Rock Guitar for Adults: Guitar Book & CD

Hurwitz understands that adult learners need clarity, encouragement, and immediately rewarding material. The combination of standard notation, TAB, large chord diagrams, and photographs removes common barriers to progress, while the included CD lets students hear exactly what they're working toward. Rock repertoire keeps motivation high because these are songs adults actually want to play.

Approachable and energizing. You start with practical chord shapes and move quickly into jamming and real song application rather than abstract exercises. The writing assumes intelligence and adult sensibilities while keeping the learning curve manageable.

Adult guitarists coming to the instrument for the first time, whether learning independently at home or working with an instructor. This method respects your existing musical taste and goals; you don't need to start with classical etudes or children's songs to build solid foundational skills in rock playing.

• Use the CD to internalize the rhythmic feel of each example before trying it at tempo. Hearing the groove first builds muscle memory faster than reading alone.
• When learning open chords, anchor one finger at a time rather than placing all fingers simultaneously. This reduces hand fatigue and prevents the discouragement of buzzing strings.
• Practice jamming sections with the CD accompaniment to develop timing and confidence in a musical context, not just technical accuracy.
• Alternate between the notation and TAB as you learn a new passage. If one representation feels clearer in the moment, follow that instinct.

This works as a standalone curriculum for a semester or full-year adult beginner guitar course, or as a supplementary resource in a community music school setting where adult students want to focus on rock styles. The theory section and technique chapters also serve classroom guitarists who want to deepen their understanding of why rock progressions and lead playing work the way they do.

• Reading standard notation and TAB simultaneously
• Forming and switching between open and barre chords
• Fingerpicking patterns for rhythm and texture
• Rock lead guitar techniques including bending, vibrato, and hammer-ons
• Recognizing and playing common rock scales and progressions
• Improvisation and jamming over chord changes
• Music theory fundamentals applied to rock songwriting