Slide Guitar: Know the Players, Play the Music Spiral-bound – January 1, 2005

The accompanying CD begins naturally enough with the author introducing himself by showing off his slide chops. His intonation is off and his playing is sloppy. Unfortunately the book and package are just as inept. For starters, the CD tracks don't match the numbers that are given in the book. A completely different system of numbering is used for the CD tracks making it hard to pick out the tracks you want to hear. Also, the notation of the examples is constantly in error. It is as if the author was not familiar with music notation. There are errors in rhythmic notation throughout in addition to improper notational conventions. Also, with all of the excercises in G tuning, B flat is written as A sharp which will drive any educated musician crazy. For instance; the C7 chord is spelled C-E-G-A#. How did that get past the editors? The first part of the book is a survey of slide guitar players from the past to the present which is informative. But on page 40 he talks about Jimmy Page, and the photo that goes with Jimmy Page? None other than Syd Barrett! (Pink Floyd). This makes me question the veracity and accuracy of the information within. I plan on seeking out other materials.

Good beginner book for someone that wants to learn the techique and style of a slide guitar. Great for left- or right handed people. Also makes for good therapy after an accident.

Learning to play with a slide is like forgetting you've been playing guitar for over 50 years. This book has a lot of short bios about the great slide guitar players of America.

Over the past six months I've purchased a half dozen books and DVDs in order to learn slide guitar, but this is the book I return to over and over again. The book and helpful CD begin with exercises that help develop basic slide technique and then progress from simple songs and riffs to more complex, full length songs. Madsen includes many of his own original compositions in several different styles that really give you a flavor for this great musical art form. Highly recommended.

For anyone with an interest in slide or alternating bass thumb picking, Pete's your man. He knows his stuff, and this book is as much a tour of the style and his personal tastes, as a primer on playing. Pete is a great player, and the guy any sane person would want as a teacher. The book is full of the types of explanations, exercises, and song titles you could expect as his student. If you aren't where he's at, this book's the next best thing.

The book is attractively laid out and the history and biographical sketches of famous or important slide players adds something to the overall product. However, as another reviewer has noted, the titles of the tracks as cited in the text does not match up with the tracks on the CD. You will have to go through all 54 tracks and write the number of the actual track onto the text. Pete Madsen might be a fine player, but the publisher needs to fire the editor that let this product out the door.

A well written guide with an accompanying Cd that tells what you really want to know. Some of the later targets left me breathless but the course is structured so that even players of my ability can expect to be playing decent slide in a reasonable time. The history (part one of the folder) I found interesting and inspiring and really well researched.Amazon's service was excellent.I cannot recommend this package highly enough for beginner or intermediate guitarists who want to learn slide guitar.

This is a very interesting book for anyone who likes the blues and of course for those who want to learn the slide guitar technique. I haven't tried the instruction section yet but the very good section talking about performers current and from the past is worth the price of the book anyway! I think the technical section may prove a little challenging for a beginner but this is a very well put together book with a lot to interest anyone who loves the Blues!

A very interesting book takes you step by step although it may not seem clear as you work through the small riffs the culmination of them at the end of a few exercises become clear when put together in a 12 bar piece,Also a wonderful insight into players of the genre past and present in conclusion a great book that on face value is very good and will become even better as the information sinks in when you say to yourself..."Ah thats how/why",,,5 stars.

very well presented book. A little too much history for my liking, but some people would like this. Lots of good stuff to learn. Just one comment:-On the tracks that have backing behind the lead, I would have liked the backing on a seperate track so I could play along with it. I had to make up my own backing tracks. Still a great book though, spiral boundcsomit will lay flat, and good value at £16.95

A great book for anyone who whats to start playing side. if you can find it buy it