Acoustic Guitar Styles
For many, the acoustic guitar is basic to their favorite music. For others, playing acoustic guitar is a way of reducing stress and promoting well-being. For either group, this book will be of interest. Tailoring his text to those who have mastered acoustic guitar rudiments, know a few chords, and are learning how to make changes cleanly, experienced instructor Sandberg (The Acoustic Guitar Guide) teaches more advanced solo techniques in old-time music styles (e.g., country, blues, ragtime, and bluegrass). Suggestions for practice appear throughout. While the text is clear and helpful, it is the notation, along with the accompanying CD (to which this reviewer did not have access), that best conveys the sense of how the music should sound, including the proper phrasing of passages and approaches to single-note soloing. What sets this guide apart from others are its focus on old-time music and the CD. Given that the O Brother, Where Art Thou soundtrack, which showcases American roots music, won Album of the Year at this year's Grammy Awards, this book could prove to be quite successful. Recommended. Eric C. Shoaf, Brown Univ. Lib., ProvidenceCopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.