Others say...

"Book with good lessons"
I originally skipped the lessons in this book, in favor of just playing all of the tabbed out studies. Big mistake! The lessons are very well graded, and move at a comfortable pace (the studies kind of throw you in to the thick of things, a bit overwhelming for a beginner). As a teacher, I have used this book to help students out with their technique, performance, and theory.

The actual blues that it does teach is very much on the cliche side of things, but the lessons will have a universal appeal towards other types of music, especially as far as the theory goes. Because of this I have to grade this book with 5 stars, because it is really one of the best in this regard, and with a good mix of learning and playing, it is a great choice for learning and understanding the guitar.

Daniel Page, Guitar Instruction

"Great book for learning to play guitar and blues"
This book is recommended by teachers and advanced guitar players for learning blues although it also allows to improve general aspects not only related to the blues. It is a good way to understand the basics of blues and some of its styles. Some previous knowledge and experience are needed but the book can be followed by beginners.

Each chapter is divided into three parts. Part one is dedicated to scales. Minor and major pentatonic scales are described and studied. Part two shows how to play chords and progressions and to apply them to blues and other songs. Part three is a study or song in which the author introduces techniques as bending, sliding, and so on. The studies are given in musical notation and also tablature.

An advantage of this book is that the author, John Ganapes, answers some questions in his own web and also gives some tips on how to practice and how to play the studies. The learning can be continued with More Blues You Can Use or Jazzin' the Blues by the same author.

"Stellar learnings on blues rock!"
I have only been playing guitar for about a year so am still entry level. I knew the major chords and some others before picking up this great book. I would say it is NOT a raw beginner's book as others have said but it is an entry-level book for those who have at least tinkered with the guitar for a couple of months. The content is very easy to comprehend and simply takes some practice to master. It is laid out perfectly and the instructions couldn't be more straight forward...just do what Mr. Ganapes says and you'll be on your way! This is definitely a blues rock course though and not traditional acoustic blues. I play it on my acoustic (as well as the electric) and it sounds great, but not traditional. I highly recommend this to anyone interested in playing blues rock music on guitar!

"Good Workbook"
This is a good workbook for an advanced beginning guitar student. It's not for the pure beginner. Anyone just starting should learn the basics first: open position chords, bar chords, scales, etc. before they crack open this book.

As you can imagine the book starts off pretty easy with some simple rhythms and chords. It introduces different scales along the way and said scales are then used in the sample tracks on the accompanying CD. Some of the exercises are very easy. Those towards the end of the book are much more difficult.

There is not much in this book about chords. Most teaches and provides exercises for picking. The student will learn various scales, alternate picking, string bending, slides, shifts among other fundamentals. After having worked through this book, the student will have developed the skills necessary to do some awesome blues soloing.


"Rhythm players who've given up, get this now!"
I've been playing blues & rock for at least 25 years and confess I'm still a "beginner" when it comes to lead. If you're like me, or if you are a real beginner, this is a great book to jump start you on the road to some very tasty but not impossible blues & rock lead.

20 plus lessons that you can work thru at the rate of 1 or 2 per week w/o killing yourself.

There is a sequel that is also excellent when you're done with this one.