Thoughts on Hal Leonard's Guitar Method (book 1)

Hey guys my name's John. I have been teaching multiple styles of guitar for past 9 years. I have read through and used many types of methods. This book is still my go to when teaching students. And I used it as well when I first started learning and although it works, it's missing A LOT. Let me know what you think.

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About FTCG:
My name is John Cesar and I am a classical guitarist from New England. If you are reading this thank you so much for checking out my YouTube channel! The goal my trail is to share classical guitar content that I wish existed when I first started learning Classical Guitar. I have been studying Classical Guitar for over 10 years. Anyway check up on my videos if you were interested in learning more about classical guitar!

[NickCutroneo]

I don't think this book is really meant to be used without a teacher. Many of the points you bring up are 100% valid, especially looking at the book from the perspective of a self-taught guitarist looking for information to learn how to play. But at the end of the day, the strength of any method book is going to be in working with a teacher and the method they use. Also - I personally think the last 2 pieces of the book are a big anti-climatic, and choose to end a student's work in the book at Minuet in G. It's a nice larger scale piece, played as a duet and has a finality of all the skill sets that a student could potentially learn during their studies. Finally, I think a better view of the method is to look at all 3 books together, and seeing how a student progresses through the full method. With that said, for me and my students it's merely a tool for us to use. We takes what's useful for them and ignore the things that aren't useful for us in our lessons. I'm always on the quest for the "perfect" method book that I can use with my students. I fell this is a never ending quest.

[supershade]

The first 30 seconds of the video just gave me flashbacks to my first music lessons in like 2009.

[LicksoftheLegend]

I actually love the Hal Leonard series I've used them for about 10 years and I grew up on book 1 myself. I find they are phenomenal for students under 10 years old or students who long term will get into classical guitar as it presents sheet music reading in a much simpler easy to digest way as opposed to something like the berklee method which by page 1 has introduced every single note in first position . The other thing is works well with is parents who want there child learning in a more formal way I find some parents think learning rock songs somehow appears less professional. I have had students go through all 3 volumes but I must admit after volume 1 they usually want to move on to other styles of music. I think you make some great points on the book in this video and it's great seeing other teachers use this method book.

[flexmasterson]

I am 62 and never played an instrument. I thought the Method books were excellent.

[mnoir]

Like any instrument, it’s best to have an actual teacher. That’s what these books are made for.

[driftingsun]

A couple of counterpoints -

You mentioned "years of hard work" at the beginning of the video - I....don't know if you meant to state this, or if you meant more like months, but used the wrong term by mistake. It should not take "years" to get through the first book, even for the slowest of learners. My memory of my guitar lessons as a teenager back in the early 90's is somewhat foggy, but I think it was a couple of months of weekly lessons to get through book 1.

Some of your observations of the weaknesses of this book are addressed in the subsequent 2 books of the series - like, playing in different positions - the books follow a logical progression from simple to more complex. Starting in first position and learning all your standard open chords and such before moving on up the neck is common in guitar methods for beginners. You admitted in the comments to not reading/going through books 2 and 3.

The 3 books together represent a pretty logical progression from learning single notes on single strings, all the way up to chord progressions, keys, circle of fifths, etc. The songs that are used to illustrate and practice the skills and knowledge slowly increase in complexity. Adult learners I think do okay with the books as standalone without teachers - particularly with the wealth of supplemental internet resources nowadays. A young novice learner would definitely need to have access to a live teacher to fill in the gaps, and elaborate/expand on concepts. Beginner method books are probably most unappealing to teenage learners, as they typically lack patience for the "boring fundamentals" - and want to skip right to playing their favorite popular songs.

[auguseterrible]

For the total beginners, there are no books for that. I uses my own method that works for all on how to read notes before any books like Hal Leonard.

[maxvoloshin_nefariousaquarius]

I've been teaching out of both this and the Mel Bay book. It's great for kids who can't think abstractly yet. But I must admit that most of them will want to do playing that has nothing to do with these beginner methods.

