Cutting Edge Series: Rock Guitar: Guitar Book & CD

Energy and experimentation define this collection. You'll encounter the angular rhythms of ska, the fluid slides of surf rock, the percussive attack of hip-hop influenced lines, and the textural possibilities of psychedelic and avant-garde approaches. Each style demands something different from your hands and ears.

Guitar students ready to move beyond standard repertoire and explore current sonic territory. This works best for players with foundational technique who are curious about how modern rock pushes technique and style in different directions.

• Study the photographs and artist background before tackling each style section. Understanding the context behind ska, surf, or psychedelic rock shapes how you approach the feel and articulation.
• Use the CD as a reference tool for tone quality and timing. Pause and replay individual licks multiple times to internalize the attack, sustain, and release specific to each genre.
• Start slowly with TAB while listening to the recording at performance tempo. This builds the bridge between reading and ear training that contemporary rock styles demand.

Integrate this as supplemental material during a rock or contemporary music unit. Students can explore one style per week or pick chapters that match their interests, building ownership over their own learning. The real-world artist focus also works well as a bridge between classical training and modern listening habits.

• Reading standard notation and TAB simultaneously across diverse rhythmic styles
• Interpreting genre-specific articulation, dynamics, and tone production
• Recognizing and executing distinctive lick patterns in ska, surf, rap-influenced, hip-hop-influenced, acoustic, psychedelic, and avant-garde rock
• Listening critically to recorded performances and translating what you hear into playing technique