A Modern Method for Guitar - Complete Method: Volumes 1, 2, and 3 with 14+ Hours of Video and 123 Audio Tracks

by William Leavitt

(Berklee Methods). The William Leavitt Modern Method for Guitar, used as the basic text for the Berklee College of Music guitar program, has stood the test of time and earned a vast and loyal following of dedicated guitar students and instructors. By popular demand, Berklee Press has created a compilation of the original volumes 1, 2, and 3, including all audio and video tracks. Now, serious guitar students and instructors, from beginning through advanced, have the convenience of progressing through all three volumes of this classic guitar method in one comprehensive book. Innovative solos, duets, and exercises progressively teach melody, harmony, and rhythm. This edition contains audio and video produced by William Leavitt's students Charles Chapman and Larry Baione (who was his successor as chair of the Berklee Guitar Department), demonstrating the examples and providing play-along tracks for the ensemble exercises.

Genres: Music, Reference, Nonfiction, Jazz, Textbooks

424 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1999

Reviews

[Daniel Evensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

"A Modern Method for Guitar" takes a music-only approach to teaching guitar. Many cite this book as the best way for budding guitarists to learn to leave the world of tabulation and join the rest of the musical world. As other reviewers have noted, this book is packed with musical notation and has an extremely high learning curve.

I have to admit that this book works very well as a guide to sight reading. You'll learn how to find the right note as you work through these exercises, and the more you expose yourself to this material, the easier it will become. If your sole intent is to learn how to sight read, I would recommend using this book.

However, this book fails in every other aspect. Chord structure is barely taught at all, and some of the fingerings are nigh unto impossible. The Chordal Etudes start out as difficult, and quickly become extremely confusing, as the authors decide to throw unusual chords and odd harmonies into the mix. I had to run to my piano from time to time just to make sure I was hitting the right notes.

The authors also seem incapable of teaching basic scales without throwing in chromatic elements to throw you for a loop. It doesn't sound bad once you get it; however, it is not easy to learn the shape of the scale when every single scale exercise throws in a few accidental notes to keep you on your toes. The Reading Studies are uninspired at best, and the melodies of the actual songs feel like they were written by machines.

There are better books out there. The learner would do much better spending money on the Fundamental Changes series to learn chord formation, basic music theory, and even standard musical notation. Once you've learned a few basic chords, you're much better off grabbing a collection of folk songs and playing around than trying to wrap your fingers around the chords in this book. I recommend playing what you enjoy, rather than trusting that the folks at Berklee know what is best for you.

I'm not certain who this book was written for. Beginners should stay away. Intermediate players will grow frustrated by the end of the first book. Advanced players might stand a change - but, then again, an advanced player probably has better things to play than these uninspiring, flat compositions.

[James Murrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best series of method book for the guitar. "A Modern Method For Guitar" is great for building your reading skills while also increasing your knowledge & building up your technique with great sounding exercises. You get all 3 volumes in one book with this edition. I highly recommend this book to any serious student of the guitar.
Peace,
James Murrell
http://www.jamesmurrellgtr.com

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Trop de partitions, flemme de les lire ça clc
Les tablatures c'est mieux wsh

[Doug Sparling · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to play guitar, read music, and build technique, this is THE book (or three books if you buy them individually). I wore out my original set of books - I've gone through the series several times...it may not be for everyone, but any serious guitarist will want to own this book.

[Pjtibbetts · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bible.

[gekko100 · Rating 5 out of 5]

If only I could put this on my "read" shelf with the slightest amount of honesty. Have worked through about half of volume 1.

[Jamie Sutherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only book I ever recommend guitarists to use for learning to read notation, and I use it for those starting out in guitar too.

[Fer Grajales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down the best method for studying guitar.

[Anthony Pell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the guitar teachers bible! A great book for learning to read guitar for players using a pick. While some of the material is a bit dry and dare I say dull, many of the duets are nice pieces of music. The duets are great exercises for my intermediate to advanced guitar students to see if they can can them with me at our lessons.

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this book in March of 2007 and finally got through it. Good for learning how to read. The music theory portions could be presented more clearly.

[Elijah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before reading this book, I didn't know how to play guitar.