A Common Sense Approach to Improvisation for Guitar Paperback – September 13, 2002

I don't understand the negative reviews about this book. Yes it is somewhat basic information about theory but if you don't already know music theory, especially as it applies to the guitar,this is a great book to learn it from. The information in this book is essential for learning to compose and improvise with a guitar and it's a fantastic method. Every great guitar player I know has these shapes down cold. When you have the triads and their inversions memorized to the point where they're second nature, you'll be shocked at how easy it the sweet spots. Then the next step is to work on your phrasing. (rhythm, slides, bends, hammer-ons, pull-offs, dynamics, etc...) That's not where the book ends though. It also goes into practical application, bebop concepts, harmonic structure and chord substitutions.

If you know of Joe Negri, he's about as good as they get in jazz guitar. I have several albums of his and have watched him play on television, and that's why I bought his book. Alas, I wish there were more in this modest folio, but it is what it is. Good stuff if you're just getting started, but not very useful to more accomplished players.

I learned a lot.