The Total Rock Guitarist: Guitar Book & CD

Raw and energetic, like stepping into a rehearsal studio with musicians who know their craft. The progression through different rock subgenres keeps the material fresh and engaging, rewarding players who stick with focused practice.

Beginning to intermediate guitarists who want to play music they actually care about, not generic exercises. Rock students benefit from having blues, funk, alternative, and metal covered in one place, so they can develop versatility without buying five different books.

• Use the backing tracks for each style to lock in groove and timing before performing with others. This builds the muscle memory for playing in a band context.
• Study the style-specific sections one at a time rather than jumping around. Let each genre sink in before moving to the next, so your phrasing and dynamics reflect what makes each style distinctive.
• Record yourself playing over the tracks and listen back to catch timing issues or tone choices you might miss while playing. Self-listening accelerates improvement faster than teacher feedback alone.
• Pay attention to the fingering diagrams and technical explanations alongside the musical examples. Understanding the mechanics behind the sounds makes adaptation and improvisation possible later.

Assign style-specific sections as units throughout the year, pairing them with ensemble rehearsals so students can apply what they're learning to actual band performances. The backing tracks work equally well for independent practice or as a bridge between private study and group playing.

• Rock guitar technique across multiple styles (blues, funk, alternative, heavy metal)
• Reading and executing style-specific rhythmic patterns and phrasing
• Playing to a steady backing track and locking in with rhythm sections
• Finger dexterity and fretboard navigation
• Understanding and applying genre conventions in tone, dynamics, and articulation