Beginner's Songbook: Quick Review

[Majik]

[ mod edit - I created this thread for ease and organisation ... it contains several separate threads that have been merged in to one  - thanks  ]



My Beginner's Songbook arrived this morning!

This is only a "first impression" review as I've not really spent any time with it.

This is clearly a quality product. The quality of the printing and binding is excellent and the layout of the pages is clear and concise. The cover design looks great, and I love the index with the started/learned/performed boxes you can use to track progress.

My only criticism here is that the type of bind used makes it a little difficult to lay the book flat on a table or music stand to use it whilst your hands are occupied on the guitar. I wonder whether a ring binding or lay-flat adhesive binding might have been a better choice?

The songs seem to be well presented along with lyrics, suggested approach, strumming patterns, and in key cases suggested recordings to listen to. As the songs progress there is development in terms of difficulty of strumming pattern and number of chord changes, as well as new chords and, in some cases, riffs and bass-lines to try out.

All in all this seems to be one of the best songbooks I have ever seen for beginners to intermediate level, and it is a complete bargain at £14.95.

I look forward to getting to know it better in the near future.

Cheers,

Keith

[WrexTheDragon]

I agree 100%

Cracking book but would benifit by having a spiral binding so it could lay flat.

Well worth the money, and looking forward to the next book.

[j2d2]

Use a music stand, and two clothes pegs to hold the book open. Works brilliantly.

[Majik]

I use Bulldog clips, but a stay-flat binding would be better.

Cheers,

Keith

[mattywarr]

Use the fact you can't keep it open as inspiration to memorise the songs as quickly as possible! :-D As Justin always says, its no good on the paper, needs to be in the head. Then use the book as reference in case you forget :-)

I prefer the concept of an actual bound book anyway, it just looks a bit more professional I think and feel like it would be value for money. (I haven't gotten around to buying it yet)

[misterg]

Totally agree!

I got mine on Monday.

I'd seen the comments here, so was expecting something good.

I have to say, I was impressed, even so.

This is a really professionally produced book.

The graphics & layout are top class, and very clear and well printed.

The songs, the hints and the information are clearly laid out. The hints and tips are brief, but get the points across very clearly.

I would pay extra for a spiral binding.

I looked at a beginner's song book in a music shop last year - it looked very modern, but when I opened it, the songs were straight out of the 'Hy White play-in-a-day' type book my dad had in the 1960s (Blue Tail Fly, Go Tell Aunt Rhodie, etc. !!)

Unless you hate every song in it, this book is a bargain  .

Andy

[Jekyll]

Great book.

Had mine a few days now and have found it to be very well  thought out put together.


Any chance of an ebook version for the iPad?

Jekyll

[Maturestudent]

My book arrived this morning and i have to say its fantastic, its been clearly well written by some one who actually cares about what they are doing and not just thinking of the profits, so well done to Justin and his team.

The only draw back and its only a small draw back which has been mentioned before it could of been done with spiral binding, so maybe the next book could be done with this in mind, so once again Justin well done.

[chipbutty]

Hi, MASSIVE thanks to all in production and especially to Justin. This book is simply fantastic.

Cheers (the Chip)

[angryIsAnEnergy]

Great book.

Had mine a few days now and have found it to be very well  thought out put together.


Any chance of an ebook version for the iPad?

Jekyll

Got mine today.  Woohoo

I'd agree, but would ask for a Kindle version?  Or a HTML version perhaps?

[angryIsAnEnergy]

Oh yeah, I wanted to also thank you for making me listen to some fantastic songs that I've (stupidly) not listened to for too long
 

[ryo66]

Hi I would had liked book in A4 format with ring binding would make it easier to sit on music stand could this be a posibility in future apart from that a great book very helpful look forward to using it

[bassaidai]

Hi Justin,

just got your Songbook. The first impression is great. Can't wait to take a deeper look.

Also at the first impression my recommendation for the next book would be a "Spiral Binding".
With this binding it will be hard to keep it open while playing and it is nearly not possible, to place it on a music stand.

Keep on going with your great work.........

greetings from germany
michael

[decies]

I have it fine on a music stand, use pegs or I have this magnet spring holder called hold the note keeps the pages open , try musicnotables.co.uk

[decies]

http://www.musicnotables.co.uk/images/products-large/hold-that-note-magnet.jpg