If you've ever wanted to play guitar, this is the quick and easy way to learn. By the end of the 10 lessons you will be able to play chords and scales, improvise your own solos and finger pick and strum chords in every key. This clearly illustrated guide shows you all you need to get started playing the guitar, from getting to know the instrument, posture and reading tablature to playing advance chord extensions, scales and arpeggios. There are tips for perfect technique and innovative illustrations show you how to play even the most complicated-sounding chords. Easy-to-follow text helps you understand the relationship between notes and there is even a directory of over 250 chords for you to experiment with.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION LESSON 1 - BEFORE YOU START Learn how to choose, restring and tune your guitar. LESSON 2 - FIRST STEPS By the end of this lesson you' ll understand the different parts of the instrument, the correct posture and positions and be able to play simple scales. LESSON 3 - OPEN CHORDS AND FINGER WORK Start to play all the written chords and be able to make smooth changes. You will also begin understanding root notes and finger picking and strumming patterns. LESSON 4 - BASIC THEORY Musical theory taught the fun way. Learn about note relativity by playing tunes and scales. At-a-glance charts give you the quick route to finding the key of any tune. LESSON 5 - BARRE CHORDS Learn how to clearly fret barre chords to play over 120 new chords. Practise the fast location method and hone your technique with a variety of exercises. LESSON 6 - SCALES MADE EASY Fluently play scales using an alternate picking method. Soon you' ll be improvising using minor, pentatonic and Blues scales! LESSON 7 - SPECIAL SOLOING Time to play your own tunes using simple techniques. LESSON 8 - READING TABLATURE Definitive guide to reading tabs that you may find on the internet and in other books. Exercises show you how to improve your timing. LESSON 9 - CHORD EXTENSIONS, ARPEGGIOS AND NOTE RELATIVITY Understand chord theory and gain confidence in improvising. LESSON 10 - MUSICAL STYLES AND MOVING FORWARD Developing a broader appreciation of the guitar and its many musical facets. CHORD BIBLE The shapes of 276 important chords. INDEX

About the Author

Jon Buck has been teaching guitar for over 15 years. He studied the instrument under the tuition of legendary session player Colin Pincott from the age of 9 and has been playing publicly since he was 13. Jon' s extraordinary musical knowledge and virtuosity have enabled him to play and record extensively while continuing to teach students of all ages.

Prizes

INTRODUCTION LESSON 1 - BEFORE YOU START Learn how to choose, restring and tune your guitar. LESSON 2 - FIRST STEPS By the end of this lesson you' ll understand the different parts of the instrument, the correct posture and positions and be able to play simple scales. LESSON 3 - OPEN CHORDS AND FINGER WORK Start to play all the written chords and be able to make smooth changes. You will also begin understanding root notes and finger picking and strumming patterns. LESSON 4 - BASIC THEORY Musical theory taught the fun way. Learn about note relativity by playing tunes and scales. At-a-glance charts give you the quick route to finding the key of any tune. LESSON 5 - BARRE CHORDS Learn how to clearly fret barre chords to play over 120 new chords. Practise the fast location method and hone your technique with a variety of exercises. LESSON 6 - SCALES MADE EASY Fluently play scales using an alternate picking method. Soon you' ll be improvising using minor, pentatonic and Blues scales! LESSON 7 - SPECIAL SOLOING Time to play your own tunes using simple techniques. LESSON 8 - READING TABLATURE Definitive guide to reading tabs that you may find on the internet and in other books. Exercises show you how to improve your timing. LESSON 9 - CHORD EXTENSIONS, ARPEGGIOS AND NOTE RELATIVITY Understand chord theory and gain confidence in improvising. LESSON 10 - MUSICAL STYLES AND MOVING FORWARD Developing a broader appreciation of the guitar and its many musical facets. CHORD BIBLE The shapes of 276 important chords. INDEX