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Guitars
Go behind the scenes and see how craftsman Meredith Coloma makes custom guitars by hand with this nonfiction book that’s full of photographs and illustrations about the incredible process.
Discover where the earliest guitars were made and how the instrument has evolved. Then come to the present day to meet Meredith Coloma, someone so passionate about guitars that she learned how to make them by hand. In Meredith’s workshop, there are shelves of ebony, maple, spruce, and western red cedar woods. The tool benches are filled with chisels, clamps, and rulers. Curled wood shavings and sawdust cover the floor. The sweet smell of newly cut wood fills the air. Go step-by-step with Meredith through her process of making guitars. Charts, infographics, and bold photographs make this a perfect book for reluctant readers and visual learners.
Discover where the earliest guitars were made and how the instrument has evolved. Then come to the present day to meet Meredith Coloma, someone so passionate about guitars that she learned how to make them by hand. In Meredith’s workshop, there are shelves of ebony, maple, spruce, and western red cedar woods. The tool benches are filled with chisels, clamps, and rulers. Curled wood shavings and sawdust cover the floor. The sweet smell of newly cut wood fills the air. Go step-by-step with Meredith through her process of making guitars. Charts, infographics, and bold photographs make this a perfect book for reluctant readers and visual learners.
- GenresNonfictionMusic
32 pages, Hardcover
Published November 9, 2021
5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 17, 2021
This book gives an overview of the history of the guitar and how it was developed over time to include different styles in different cultures, finally including the modern guitar and electric guitar. With paintings and photographs showcased in a colorful design, this book is sure to capture the attention of anyone interested in the guitar!
I like that the design has small paragraphs of text so that it is easy to read and absorb the snippets of information. As a musician, I really appreciated all the music history, the explanations about types of guitars, the nature of sounds for each instrument, and how different styles developed.
I am so impressed with this colorful book! It gives the reader reliable facts about history and how the guitar has evolved, and sparks the imagination. The joy of music is evident on every page!
It was so cool to see the step-by-step process of how modern guitars are made.
I really liked the timeline at the end of the book showing the development of the guitar over time, and milestones in guitar music throughout the ages. There is also a section about famous guitarists with a little bit of information about how they pioneered new styles of music using the guitar.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
I like that the design has small paragraphs of text so that it is easy to read and absorb the snippets of information. As a musician, I really appreciated all the music history, the explanations about types of guitars, the nature of sounds for each instrument, and how different styles developed.
I am so impressed with this colorful book! It gives the reader reliable facts about history and how the guitar has evolved, and sparks the imagination. The joy of music is evident on every page!
It was so cool to see the step-by-step process of how modern guitars are made.
I really liked the timeline at the end of the book showing the development of the guitar over time, and milestones in guitar music throughout the ages. There is also a section about famous guitarists with a little bit of information about how they pioneered new styles of music using the guitar.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
October 8, 2021
Have you ever wondered where the first guitar actually originated? Would you believe that researchers don’t really know, but they think that it began in the Middle East around 1400-1500 BC? An archeological dig in 1930 revealed a guitar-like instrument as well as some stone carvings in what is now Turkey. Since then, there have been many other renditions of guitar-like instruments that have been created and played all over the world. The late 1800s is when guitars, much like what we are used to playing today, were created. So, music created from plucking strings has long been part of our history.
Meredith Coloma makes guitars in her workshop in Vancouver, Canada. After studying music as a child, she took a chance and walked into a violin shop in New York City in 2008. That moment forever changed her life and in this book, she shares her step-by-step process of making both acoustic guitars and electric guitars. Any guitar player would be lucky to have one of her beautiful guitars. As one of a few women in the business of guitar making, she hopes to encourage more artists to join the field. She also shares that making guitars isn’t just an art form, it also uses a lot of science. In the book, kids can create their own experiment making a telephone or a harmonica.
The book concludes with a list of great guitarists and their photos as well as a timeline of guitar history. There is also a glossary at the end with the terms used in the book. There is an abundance of photography and the step-by-step process of making the guitars was quite fascinating.
This book is written for middle-grade readers but I truly think all musicians would find this book interesting. I plan to show it to our own adult son who plays guitar.
This is the fourth book in the MADE BY HAND series. The others include Skateboards, Bicycles, and Steel Drums.
Meredith Coloma makes guitars in her workshop in Vancouver, Canada. After studying music as a child, she took a chance and walked into a violin shop in New York City in 2008. That moment forever changed her life and in this book, she shares her step-by-step process of making both acoustic guitars and electric guitars. Any guitar player would be lucky to have one of her beautiful guitars. As one of a few women in the business of guitar making, she hopes to encourage more artists to join the field. She also shares that making guitars isn’t just an art form, it also uses a lot of science. In the book, kids can create their own experiment making a telephone or a harmonica.
The book concludes with a list of great guitarists and their photos as well as a timeline of guitar history. There is also a glossary at the end with the terms used in the book. There is an abundance of photography and the step-by-step process of making the guitars was quite fascinating.
This book is written for middle-grade readers but I truly think all musicians would find this book interesting. I plan to show it to our own adult son who plays guitar.
This is the fourth book in the MADE BY HAND series. The others include Skateboards, Bicycles, and Steel Drums.
February 3, 2022
What worked:
The nonfiction book shares a broad range of information about guitars while keeping it relatable to young readers. The narrator’s voice speaks semi-casually to readers, and this helps to keep the text easy enough to understand. It opens by defining the meaning of guitar, its history, and how it creates vibrations to make music. It explains the processes of making acoustic and electric guitars and has a section focusing on a female luthier named Meredith. The book wraps up by highlighting famous guitarists and memorable moments in the guitar’s history.
An abundance of colorful pictures will grab the eyes of readers and help them understand some of the technical language. A glossary is included to help with any unfamiliar vocabulary. Sharp photographs and enlargements present a pictorial display of the history of the guitar and important people in its development. Diagrams help readers learn about the different parts of guitars, and timelines assist readers by summarizing significant moments and guitarists from the past. There’s even an illustrated, step-by-step guide explaining how guitars are made and how they make music.
What didn’t work as well:
The book will appeal to music lovers, but it might not attract the interest of general readers. The information and illustrations are very engaging for readers wanting to learn about guitars, as the material isn’t overly complicated and the book is only thirty-two pages long. These same reasons may be enough to keep the interest of young readers, for a short time.
The Final Verdict:
Good vibrations. This book offers a revealing introduction into the world of guitars. The material isn’t overly technical or detailed and spans a wide range of topics that will appeal to many readers. I recommend you give it a shot.
The nonfiction book shares a broad range of information about guitars while keeping it relatable to young readers. The narrator’s voice speaks semi-casually to readers, and this helps to keep the text easy enough to understand. It opens by defining the meaning of guitar, its history, and how it creates vibrations to make music. It explains the processes of making acoustic and electric guitars and has a section focusing on a female luthier named Meredith. The book wraps up by highlighting famous guitarists and memorable moments in the guitar’s history.
An abundance of colorful pictures will grab the eyes of readers and help them understand some of the technical language. A glossary is included to help with any unfamiliar vocabulary. Sharp photographs and enlargements present a pictorial display of the history of the guitar and important people in its development. Diagrams help readers learn about the different parts of guitars, and timelines assist readers by summarizing significant moments and guitarists from the past. There’s even an illustrated, step-by-step guide explaining how guitars are made and how they make music.
What didn’t work as well:
The book will appeal to music lovers, but it might not attract the interest of general readers. The information and illustrations are very engaging for readers wanting to learn about guitars, as the material isn’t overly complicated and the book is only thirty-two pages long. These same reasons may be enough to keep the interest of young readers, for a short time.
The Final Verdict:
Good vibrations. This book offers a revealing introduction into the world of guitars. The material isn’t overly technical or detailed and spans a wide range of topics that will appeal to many readers. I recommend you give it a shot.
December 20, 2021
Guitars gives an extensive overview of, well, guitars. From the development of the instrument over the centuries to modern craftsmen (including one notable Meredith Coloma) to the science behind electric guitars to famous musicians like Jimi Hendrix, the guitar's place in our world is firmly established.
Although this is marketed toward the middle grades, it is not inaccessible for a younger audience. T is sporadically learning guitar skills on a children's acoustic, and his dad is rebuilding his first electric guitar for T. What does this mean for his reading? That Guitars holds great appeal for a our 6-year-old. He learns about ancient Egyptian precursors to the modern instrument. He recognizes the parts of the guitar. He begins to understand the science behind electric guitars. He meets a luthier and follows her career in a male-dominated world. He experiments with simple instruments, following the directions in the book. He discusses different guitarists with his dad. To say that Guitars is engaging would be oversimplifying it. T was amazed by Hendrix's ability to play with his teeth and by how Van Halen kept two-hand tapping a secret.
I particularly like how straightforward the explanations of craftsmanship are. I also appreciate how a female luthier is featured throughout the book - given that the only female guitarists who come to mind are the members of the Slits, external examples of guitars being universally played is quite helpful. Top off the easy-to-understand text with crisp, full-color photographs and old black-and-white portraits, and you have a highly appealing book for any kid with musical leanings. Guitars is hands-down a cool book.
Although this is marketed toward the middle grades, it is not inaccessible for a younger audience. T is sporadically learning guitar skills on a children's acoustic, and his dad is rebuilding his first electric guitar for T. What does this mean for his reading? That Guitars holds great appeal for a our 6-year-old. He learns about ancient Egyptian precursors to the modern instrument. He recognizes the parts of the guitar. He begins to understand the science behind electric guitars. He meets a luthier and follows her career in a male-dominated world. He experiments with simple instruments, following the directions in the book. He discusses different guitarists with his dad. To say that Guitars is engaging would be oversimplifying it. T was amazed by Hendrix's ability to play with his teeth and by how Van Halen kept two-hand tapping a secret.
I particularly like how straightforward the explanations of craftsmanship are. I also appreciate how a female luthier is featured throughout the book - given that the only female guitarists who come to mind are the members of the Slits, external examples of guitars being universally played is quite helpful. Top off the easy-to-understand text with crisp, full-color photographs and old black-and-white portraits, and you have a highly appealing book for any kid with musical leanings. Guitars is hands-down a cool book.
November 14, 2021
Would you like to learn how to play the guitar? Perhaps you just want to know how they are made? This handy guide shows readers the various parts of the guitar, its history and even who has made this instrument famous. Step-by-step photos are found throughout these pages so readers can see what makes this instrument work. The back pages show readers how to make their own string instrument. There is also a timeline showing how the guitar has been around. Parents and teachers will find this guide useful and can share the glossary and resources.
August 13, 2021
🎸What an awesome book! Love the history and steps to create your own! A book like this would benefit students! One of my students built an electric guitar for his #GeniusHour project and then performed for our class! #bookposse #PatriciaLakin #guitars
December 30, 2021
Part of the "Made by Hand" series, this informational book talks about the science behind guitars and their sound and introduces readers to a female guitar-creator!
November 8, 2021
Guitars are such a popular instrument, but have you ever wondered about their history or how they are made? Well, just as she did in her previous Made by Hand books, author Patricia Lakin takes readers behind the scenes to learn all about both acoustic and electric guitars.
The first section begins with a definition a guitar as a long-necked, flat-backed string instrument with pear-shaped incurved sides, readers are introduced to the different parts of the two kinds of guitars. Not surprisingly, the acoustic guitar is a much simpler instrument than the electric guitar, which has so many more parts to it. And who would have guessed that the sounds a guitar makes is really just a matter of physics? But I leave that to the author to explain, who does a far better job than I could.
Next, the history of guitars in introduced. Interestingly, earliest guitar-like instrument dates back as far as 1490 BC, where it was found in Thebes, Egypt. In fact, cousins of today's guitars can be found throughout history and in various countries.
