Mel Bay Fingerboard Theory for Guitar A Music Theory Text for Guitarists

This is my go to book when I’m trying to find a music concept - tired of looking through other books I own. It’s a good book to own if you are a casual player.

A convoluted mess.Finger pattern 1 is F#, 2nd is A, 3rd is Ab/G#, 4th F, 5th B, etc. wTF nothing is on the same key!Hard to learn something when you have to transpose it just to make sense. And if you can transpose it, you're not going to need this book. All that $h*p is beneath you.You have to have a very advanced grasp of music theory just to figure out how this poorly written book is assembled. The ability to figure these unclear instructions makes the information obsolete and unnecessary.Bought this over a decade ago. Go back and reference it now and then, and it just becomes a worse book the more I learn. On the plus side, it is nice to finally have information books that I can throw away.......Or gift... But I would only gag gift this book to someone. Honestly, it's better to throw this copy away and keep friends. And if there's one acquaintance that you want to shove out of the birds nest. This would be a great addition to anything you don't want to make an addition to your life.Only buy this book if you want some fire starter paper.

This book is excellent for intermediate to advanced guitarists. I know just like me, many guitarists that have been playing for a while get scared of studying the theories and tend to stay in the comfort zone playing what we already know. At the first few pages, the book seems to be easy on me as it shows some very basic knowledge. But it starts to speeds up quickly and made me uncomfortable with the new materials. But the more I study, I realized that those theories are very practical. I'm about 1/4 through the book and have learned more than the last 5 years. Highly recommended for serious guitarists as self-study or teaching material.

To be honest, I have no idea how this book got all those five stars from the other reviewers. This book might be good if accompanied with a teacher. However, in my opinion, it starts well then gets in the deep waters in no time; for example, on page 18, the author asks students to improvise solos to the following progression CMajor (Dmi7, G7, Dmi7, G7, CMAJ7). How a novice that has just started with less than 18 pages in music theory is supposed to know what Dmi7 and G7 are?

I own other music theory books for guitar..but this one is really good since it covers lots of subjects such as intervals, inverted intervals, harmonizing a melody with triads, drop-two chords, the modes,etc.It's an excellent reference book.2012 Review:In order to help potential buyers this book is focused on chord construction,chord substitutions and harmonizing melodies which is important in comping (accompaniment)and songwriting. No other theory book has drop 2 and drop 3 chords which are necessary in jazz playing. It is not for beginners, however it gives excellent information.

I own several books on Guitar Theory and this one I think is one of the two best books I own. Any guitarest at any level will benifit by this book. My only wish is that a CD would be sold with the book making it even better. over all money well spent.

Loving this book, has been teaching me more and more about the theory but it also has a lot of the practical side of playing. Encourage anyone to use this book if you are looking for a great resource for guitar!

I am still reading through it but was hoping for a little more clarity in how to construct scales and chords and in understanding how they are formed. Basics are good.

So far so good! I'm still working on the first chapter, but it is all clean and well explained.

Great