Table of Contents -- CHAPTER 1 Guitar Basics -- History of the Guitar -- History of the Electric Guitar -- Parts of an Acoustic Guitar -- Parts of an Electric Guitar -- Basic Guitar Concepts -- Famous Guitarists -- CHAPTER 2 Getting Ready to Play -- How to Hold a Guitar -- Fretting Hand Position -- Picking Hand Position -- Reading a Chord Diagram -- Reading Tablature -- Tune a Guitar -- How to Practice -- CHAPTER 3 Reading Music -- The Staff -- Notes on the Staff -- Sharps and Flats -- Key Signatures -- Time Signatures and Note Values -- Dots, Ties and Rests -- Common Musical Symbols -- Reading Rhythm Slashes -- Reading Lead Sheets -- CHAPTER 4 Playing Basic Chords -- How to Play a Chord -- Playing Major Chords -- Playing Minor Chords -- Playing Dominant 7th Chords -- Playing Major 7th Chords -- Playing Minor 7th Chords -- Strumming Patterns -- Songs for Practice -- CHAPTER 5 Playing Barre Chords and Power Chords -- Introduction to Barre Chords -- The E-based Major Barre Chord -- Other E-based Barre Chords -- The A-based Major Barre Chord -- Other A-based Barre Chords -- Open-Position Power Chords -- Movable Power Chords -- Songs for Practice -- CHAPTER 6 Playing Single Notes -- Playing Notes: on the 1st String -- Playing Notes: on the 2nd String -- Playing Notes: on the 3rd String -- Playing Notes: on the 4th String -- Playing Notes: on the 5th String -- Playing Notes: on the 6th String -- Finding Notes: on Your Guitar -- Position Playing -- Playing Scales -- Playing Double-Stops -- Songs for Practice -- CHAPTER 7 Articulation Techniques -- Playing Hammer-Ons -- Playing Pull-Offs -- Playing Slides -- Muting Strings -- Playing Bends -- Applying Vibrato -- CHAPTER 8 Playing Rock Guitar -- Introduction to Rock Guitar -- Playing Rock Lead Guitar -- Playing Rock Rhythm Guitar -- Playing Suspended Chords -- Playing Add Chords -- Playing Slash Chords.

Using Open Tunings -- Using Alternate Tunings -- Songs for Practice -- CHAPTER 9 Playing the Blues -- Introduction to Blues Guitar -- Playing the Blues Scale -- Adding a Major Third Note -- Playing Slide Guitar -- Songs for Practice -- CHAPTER 10 Playing Folk and Country Music -- Introduction to Folk and Country Music -- Playing the Bass Note Strum Style -- Playing in Carter Style -- Playing with Travis Picking -- Songs for Practice -- CHAPTER 11 Playing Classical Guitar -- Introduction to Classical Guitar -- Playing Free Strokes -- Playing Rest Strokes -- Playing Arpeggio Style -- Playing Counterpoint -- Songs for Practice -- CHAPTER 12 Buying a Guitar -- Introduction to Buying a Guitar -- Types of Guitars -- Test a Guitar -- Guitar Construction -- Electric Guitar Considerations -- CHAPTER 13 Guitar Accessories -- Amplifiers and Speakers -- Capos -- Cases -- Picks -- Electronic Tuners -- Stands -- Straps -- Strings -- Introduction to Effects -- Types of Effects -- Connecting Effects -- CHAPTER 14 Guitar Care and Maintenance -- Clean Your Guitar -- Protect Your Guitar -- Common Guitar Problems -- Tools for Maintaining a Guitar -- Remove Old Strings -- Restring an Acoustic Guitar -- Restring a Classical Guitar -- Restring an Electric Guitar -- Adjust the Action -- Adjust the Height of Pickups -- Adjust the Intonation -- Tighten Loose Connections -- Fix Crackling Controls -- Fix Strap Pins -- Items to Keep Handy -- Repairs that Require a Professional -- CHAPTER 15 Home Recording -- Introduction to Home Recording -- Recording with Mixers -- Recording Devices -- Recording with a Microphone -- CHAPTER 16 Quick Reference -- Guitar Information on the Internet -- Chord Diagrams -- Scale Diagrams -- Glossary -- A -- B -- C -- D -- E -- F -- G -- H -- I -- K -- L -- M -- N -- O -- P -- Q -- R -- S -- T -- U -- V -- W -- Index -- A -- B -- C -- D -- E -- F -- G.

H -- I -- J -- K -- L -- M -- N -- O -- P -- Q -- R -- S -- T -- U -- V -- W.