Blues Solos For Acoustic Guitar Guitar Books

Customer Reviews

Great, but not for beginners

2007-12-28
This is a very good book. You'll learn some solid technique along with some surprisingly good solos (that really sound like solos and not just excercises)designed to put those new techniques to use. But as other reviewers have noted, the material here is not for beginners. I've been playing for over 40 years and playing some of these pieces up to Mr. Norris' speed was a challenge. A couple of things would have made the CD a little better: 1. some of the tracks are mistitled (easy enough to change), and 2. it would have been helpful to be able to play against backing tracks and not just along with Mr. Norris. Still, this was a worthwhile investment.

Has helped expand my playing.

2007-12-26
I agree with others here that this is not for fresh beginners and that a basic familiarity with chords and blues scales is very helpful. The first several pick based tunes are pretty easy. The songs based on alternating bass finger picking is where both the challenge and the gain began for me. Having (sadly) never played this style before, I had initial difficulty getting used to the steady thumb lines, but after a couple weeks of practice, the alternating bass method felt much more natural and has expanded my ability and the direction of my playing a great deal. Once I had the finger style bass technique down somewhat comfortably, I again began learning the songs more quickly. I consider myself an intermediate player, someone who has played for a long time but has never moved beyond rhythmic strumming and very basic lead stuff. I've been working on this material for two or three very enjoyable months and have improved noticeably. Recommended.

Helped alot

2007-08-05
Not a beginners book. Before going thru this book I considered myself an intermediate guitar player. This book has greatly developed my fingerstyle ability. If you are already fair on guitar and want to learn fingerstyle blues tunes this is your book. First 8 songs not to hard but sound good. Last 10 songs all fingerstyle alternating thumb base with index, middle and ring fingers playing melody. Songs progressively get harder as he introduces and builds on each technique. It took me some serious practicing but I'm now hooked on fingerstyle acoustic.

Blues Solos for Acoustic Guitar: In Tablature & Standard Notation (Guitar Books)

2006-02-27
Great book...Very well explained and very fun to play. The licks are basic, but author/performer uses them skillfully and demonstrates that these same licks can be used very powerfully if done within the timing of the song.

Also, the "catchiness" of the tunes will have you practicing everyday. Some of the later pieces are quite challenging (especially if you're new to the blues genre). The first five pieces are Beg-intermediate level (a beginner will not have the fret hand speed required for a smooth sounding tune). The rest of the tunes are quiet challenging, but if you listen to the CD (and memorize the first four pieces)I'm sure that a guitar enthusiast will like the quality of the arrangements because they are truly blues inspired.

Cons:
Author/performer has an accent, difficult to understand sometimes
Sometimes author/performer plays to fast in the later pieces when demonstrating
Some of the standard notation is wrong in song introduction.
Author/performer uses guitar symbols in standard notation that are not referenced in book.
I don't believe a beginner can handle the first song easily as the book assumes (not the riffs but the licks), so, beginners beware!
Guitarist should have modest practice of either a moveable blues and minor pentatonic scales.

One of the Best Acoustic Books Available

2004-03-10
Songs you actually want to learn to play! Not a lot of theory, but hands-on learning. Acoustic finger-picking that is fun! I hope the author writes another soon.

The best fingerstyle blues tutor available

2000-02-27
Sixteen easy blues solos in standard notation and tablature, compiled and played on accompanying CD. Plus tips on how to prepare for and perform each solo.

Blues Solos for Acoustic Guitar

1999-12-22
Excellent book for beginners or for those who have training but would like to try playing the blues.