Guitar for the Absolute Beginner, Complete: Guitar Book & DVD (Hard Case)

Susan Mazer's instruction prioritizes accessibility without sacrificing real musicianship. Students move from open chords to actual songs in the first sessions, which means motivation stays high and practice feels purposeful rather than mechanical. The included DVD transforms what could feel like a dense instructional book into something you can actually watch and follow at your own pace.

Encouraging and straightforward. Mazer meets beginners exactly where they are, with patience built into every explanation. You'll feel the relief of playing recognizable songs quickly, which transforms guitar from an intimidating instrument into something genuinely playable.

Someone who has never touched a guitar and wants to start making actual music immediately, without committing to private lessons first. This method works equally well for hobby learners of any age and for students who prefer self-paced instruction at home.

• Spend time on the chord transitions before moving forward. Clean switches between chords matter far more than speed, and the songs in this book reward patience with that skill.
• Use the DVD to check your hand position and finger placement. Watching yourself against the video catches tension and awkward angles that you might not notice solo.
• Reference the chord dictionary during practice, not just during song learning. Familiarity with those 48 chords becomes your foundation for everything else you'll play.

Use this for students taking up guitar independently or as a supplementary resource in classroom guitar units where you need individual learners to progress at different speeds. The hard case protects the book and DVD through regular use, making it practical for passing between students or carrying home consistently.

• Basic open chord shapes and transitions
• Strumming patterns and rhythmic consistency
• Fingerpicking technique and finger independence
• Reading guitar notation and chord diagrams
• Simple lead guitar lines and single-note melodies
• Basic improvisation within chord progressions