins Schwarze! Ich habe mir gestern Nacht die komplette CD angehört und dabei die dazu gehörigen Stücke im Buch angeschaut.Leider war''s schon weit nach 0:00Uhr; es hat mich schon sehr in den Fingern gejuckt sofort mitzumachen.Besonders für jemanden, die/der nur über Anfängerkenntnisse des Gitarre spielens verfügt, ist es ein leichtes sich einzuarbeiten und für den Selbstunterricht bestens geeignet.Caplinger geht Schritt für Schritt vor und steigert dabei das Tempo.Es ist unglublich mit wie wenigen Chords man schon so einiges spielen kann (B,C,D,G,A), dass sich nach entsprechendem Üben richtig super, um nicht zu sagen professionell,anhört!Und wie er im Buch schreibt: Listen, listen,listen!!! Je besser man es im Ohr hat wie es klingen sollte um so eher bekommt man auch für das eigene Spiel ein Gefühl.Und falls jemand unterstützend visuelle Reize braucht, findet man die im [...] zur Genüge.Ein rundum gelungenes Lehrbuch für Anfänger!Ich will Euch noch was sagen besonders die älteren Jahrgänge unter den Leser/innen betreffend: Ich bin jetzt 56 J. alt und fang jetzt nochmal richtig an, einfach weil's Spaß macht!Also, egal wie alt oder jung Ihr seid: Haut in die Saiten, übt und habt Spaß! Es ist nie zu spät, um was Neues anzufangen.

Wonderful book to learn flatpick style playing. I’ve already learnt to flatpick in under2 months with this. Comes with a CD with demo tubes which is really invaluable to perfect your technique. Lots of exercises too. Brilliant.

Happy with purchase