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jrich99 · March 21st, 2010, 08:56 PM

I have reached a plateau in my guitar playing, primarilly because I want to start songwriting and improvising but I don't understand the fretboard in relation to music theory well enough. I can play along with a bunch of songs, but I would like to create my own songs and solos. If you could recommend just one book or system for learning guitar music theory and guitar fretboard theory, what would it be?

I don't have a lot of knowledge, but I am not a total beginner. I would like a program that has lots of information available, but is not too complex to the point that it would be tought to discipline myself well enough to stick to. What book or DVD should I be looking at?

octatonic · March 21st, 2010, 09:09 PM

Howard Roberts Guitar Compendium is probably the best book for intermediate to advanced players to get to grips with imho.

jaybeemusic · March 21st, 2010, 09:30 PM

How to write songs on the guitar - Rikky Rooksby

This book is really good for helping you understand music theory as it applies to songwriting. I use it with my students all the time.

http://www.amazon.com/How-Write-Song.../dp/0879306114

hope this helps.

jacques

jrich99 · March 21st, 2010, 10:23 PM

Thank you for the input. I will definitely buy the "How to Write Songs on Guitar" book, as it sounds like a great deal. The Howard Roberts Guitar Compendium looks great, but I am not sure I am ready to spend that kind of money without more information on it.

Chris S. · March 21st, 2010, 11:31 PM

The most comprehensive method I've seen is the Modern Method for Guitar series (Vols. 1, 2 & 3) by William G. Leavitt, available through Amazon or Berklee Press. It may be more than you're looking for, but it will definitely give you a solid, logical approach to fretboard theory. Hope it helps, CS

jrich99 · March 21st, 2010, 11:43 PM

Thanks, Chris. I'll definitely check that out.

ldnelson · March 21st, 2010, 11:57 PM

I have used a book that may be helpful, it was for me. It's called "fingerboard Theory for Guitar: A Music Theory Text for Guitarists" by Mike Christiansen

jrich99 · March 22nd, 2010, 01:40 AM

Thank you. I will also look at that one.

Budda · March 22nd, 2010, 03:24 AM

Here's some good stuff. Very hands on and practical.

http://guitar411.com/p_diatonic.html

March 21st, 2010, 09:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
octatonic Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: May 2007 Location: An Australian in London. Age: 41 Posts: 6,417 29 Photos	Howard Roberts Guitar Compendium is probably the best book for intermediate to advanced players to get to grips with imho. __________________ http://www.jamesrichmond.com

March 21st, 2010, 11:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
Chris S. Super Moderator Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Near TELE-Town (Wash. DC) Posts: 4,900 11 Photos	The most comprehensive method I've seen is the Modern Method for Guitar series (Vols. 1, 2 & 3) by William G. Leavitt, available through Amazon or Berklee Press. It may be more than you're looking for, but it will definitely give you a solid, logical approach to fretboard theory. Hope it helps, CS __________________ "I go online sometimes, but everyone's spelling is really bad. It's depressing." – Tara, from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" "It was born at the junction of form and function." – Bill Kirchen, from "Hammer of the Honky-Tonk Gods"

March 21st, 2010, 11:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
ldnelson Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Madison, WI Age: 28 Posts: 150	I have used a book that may be helpful, it was for me. It's called "fingerboard Theory for Guitar: A Music Theory Text for Guitarists" by Mike Christiansen __________________ What you though was a hurricane was just the rustling of the wind. - Dr. Dog

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March 21st, 2010, 09:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
jaybeemusic TDPRI Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada Age: 36 Posts: 33	How to write songs on the guitar - Rikky Rooksby This book is really good for helping you understand music theory as it applies to songwriting. I use it with my students all the time. http://www.amazon.com/How-Write-Song.../dp/0879306114 hope this helps. jacques

March 22nd, 2010, 03:24 AM	#9 (permalink)
Budda Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Arkansas Posts: 876	Here's some good stuff. Very hands on and practical. http://guitar411.com/p_diatonic.html

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