Hal Leonard Fretboard Mastery Book with CD Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Fretboard Mastery is an excellent book for any guitar teacher looking for a great text to use when working with students.It's perfect for helping in building a progressive, organized curriculum, especially when used in conjunction with a couple other books on theory (such as Edly's Music Theory for Practical People and The Everything Music Theory Book.After all, Fretboard Mastery covers a lot, but it doesn't cover everything that you'll want to have in your tool box when dealing with a wide variety of students.It's excellent for rock and metal genres, although you will want to cover other theory ideas and techniques as well.As for classical and jazz harmony and melody, you will definitely need to go beyond the pages of this book.

I've been learning from Troy Stetina's books since I first started playing (oh, so long ago), starting with Heavy Metal Guitar Tricks (back when it was first published), and moving right through the rhythm and lead books to the present publications.I've always found his books to be the best instructional ones on the market for the aspiring rock and metal guitarist, although nothing can compare to a college level music education and some formal lessons (everyone setting out on an expedition needs a sherpa until they can find their way on their own).

While Fretboard Mastery is considered by Stetina to be a companion to Speed Mechanics for Lead Guitar, I tend to think it's actually more of a natural companion to Total Rock Guitar, which applies rhythm, riffing, arpeggiations, chord progressions, melodies, and leads much more comprehensively and extensively than the shred-oriented Speed Mechanics (and this is coming from a shred-oriented guitarist).I think those two books complement one another perfectly.While one gives you the strong foundation in fundamentals (Fretboard Mastery), the other takes you through rock, pop, and metal genres while applying those fundamentals (Total Rock Guitar).Also, total rock guitar introduces many things that Fretboard Mastery doesn't cover or only touches briefly, and all in the context of contemporary compositions in multiple styles.

Fretboard Mastery initially concentrates heavily on ear-training which is ultra-important to any student who wants to really hear the music and translate it to their fingers, helping to open up the fretboard to composing and transposing.Anyone who goes for a formal education is required to take four semesters of Aural Skills classes, and not without good reason; a well-developed ear is critical to a seasoned musician.The ear-training addresses notes, intervals, scales, melodies, and harmony.

Major and minor scales are covered in one octave, two octaves, positions, single-strings, horizontally, and also what Stetina refers to a hexatonic scale "chunking," an excellent tool, not only for speedy shred noodling, but also for the dynamics of moving through positions on the fretboard as a vehicle from point A to point B or for repeating riffs, licks, or melodies while moving them through the octaves.

Major and minor scales are harmonized, as are the modes.The harmonic minor, phrygian dominant, blues, pentatonics, and even melodic minor (albeit briefly on the latter) are addressed.Major, minor, full- and half-diminished, augmented, and the various seventh chords are introduced.By the end of the book, some basic extended and altered chords are added to the repertoire, as are the diminished and whole tone scales.

Two excellent----and important----concepts that are introduced are resolutions, a little bit of voice leading (briefly), and modal mixture.These are too often understated or overlooked (or unexplained!!) in most books, so it's wonderful to see them addressed here.Cadences are also presented.I think I even spotted some reference to secondary dominants (V/x).

Before the book is finished, some exotic scales are listed and there's a nice introduction to outside playing (my favorite), with some examples from Stetina's Exottica release.His original tune Sunrise is also transcribed in its entirety.

All in all, there is a vast wealth of information contained within these pages, ready to mined by any ambitious student willing to dedicate the time and effort to the task; the benefits will be immense to anyone who does.It's an excellent book for guitar teachers to use with beginning and intermediate students...even advanced students who might show some weaknesses in particular areas (perhaps ear development).I think anyone who uses this along with Total Rock Guitar will be able to take their playing to completely new heights.Even better, using Fretboard Mastery with the entire Stetina series will be like a college course in metal and rock guitar proficiency.

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Product Description:
Untangle the mysterious regions of the guitar fretboard and unlock your potential. Fretboard Mastery familiarizes you with all the shapes you need to know by applying them in real musical examples, thereby reinforcing and reaffirming your newfound knowledge. The result is a much higher level of comprehension and retention.

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