[lzimmer]

I've been teaching guitar for decades now both private and class lessons. Within that time I think I've used to some capacity most every book out there. Most method books are really not good, or intended, for self guided learning. Frederick Noad's "Solo Guitar Playing" states that you can teach yourself with the book and it's probably the worse one to try that with, though it's a great book with a competent teacher in private or class situations. For a basic style method book I thing Hal Leonard Method is pretty good. I like the complete one with books 1, 2, and 3 combined. You do have to use it adapting to the student being taught with consideration to age, level, interests, etc... I have yet to find a book that I didn't need to supplement materials along with. Yes, note spelling and rhythmic exercises have to be stressed throughout, with a self guided student probably wouldn't do that. I look at this or any method book as just one of the tools to be used during the lesson, not as something to merely "spoon feed" the student with.

[almyers]

IMO you should consider that everyone is not like you. The book is directed at theory and the beginner. Because you have a problem with simplicity is your problem. You have a developmental disability. It's not the book. Get it?

[hobonickel]

What would be a good recommend for someone with yesrs of experience playing guitar but want to learn southern folk in old school style of Jake Xerxes Fussel? Any advice you can give me to help me find resources will be greatly appreciated

[sabeehb]

I recently bought a guitar as a complete beginner. I started watching YouTube videos of those mentioned often as being the best courses. Most people said Justin Guitar is the best. I tried it but it was very difficult ie immediately he was teaching a 3 finger chord - crazy !! He should know it is almost impossible for a complete beginner to do this. So I bought the Hal Leonard book (books 1 to 3 in one book) and it is really great. There are a whole set of free YouTube videos by Nick Tolman (if you Google 'Nick Tolman music' under videos you will find it) that go through every lesson in the Hal Leonard method books. It is brilliant!

[JosueMartinez-wdyu]

People simply want to learn how to play music and I think that such methods book are geared to teaching a person how to READ music. YES it has some important information, but if you think, how many times will a person after they learn and go through such method books will they continue reading music just to simply learn a song. People nowadays want things fast and effortless. Thus cutting to the chase would basically more beneficial to the student. Elements that I think a method book should have in the effort to teach a person how to play music should be as follow:
1) how to hold the instrument
2) tuning the instrument
3) training right hand to chords
4) learning simple 4/4 and 6/8 rhythmic patterns
This is not to say that you can add a bit of reading music notation, BUT again, this brings a whole lot of complex situation. People love to read chord charts instead of reading music notation. Such way of teaching would also focus more on the ear training and less time on reading music notation. REMEMBER, people want to learn how to play music, NOT be a MUSIC TEACHER. People want to have FUN playing music. Lastly, I think that by learning how to play music as quick as possible, the student may be motivated to go further. Thus reading music notation can then be taught. GREAT VIDEO.

[accentontheoff]

So, what would you recommend instead. For someone into rock, blues, jazz and such. Thanks.

[davejones]

I do not know why it would take ~ 2 years to get through about 50 pages of material for the first book. It would only be a year if you only managed to learn one page per week. But that aside, what method do you think is better? It is easy to find fault, but what about suggesting some alternatives?

[pandorakid]

I love the Hal Leonard book! easy to follow, fun to play.
eventually I will get a teacher

[muhammadsteinberg]

I couldn't disagree more.
You either listen to music and learn to play by ear or you learn thru a book....add teacher if you like.
Hal leonard, Mel Bay and others are about as simple as it gets. The information in the beginning is dry but they're trying to teach good habits. Check tuning before you play, holding the guitar correctly, holding the pick correctly. If you don't have the discipline to read and follow basic instruction you most likely will NOT stay with the guitar.
Learning to play can be enjoyable and extremely frustrating all in one. The guitar is very unforgiving to learn and if you develop bad happens in the beginning you'll sound like crap and have a hard time trying to break them.

[tanya]

Years of hard work??? My son went through that book in a few months with his teacher....

[photopicker]

I learned from records and players. I studied music formerly in high school and college while playing solo and in bands. You are expecting something a book can never deliver. The whole picture. The only time you get the whole picture is when you set a piece down in front of you and learn how to play it. I have used many books in the past but music is still the ultimate discipline, whether on the page or by recording.

[andrewmartin]

Has this guy even ever bothered to get a classical guitar? He is playing a steel string instrument and paying no regard to the basics of playing position.