The Guitar Collection, Pop & Rock: '70s & '80s: Guitar TAB Edition Book

Opening this book is like walking into a rock and pop archive that spans the glitter and excess of the '70s through the synthesizer-driven energy of the '80s. You'll find yourself playing riffs that shaped entire subgenres, from the funk-metal aggression of Motorhead to the sophisticated arrangements of Fleetwood Mac and Journey, each page offering a different window into how guitarists approached their instrument during these transformative decades.

Guitarists at intermediate and advanced beginner levels who want to play songs they know and love without getting bogged down in complex arrangements. Players building their repertoire for recitals, jam sessions, or simply personal satisfaction will find this collection packed with material that sounds substantial and feels rewarding to execute. Whether you're teaching yourself or working with an instructor, the span of styles and eras ensures something here will speak to your musical interests.

• Use the complete lyrics as a reference when learning passages; many of these songs derive their groove from vocal phrasing, and matching that intent transfers directly to your playing.
• Cross-reference the TAB with the standard notation above it when available; this builds your ability to read both systems simultaneously and strengthens your overall literacy.
• Study the original recordings alongside your work on the transcriptions to catch dynamics, tone choices, and rhythmic inflections that TAB alone cannot capture.
• Work through arrangements at a tempo where you can execute techniques cleanly, then gradually build speed; rushing these classics will muddy the details that made them memorable.

Use individual tracks as recital solos, choosing pieces that match your technical level and musical voice; a player drawn to funk might lean on Parliament or James Brown while someone chasing melodic sophistication might select Journey or Toto. Group these songs thematically by decade or genre for a program that traces the evolution from groovy '70s vibes into the polished production of the '80s. For ensemble contexts, many of these titles work well as lead guitar features when paired with rhythm section support.

• Reading guitar TAB alongside standard notation
• Recognizing and executing genre-specific rhythmic patterns (funk, rock, disco, new wave)
• Understanding fretboard geography across multiple registers
• Translating vocal phrasing and dynamics into instrumental expression
• Performing riffs and lead lines that balance technical demand with musical authenticity