From Library Journal
It isn't often that a book with "total" in its title delivers, but this is one of the exceptions. Burrows is a prolific writer on all things guitar (e.g., K.I.S.S. Guide to Playing Guitar), and his latest covers everything. Part 1, on playing, contains 20 lessons, each introducing new ideas and techniques and fully illustrated with color photos. Chords, scales, timing, and rhythm are a few of the topic covered. In Part 2, there is a complete chord dictionary with notation and fingering charts. Part 3 discusses amplifying the guitar (whether acoustic or electric) and, finally, recording and performing. Sprinkled throughout the text are brief biographical portraits of great players with details of their equipment and a discography of their key recordings. This is an absolutely first-rate production, with glossy paper stock, full-color photos and illustrations throughout, and a quality binding. In all, a lot of book for the price; highly recommended for public libraries.Eric C. Shoaf, Brown Univ. Lib., ProvidenceCopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

FROM OUR EDITORS

Whether your goal is to learn how to strum the chords of a few favorite songs or to master the nuances of more complicated styles like flamenco or slide guitar, this comprehensive illustrated guide provides an irresistible mix of instruction and encouragement. Guitar guru Terry Burrows, whose bestselling tutorials have been translated into six languages, steers beginners through a daunting maze of equipment, theory, and techniques, providing basic information in 20 easy-to-follow, self-contained lessons generously illustrated with photographs and diagrams.

In addition to these lessons, the book also provides a 36-page chord dictionary; information on various styles from classical and blues to country, rock, and jazz; a brief history of the guitar and profiles on pioneer players, including Chet Atkins, B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix, and Charlie Christian; and a concluding section on performing and recording your own music. 8 1/2" x 11". Color photos and illustrations.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Add one guitar and this ultimate course to become an accomplished musician in no time at all! Whether you're dreaming of being a professional, or just want to have fun singing and strumming, you can trade air guitar for a real one with this guide full of instruction and inspiration. The heart of the book: a playing section, divided into 20 self-contained lessons, each introducing new ideas and techniques. And, they cover a range of styles: rock, folk, country, jazz, blues, and classical. You'll start right at the beginning, with how to stand and sit properly while holding the instrument, and find out how to tune it, do fingerpicking, master timing and rhythm, and improvise. An extensive chord dictionary contains over 1,000 chord fingerings. Bonus: biographical portraits of the pioneer greats, like Les Paul, Jimi Hendrix, and Keith Richards, with details of their equipment and a discography of their key recordings.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal