Everyone has music in their heart; it’s just a matter of bringing it out. February 11th is National Guitar Day. If you’re like me, you’ve often thought about how nice it would be if you could play the guitar to accompany your singing, (well, most of us). That dream may not be as far away as you think. Here at Scott County Public Library, we have several resources that could make that dream come true.

Teach Yourself Guitar by Dale Fradd

*Are you looking for a complete step-by-step guide to playing the guitar?
*Do you need advice on purchasing and practicing the guitar?
*Would you like to broaden your musical horizons?

Guitar is an essential guide for anyone who wants to learn how to play this beautiful instrument. It will take you from choosing your guitar and tuning it, to reading the music and actually playing it. It includes an integral audio CD to teach you the techniques and theory that will help you to become an accomplished guitarist.

The Beginner’s Guide to Playing Guitar; A Simple, A-To-Z Guide for First Time Musicians by Douglas J. Noble

The guitar is one of the most versatile musical instruments and can be used to play an assortment of musical styles, such as folk, country, blues, rock, pop, jazz, classical, and even flamenco. Learning to play it can be complicated, but it needn’t be, as The Beginner’s Guide to Playing Guitar so expertly shows. In the experienced teaching hands of Douglas J. Noble, players who haven’t touched a guitar before, nor have any prior musical knowledge, can easily learn the basics. All the musical examples included here were written for the novice, with easy-to-understand notation and straightforward timing. Advocating a practice routine of ten to fifteen minutes a day, Noble stresses a basic, no-nonsense approach that will have even the tone-deaf strumming away in days.

Guitar for Everyone; A Step-by-Step Guide to Notes, Chords, and Playing Basics by Dick Weissman

Make It Easy! Have you always wanted to play the guitar, but have been turned off by the latest “how to” book? Enter Knack Guitar for Everyone. With 350 full-color photos-along with clear, step-by-step instructions geared toward achievable results; more than fifty music exercises; and accompanying audio tracks at knackbooks.com/guitar-it makes truly befriending the world’s most popular instrument easier than ever. You’ll learn to choose what style of guitar is right for you. And you’ll finally master the basics-how to find a guitar, how to hold it, and how to develop simple techniques that will provide you with years of fun!

Basic Guitar, The Tab-Only Guitar Method by Alex Davis

Want to learn how to play the guitar without spending hours studying musical theory? Basic Guitar: the Tab-only Guitar Method uses guitar tablature and chord diagrams so you don’t have to learn how to read music! With this method you’ll quickly master the basics and soon be playing in different styles like blues, rock, and jazz. You’ll also learn about essential techniques including soloing, hammer-ons, pull-offs, and string-blending.
You want to learn to play one of the most fun, versatile, simple, and incredibly cool musical instruments ever invented. You want to be able to read and write TAB-simple music notation designed by guitarists for guitarists. You want to equip yourself with the skills and techniques to master the tunes you love. This book will help you with all these things and more!

The Complete Guitar Course; Learn to Play in 2- Easy-to-Follow Lessons by Tom Fleming

In The Complete Guitar Course, accomplished musician Tom Fleming breaks down the basics into 20 interlocking step-by-step lessons that aspiring virtuosi can pursue at home and at their own pace. From buying choices-new or used? classical, acoustic, or electric?- to picking the right strings, amps, and accessories, the lessons get you tuned up and ready to start making music without missing a beat.
And not with any dusty old exercises like “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.” Instead, this book uses hit songs from the past 40 years, like “Stand by Me,” “Killing Me Softly,” “That’ll be the Day,” “Wonderful Tonight,” and “Walk this Way,” familiar favorites that show off what the guitar can do.

So swing on by Scott County Public Library and bring a song to your heart! We have everything you need to bring more music and soul into your life!