Can any recommend a book to help my 14 year old nephew learn the electric guitar?

Answer 1

You don't say where you're from :(. Hope this still helps as I am in the UK.

Book advice follows at the end.

Personally I feel half a term's lessons with a guitar teacher will get him the basics (half hour lessons, one per week - about £70 pounds worth max) - and he'll have to do regular practise so he will hear his own progress which will motivate him. Really he should be able to take it from there with books and DVDS. He ought to join a Jazz band at school or Rock band (though R Bands are usually run by mates which can be quite ad hoc) - that will push him to play some challenging things as he progresses.

For now though here are some ideas:

Big Acoustic Guitar Chord Song Book
Voted Best Printed Music Publication at the 2001 Music Industry Association Awards.

Then if he's a really special nephew get him:
Big Guitar Chord Songbook 90s (songs from the nineties - he might appreciate that more than the last 4 decades!).

He'll need a good guitar chord book, which he should do his best to practise from everyday - it will boost his confidence if he knows how to play "G major 7th" when someone asks him to rather than grunting (mine does that) and saying "dunno"!

Try the Guitar Case Chord Book (in full colour).
You can get these from:
www.musicianshop.com in the UK.

Answer 2

My Brother's A Guitar Teacher and The First Book He Gives His Students is Hal Leonard Guitar Method Book One. And If He Wants, Some Of The Book come with Cd's, too! (Here's A Tip, Acoustic Guitar Is Harder To Play Because You Have To Press The Strings Harder To Get A Good Note, So An Acoustic Guitar Will Build His Finger Strength)

Answer 3

I don't think electric guitar can be learned from a book. I think you would be better getting him a tutor DVD -and make sure it's a basic one.

If he is going to play electric without learning to play acoustic first ( which millions of young men do anyway) then it's all about being cool, and you can't teach coolness in a million years. He will learn through countless hours of bedroom noodling, and will be none the worse for it.

Yes a tutor DVD is the thing. Or even better, a real tutor. Actually Nevada guy has a good point. There are plenty of PC programs for teaching guitar nowadays, too.

Answer 4

Well, I've been playing guitar for about three years, and I highly recommend lessons with an experienced teacher over learning with a book. But if lessons aren't possible with your budget, I'd give Alfred's Basic Guitar Method Book 1 a try. I've used the series for drumming, and I find it to be quite good.

Answer 5

I just saw the perfect program at Borders store. And it was onsale cheap and less than $10. It was a program in a box that teaches the guitar with a small piece that looks like the center o the guitar with strings so you can practise what they teach you. It is a great way to go without buying the whole guitar and overwhelming a teen. Start small, then if they like it buy the guitar later. I almost bought this just to have.
Please check it out. I am not sure if it is online at their store or if it was a clearance kit but it is worth it to go to the store.
Hope this helps.

Answer 6

you can't play an instrument properly unless you have some understanding of music. i'd rec a tutor and a proper guitar tutor as opposed to some dodgy high school teacher that plays a few hymns on a sunday morning. he needs to be shown technique and advised on what to listen to. 90% of playing is listening. there's hundreds of books available and they're all pretty much the same. if he's serious about the guitar and he's showing promise you can't not afford to get him a tutor.

Answer 7

I have been learning for years and books are OK but you have to understand them before you can read them properly. Have a few lessons with a pro guitar music teacher. Sometimes at school they have music classes. It is important to read music if he is serious about playing it properly. Electric is much harder to play than acoustic. Does he know he must practice everyday without fail to exercise and strengthen his finger muscles. Really important.

Answer 8

I don't think a book can help much. How about going to the local college and see if they have guitar lessons for young people.

Answer 9

I'm not trying to be funny or anything but try out, Guitars For Dummies

Answer 10

Get him to ask at his school, most schools have lessons for different instruments.