Nowadays, electric guitars might be more popular than the acoustic guitar, but readers will learn exactly who an electric guitar works and it is way more complicated than I would have thought. But just how are these instruments made? To get a good idea about that, Lakin turned to Meredith Coloma, a luthier from Vancouver, Canada. A talented violinist since the age of 9, Meredith toured with a Celtic rock band. Once she graduated high school, she traveled to New York City and, instead of performing, apprenticed with an elderly violin maker there. Returning to Vancouver, Meredith took a course in guitar making, but something in her guitars was missing. She began an apprenticeship with luthier Roger Sadowsky in NYC, and began making guitars with just the right tone that she wanted. But Meredith wasn't quite satisfied, and apprenticed with luthier Michael Dunn in Vancouver. Now a luthier in her own right, Meredith makes unique guitars back in Vancouver.
In the next section of the book, Meredith takes readers on a detailed tour of her workshop where she gives a step by step demonstration of how both an acoustic guitar and an electric guitar are made and it is fascinating to see. I had no idea just what went into producing a guitar that looks good and has great sound quality.
Finally (and this is one of my favorite sections of the books in the Made By Hand series), young readers can learn how to make their own telephone and harmonica using the science behind instruments like guitars or violins that vibrate when played by plucking strings.
Guitars is a wonderfully informative book for budding musicians or really, for anyone interested in music, particularly guitars. The writing is accessible and there are lots of photographs and illustrations to help readers understand some of the finer, perhaps more complicated aspects of guitars (like the physics part that even I understood). Back matter consists of a list of great guitarists, a time line, and a glossary and list of resources.
This book is recommended for readers age 8+
This book was an eARC gratefully received from Casey Blackwell at Media Masters Publicity
The first section begins with a definition a guitar as a long-necked, flat-backed string instrument with pear-shaped incurved sides, readers are introduced to the different parts of the two kinds of guitars. Not surprisingly, the acoustic guitar is a much simpler instrument than the electric guitar, which has so many more parts to it. And who would have guessed that the sounds a guitar makes is really just a matter of physics? But I leave that to the author to explain, who does a far better job than I could.
Next, the history of guitars in introduced. Interestingly, earliest guitar-like instrument dates back as far as 1490 BC, where it was found in Thebes, Egypt. In fact, cousins of today's guitars can be found throughout history and in various countries.
Nowadays, electric guitars might be more popular than the acoustic guitar, but readers will learn exactly who an electric guitar works and it is way more complicated than I would have thought. But just how are these instruments made? To get a good idea about that, Lakin turned to Meredith Coloma, a luthier from Vancouver, Canada. A talented violinist since the age of 9, Meredith toured with a Celtic rock band. Once she graduated high school, she traveled to New York City and, instead of performing, apprenticed with an elderly violin maker there. Returning to Vancouver, Meredith took a course in guitar making, but something in her guitars was missing. She began an apprenticeship with luthier Roger Sadowsky in NYC, and began making guitars with just the right tone that she wanted. But Meredith wasn't quite satisfied, and apprenticed with luthier Michael Dunn in Vancouver. Now a luthier in her own right, Meredith makes unique guitars back in Vancouver.
In the next section of the book, Meredith takes readers on a detailed tour of her workshop where she gives a step by step demonstration of how both an acoustic guitar and an electric guitar are made and it is fascinating to see. I had no idea just what went into producing a guitar that looks good and has great sound quality.
Finally (and this is one of my favorite sections of the books in the Made By Hand series), young readers can learn how to make their own telephone and harmonica using the science behind instruments like guitars or violins that vibrate when played by plucking strings.
Guitars is a wonderfully informative book for budding musicians or really, for anyone interested in music, particularly guitars. The writing is accessible and there are lots of photographs and illustrations to help readers understand some of the finer, perhaps more complicated aspects of guitars (like the physics part that even I understood). Back matter consists of a list of great guitarists, a time line, and a glossary and list of resources.
This book is recommended for readers age 8+
This book was an eARC gratefully received from Casey Blackwell at Media Masters Publicity
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews