The Complete Illustrated Book of the Acoustic Guitar

This is a comprehensive introduction to the guitar, including a practical playing manual, a historical overview of the instrument, a directory of over 150 acoustic guitars, and more than 900 photographs and illustrations. It is an easy-to-follow beginner's guide to playing the guitar, with a detailed chordfinder and step-by-step instructions for mastering a range of musical styles, including blues, country, jazz, classical and flamenco. It includes a beautifully illustrated directory of guitars, from the early 16th century up to the modern day, and a complete historical overview of the origins and development of this universally popular instrument. It comes with features on influential acoustic heroes, such as Robert Johnson, Django Rheinhardt, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Julian Bream, Phil Keaggy, and many more. The guitar is a fascinating instrument that has been around in various forms for thousands of years, and it continues to be the instrument of choice for many musicians today. This book will guide you through all you need to know to play an acoustic guitar, from buying the right guitar and learning the basic chords to mastering advanced techniques. A history section covers the evolution and development of the guitar, from the first plucked strings through to the modern instruments of today. The book also includes a fully illustrated directory exploring the many types of guitar in depth, from early 16th-century variants through to steel-strings, resonator guitars, acoustic basses, and more.