I Used to Play Guitar: Guitar Book & CD

This book meets returning players exactly where they are: rusty on technique but hungry to play better. Fisher structures the material so that review never feels condescending, and the progression from fundamentals into improvisation and music reading keeps motivation high throughout.

Picking up this book feels like reconnecting with an old friend who's excited to catch you up on what you've missed. There's the comfort of familiar material paired with the energy of discovering new possibilities on an instrument that once meant a lot to you.

This is designed for guitarists who took a break (sometimes a long one) and want to return with real momentum. Whether you stepped away for years or just a few months, you'll find the pacing respects what you already know while genuinely moving you forward.

• Work through the chord section methodically, testing each form on your own instrument before moving ahead. Your hands will remember faster than you think.
• The barre chord section deserves patient repetition. Set a practice goal of clean transitions between moveable shapes rather than aiming for speed.
• Use the included CD to ground your rhythm work. Playing along helps your internal timing recalibrate after time away from the instrument.
• When you reach the improvisation section, spend real time experimenting with just one or two scales before layering in stylistic variations.

Assign this as supplemental material to adult students or community members returning to guitar after a hiatus. It also works well for mixed-level guitar classes where some participants need review before tackling new ensemble work.

• Basic chord forms and transitions between chord shapes
• Barre chords and moveable chord structures
• Strumming patterns and rhythmic consistency
• Reading standard music notation on guitar
• Improvisation techniques and scale application
• Guitar maintenance and instrument care