The Skeptical Guitarist - Music Principles for the Skeptical Guitarist Volume One

WonderMonkey · #1 05-30-2018, 10:04 PM

I decided to buy into “a guy” who was well recommended for speaking plainly and explaining things that someone like myself, a very non-musician, can understand. I got the first guitar book and the first music theory book, with intentions on getting the second one in both if I felt there is value.

The one titled “Music Principles for the Skeptical Guitarist Volume One: The Big Picture” arrived today. It’s recommended that the book “Guitar From Scratch” was absorbed first, but I’m not a complete beginner so felt I’d go through them both at once, sortof. Since the Music Principles book arrived today I began to go through it. I’m not just going to go from end to end and be done, I’m going to study it, and the contents within. I’ve gone through some musical theory before, and forgotten it, then gone through it again, and forgotten it, etc. so now that I have more time to play and stay on it, I figured I’d go back to square one and take the time to really get into it. Not sure how deep I’ll ultimately go, but we shall see.

I can tell you that already I enjoy Bruce Emery, the “Skeptical Guitarist” approach. His style is talking to you, a bit of humor, and a bunch or reality. He’s not trying to impress you, he is trying to TEACH you at a level that you can understand. This first book is all about getting you to a certain depth on the topics then moving on. In the second book, he will start over and dive deeper.

Already some things I “knew” are now clicking, all because of his approach. Like any book, this approach isn’t for everyone. Some won’t connect with it. So far, I am.

http://www.skepticalguitarist.com/sk...ks/volume1.htm

jeanray1113 · #2 05-31-2018, 11:18 PM

I've recommended his books many times, here and elsewhere. I became acquainted with his work well past the beginner stage but wanting to acquire a better understanding of music theory. I have learned so much from him.

Beakybird · #3 06-03-2018, 10:14 AM

Bought a used copy of volume 1 on Amazon. Thanks for the FYI.

JAMKC · #4 06-06-2018, 09:12 PM

Ordered one today.

Beakybird · #5 06-07-2018, 10:21 AM

Mine arrives tomorrow. Did I throw away good money?Count me as skeptical.

Beakybird · #6 06-09-2018, 03:45 PM

For me, with years of piano and guitar, there's little to learn in this first book, but just enough to make it fun to browse through. He explains concisely some concepts that I simply intuited.
I highly recommend it for beginner-intermediate.
I'll buy book 2.

SprintBob · #7 06-10-2018, 01:56 PM

Great books, very enjoyable writing style.

JBCROTTY · #8 06-20-2018, 05:18 PM

I have this book as well and it was valuable. I found that taking it in small chunks helped learn it and retain it.

thechariot1x · #9 06-26-2018, 02:42 PM

Just ordered this book last night (as a reward for pulling an all nighter to finish my last papers for summer classes). So if you all have advice on how to use it, hit me with it haha

Clallam · #10 06-27-2018, 03:23 AM

You'll get the most out of it by reading it with your guitar in your hands and playing everything. That will help you learn to associate the theory with both the sound and with the locations/patterns of stuff on the fretboard.

KDepew · #11 06-28-2018, 10:12 AM

Thanks for the share!

WonderMonkey · #12 08-17-2020, 06:43 PM

I now have four of his books.

Guitar From Scratch
Music Principles for the Skeptical Guitarist Volume One: The Big Picture
Music Principles for the Skeptical Guitarist Volume Two: The Fretboard
Blues Guitar from Scratch

I highly recommend them and each time I go into something that he has a topic on, I'll buy that book.

rick-slo · #13 08-17-2020, 11:14 PM

These type of books just never worked for me. I have his "Jazz for the Skeptical Guitarist" but it's one tidbit after another after
another all out of context of actual pieces of music except chord sequences, but to those who enjoy that more power to you.

SprintBob · #14 08-18-2020, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick-slo

These type of books just never worked for me. I have his "Jazz for the Skeptical Guitarist" but it's one tidbit after another after
another all out of context of actual pieces of music except chord sequences, but to those who enjoy that more power to you.

I can appreciate this viewpoint but I wonder if the jazz book might work for someone who wants to “dip their toe” into jazz theory. I’ve not looked at that book and base this solely on my experience with the first book.

WonderMonkey · #15 08-18-2020, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick-slo

These type of books just never worked for me. I have his "Jazz for the Skeptical Guitarist" but it's one tidbit after another after
another all out of context of actual pieces of music except chord sequences, but to those who enjoy that more power to you.

They may work for me as I use them while I'm also using an in-person instructor. We work on something and quite often the same information is in the book from a different direction, and it helps me. If I was trying to learn to play just by using the book, I may not be so hot on them.