Alfred's Basic Guitar Method 2: Guitar CD

This CD transforms method book practice from a solitary exercise into an interactive experience. Students hear professional accompaniments in multiple styles (pop, rock, blues, country, folk) that make every exercise feel like an actual song, which sustains motivation across the often-plateauing early weeks of guitar study.

The arrangements capture the energy of actual songs rather than sterile practice exercises. You'll hear crisp rhythm sections, clear melodic lines, and production that respects the student's intelligence while remaining accessible at an early level. Every track sounds like something worth playing, not just something worth practicing.

Beginning guitarists working through Alfred's Basic Guitar Method 2 who benefit from hearing how exercises should sound before and after they're mastered. Teachers using this method in group or private settings will find the CD invaluable for keeping students engaged and modeling correct phrasing, rhythm, and tone.

• Play along with the full accompaniment version first to internalize the groove, then switch to the backing track alone to develop independence.
• Match the tempo on the recording rather than slowing down; if a track feels too fast, loop just the first phrase until it locks in.
• Listen to how the recorded guitarist interprets chord transitions and rhythm patterns, then isolate those moments in your own playing.
• Use the CD as a diagnostic tool by comparing your timing and tone quality against the professional performance, marking sections that need refinement.

Assign specific tracks as weekly listening homework alongside printed method pages, asking students to identify chord changes by ear before seeing them on the page. During group lessons, use the backing tracks as ensemble play-alongs to build confidence and rhythm precision before students perform for peers.

• Chord transition accuracy and fluidity
• Rhythmic consistency when playing against a steady accompaniment
• Listening discrimination between bass lines, chord voicings, and melody
• Confidence in playing across multiple musical styles (pop, rock, blues, country, folk)
• Recognition of how fingering positions connect to chord shapes