Tommy Tedesco: For Guitar Players Only: Guitar Book

This book captures the perspective of someone who actually lived the life of a professional working guitarist, offering real studio parts and the specific techniques that made Tedesco invaluable to producers and arrangers. It goes far beyond standard method material by grounding every exercise and tip in the context of actual recording sessions, giving students insight into how serious guitarists approach sight reading, efficiency, and the kind of picking precision that studio work demands.

The tone is conversational and insider-focused, drawing you into the world of professional studio playing where speed, accuracy, and adaptability aren't optional. You're not following a rigid curriculum but rather learning from someone who has solved these technical problems in real time under real pressure, making every exercise feel purposeful and rooted in actual work.

This book serves intermediate to advanced guitarists who are serious about improving their sight reading, picking technique, and professional readiness. It's equally valuable for guitar teachers looking to supplement standard method materials with wisdom from an actual studio professional, and for students preparing for auditions or considering session work.

• Study the actual recorded parts included in the book alongside the written notation to hear how the music was performed in its original context.
• Work through Tedesco's picking exercises methodically rather than jumping around; his progressions build facility in sequence.
• Use the sight reading exercises to develop speed with accuracy, prioritizing clean execution over tempo initially.
• Reference the studio session anecdotes and hints while practicing to understand the practical reasons behind each technical focus.

This works best as a supplementary text for intermediate and advanced students in private lessons or group instruction, particularly for those interested in commercial music, film scoring, or session work. Teachers can assign specific exercises and parts alongside repertoire study, or use the book as the foundation for a unit on sight reading and professional musicianship.

• Sight reading accuracy and fluency
• Controlled picking technique and efficiency
• Rhythmic precision under tempo
• Adapting to unfamiliar styles and idioms quickly
• Understanding studio session expectations and professional standards