Justinguitar.com Beginners Songbook: 100 Classic Songs Specially Arranged for Beginner Guitarists, with Performance Tips!

This songbook is most helpful as you take his online course, but I'm sure it would be helpful even if you aren't. When you get a good teacher like Justin, you realize how many mediocre-or even bad ones you have had to endure. The book has the lyrics and music (guitar chords) along with suggested strumming patterns. You also get his help online on his website, justinguitar.com, or on You tube. He plays the songs on video where you can play along with him. I get the feeling that I have a personal teacher who cares, (he has a friendly manner) is organized, never patronizing, doesn't skip steps, and has had years of musical training and experience. It probably doesn't hurt that he lives and works in one of the musical capitals of the world-London. Some of the songs I didn't know such as Lennon's "Working Class Hero" and "Common People" by the Pulp. I enjoyed reading the lyrics which weren't the usual love songs. They tell an interesting story and have social significance. However, there are more "popular" songs too. Enough songs to keep you going and interested. If a beginner like me without a good musical education, your musical terminology will improve as you start each song. For example,in the first songs you are introduced to the use of capos and what off-beats are. The book is more than a book, it's a musical journey. One that is just right-not too easy-or too hard. You can do it, but you grow as you keep learning and trying. There is a forum on his site where he answers questions and other learners share their experiences playing the songs. Also where he didn't play a song, I found a student of his playing the song on You tube, and it helped me a lot. Where else do you get a songbook and a free forum (a community of people like yourself) asking questions, sharing difficulties and getting advice from Justin and the other guitar learners?

I am more of a fingerstyle guitarist so I prefer to devote more of my practice time on that rather than strumming. However, I don't want to neglect that skill or at least the ability to strum out some singalong tunes if the occasion calls for it. Justin's Beginner's Songbook is the perfect tool to help me practice strumming patterns while learning some singalong tunes. Contrary to some other reviewers of this book, I like the book's set-up. New chords are given at the beginning at each stage only. There isn't a section that gives you chord diagrams so it forces you to memorize chord diagrams as you progress through the book rather than rely on convenient chord diagrams above every lyric. It isn't a chord reference book so if you're looking for that, there are plenty of cheap ones on Amazon or even free on the internet. The chord name is given above the words of the lyrics and on the corresponding page Justin gives his recommended strumming pattern as well as some tips and trivia. There are other chord strum-a-long books out there but most of them usually just give the chords and the lyrics and not much else. You definitely get a bit more with this book. That being said, if you are familiar with Justin's videos, there really isn't anything new in the book from what he says/does in his videos. So if you are looking for something new, you may be disappointed. I purchased this mainly because I am a visual learner and seeing strumming patterns and lyrics right in front of me makes learning a lot easier (as opposed to watching Justin's videos over and over again). If you have surpassed the beginner level in Justin's guitar course, I'd recommend skipping this. The song selection is great! With 100 songs, there is something for everyone across every skill level. Artists like Taylor Swift, Eric Clapton, Otis Redding, Don MacLean, Bob Marley and Johnny Cash are represented in the selection. I definitely recommend using this book with Justin's free online videos on YouTube or on his website as it gives the book's lessons more context. I ordered this book through a third-party seller supposedly located in Indiana, USA. Dispatch was quick but it took a while to arrive because it actually was shipped from overseas. As of this writing, Amazon doesn't offer this title directly but don't let that stop you. Highly recommended for beginners really looking to develop their skills and creativity.

Really great for learning chords, but not very useful for much else. I really wish the book addressed some basic guitar knowledge before jumping into chord playing (i.e. posture, hand placement, typical guitar hardware etc). The videos on his you tube Chanel are pretty much a must when using this book. Some songs do not have videos, so that's a real drag. He is a very likable teacher and has offered a very dynamic list of songs from a lot of different genres. I wasn't expecting to encounter any heavy metal at this early stage, so no surprises there. This book is great for working on chord changes and the songs he offers really have you feeling like your on your way from an early stage. Within a few months I've been able to "fall" into melodies and for a few fleeting moments I actually have felt like I was a guitarist! pros; easy to read, easy to follow, great variety in songs, very likable teacher persona. You WILL see progress if your a novice. cons; lessons teach you chords, and really that is it. You won't be moving around the fret board at all. Many songs lack accompanying online video. Needs an "intermediate" level follow up book.

This book is great to track along with the Justin Guitar course and app. The book contains tons of songs, tips, and help with strumming patterns for beginning guitar players. While I am using it to track along with the Grade 1 course, the book contains loads of lead sheets that we also used for to play along with on piano. Few Cons: I wish the book were larger and regular 8x11 paper. I would also be nice if it were April bound instead of bound like a normal book - so it sat on the music stand and stayed open without difficulty. Despite the cons, I’d still definitely recommend this Justin Guitar book for anyone taking the course!

Ma bonne résolution 2013, reprendre la guitare et ce bouquin est juste parfait ! des chansons connues avec des arrangements simples qui permettent une rapide prise en main. Bon tout est en anglais mais franchement c'est pas gênant d'autant qu'on peut aussi s'appuyer en complément sur les vidéos explicatives accessible gratuitement sur son site internet !

Come sempre, bel libro, ben scritto e funzionale. Consiglio l'acquisto del libro di lezioni base e l'utilizzo delle lezione su Youtube per completare questo prodotto.

If you want to follow along with the on line lessons, this book its a must have acquisition and you help Justin to continue the fantastic work.

Muy bien explicado, facilita el aprendizaje con una gran variedad de canciones

Excelente libro que complementa el curso de nivel inicial de Justinguitar, vienen las letras de las canciones con el acompañamiento rítmico y el patrón de rasgado de las cuerdas. El tenerlo en papel es muy cómodo para mí, a pesar de que soy defensor del formato electrónico, cuando toco la guitarra en mi habitación me gusta la comodidad que me proporciona el libro. Yo lo por dos razones: Primera: Como seguidor de las clases de guitarra de Justin tanto en su canal de YOUTUBE como en su BLOG, me parece un buen complemento a las ya de por sí excelentes clases que imparte Justin. Tiene varios cursos disponibles desde nivel inicial, Blues, etc. Muchisímo material pero bien ordenado para los que comenzamos en esto de la guitarra nos vayan abriendo el camino. Si estas comenzando con la guitarra o simplemente quieres mejorar, te recomiendo que visites su blog, no te va a decepcionar. La segunda razón es porque toda esta información que comparte es de manera gratuita y las donaciones, compra de material, etc ayudan para mantener el blog, el canal de YouTube y demás material lectivo, así que con lo que me estoy ahorrando en unas clases presenciales, que menos que contribuir a la causa para que siga siendo gratis.