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When you learn to read guitar sheet music it will be crucial in expanding your guitar playing skills. Playing by ear will only get you so far and I am here to help take it to the next step. I will show you some basic tips and tricks to help you learn to read guitar sheet music and that will make you a better and more versatile guitar player.

I will now give you a list that will show you it is not hard to learn to read guitar sheet music.

Setting your self up

You will need to be in a small quite room where you will not be distracted by anything when you learn to read guitar sheet music. The only way to know when you get it right is if it sounds right and it can be difficult do that if you have screaming kids in the room with you or loud street noise outside. Concentration is key and this will make it easier to learn how to read guitar sheet music. If you are distracted you may find a whole day can be wasted trying to focus.

Finding the right material

Most guitar books will have some basic sheet music and songs in the front pages that are designed to help you learn to read guitar sheet music quickly. Once you have basic guitar knowledge it is relatively easy to learn to read guitar sheet music. Start in small sections, one chord at a time. Use your guitar and play the chord out loud until you know it sounds correct.

Getting started

Remember what I said, be free from distraction! I cannot stress that enough. Now you’re alone and it’s quiet, find a music book with sheet music, try to pick something easy but also try to pick something you are familiar with. It makes it much easier to learn to read guitar sheet music if you are familiar with the tune. Make sure you are confident with one piece before you move on to the next.

Continue practicing

Be sure to practice as often as you can, you will find that the better you get the more you will practice. When you really enjoy something you will usually apply more time to it. Learning to read guitar sheet music is easy as long as you practice! Once you have mastered reading sheet music then you can start to write you own music and that is where the real fun begins! It is critical to make sure you are confident or you will only have to go back and learn to read guitar sheet music all over again.

Get “The Beginners Guide To Unlocking The Guitar!”

George Benson Interview

by Dr. Matthew Warnock.
Forty-five years after releasing his debut album The New Boss Guitar, jazz guitarist George Benson is still going strong. With the upcoming August 25, 2009, release date set for his latest studio album Songs And Stories, the ten-time Grammy winner pays tribute to some of his favorite songwriters and composers. Featuring an all-star line up that includes bassist Marcus Miller, guitarists Lee Ritenour and Toninho Horta, saxophonists Tom Scott and Gerald Albright, among others, Benson and company come together to produce an album that is not only a tribute to great songwriters, it is also a reflection of more than four decades of experience by one of jazz’s greatest instrumentalists and vocalists. The tracks on the album are a mixture of re-interpretations of classic tunes, such as Christopher Cross’ “Sailing” and James Taylor’s “Don’t Let Me be Lonely Tonight,” alongside new songs written by some of the music industry’s greatest songsmiths. The track “Family Reunion” was penned by Ron Templeton, who wrote Benson’s worldwide hit song “Give Me the Night” from the guitarist’s 1976 smash hit album Breezin’. Songwriter Bill Withers came out of retirement to write the track “A Telephone Call Away,” which is one of the album’s finest lyrical and instrumental moments. Other songwriters who made contributions to Songs and Stories include Smokey Robinson, Lamont Dozier, Donny Hathaway and several others…

Ace Frehley Interview

by Dr. Matthew Warnock.
Ace Frehley is a patient man. After releasing his fourth solo studio album, Trouble Walkin’, Frehley became musically sidetracked with other projects including the KISS “Unplugged” concert and several highly successful reunion tours with the hottest band in the land. As the second of these reunion tours came to a close, Frehley decided to shift his creative focus back to his solo career and began writing, producing and recording his highly anticipated new album Anomaly. Anomaly features Frehley originals and one cover of Sweet’s classic song “Fox on the Run.” With long-time bandmate Anton Fig on drums, the songs feature hard-driving grooves and catchy guitar riffs that have become a staple of Frehley’s work, both as a solo artist and with KISS. Set for release on September 15, 2009, the new CD is Frehley’s fifth solo release and first since 1989…

Sonny Landreth Interview

by Dr. Matthew Warnock.
Born in Mississippi and raised in the cultural Mecca of Southern Louisiana, slide guitarist Sonny Landreth seemed destined to be a musical talent from a very early age. Growing up surrounded by the jazz, second line and R&B of New Orleans, the Delta blues of his home state, the exciting rock ‘n’ roll music being heard on the nation’s radio stations, and local Zydeco bands, has led Landreth to become a diverse musician solidly grounded in the blues music that he loves. His multi-fingered approach to the slide, where he mixes fretted notes behind the slide that he keeps on his pinky finger, has redefined the public’s perception of what a slide guitar player can accomplish. Though he is a virtuosic guitarist and performer, Landreth is also an accomplished songwriter whose writing adds a new dimension of musicality to his guitar artistry…

Vinnie Moore Interview

by Dr. Matthew Warnock.
Vinnie Moore has long since established himself as one of the leading rock guitarists of his generation. After impressing Mike Varney of Shrapnel records at the age of twelve, Moore was chosen to showcase his guitar talent on a national Pepsi commercial which brought him his first widespread exposure as a guitarist to watch out for. Since then Moore has found success as both a leader, including his vastly popular first album Mind’s Eye featuring Tony MacAlpine on keys, and as a sideman in such bands as U.F.O., Vicious Rumors and as a member of Alice Cooper’s band. With over twenty-five years in the business, Moore continues to steadily release new material and perform to sold out houses all over the world. Moore’s latest CD To the Core showcases the guitarist’s advanced melodic approach, his lightening fast chops and ability as a modern rock songwriter. The album also showcases the many different styles and genres of music that have influenced Moore over the years. Moore’s writing and soloing melds elements of rock, blues, jazz-fusion and metal to form a musical style that can only be described as Vinnie Moore…

James Burton Interview

by Dr. Matthew Warnock.
To say that guitarist James Burton is busy would be a gross understatement. With his 70th birthday right around the corner, the Louisiana native shows no sign of slowing down. After a highly successful career as both a leader and a sideman spanning more than 50 years, most guitarists would be looking forward to hanging up the axe and enjoying some time off, but not Burton. Having recently returned from performing in Holland with the TCB band, he’s busy preparing for the upcoming James Burton International Guitar Festival that takes place in Shreveport, Louisiana, August 21 - 23. The annual festival, which began in 2005, helps support Burton’s charity effort, The James Burton Foundation, and features a Who’s Who of the guitar world and a special concert by the “Wild Man of the Telecaster” himself on Saturday night. This year’s festival will feature added excitement as Burton and company hope to break the world record for the most guitarists playing the same song at the same time. While breaking the record will be an enjoyable experience for both Burton and those participating, it will more importantly bring nationwide attention to the wonderful work he and his foundation are doing. As of this interview, more than 4,000 children have received free guitars and instruction through the work of Burton’s charity…

Martin Barre (Jethro Tull) Inteview

by Rick Landers.
During the 1970s, Martin Barre’s gritty guitar work helped propel Jethro Tull up the charts with now classic tracks such as “Aqualung,” “Bungle in the Jungle,” “Cross-Eyed Mary,” and “Locomotive Breath.” While his riffs on “Aqualung” echoed vocalist Ian Anderson’s broken-luck lyrics, they also convulsively shoved the song into the dark cavities of our minds. Anderson’s dramatic on-stage antics and huffing flute work would have overshadowed most guitarists, but with uncanny precision, Barre always knew when to weave in and out and when to pounce. Guitar Player readers voted Barre’s playing on “Aqualung” as one of the top guitar solos of all time. Later, a Guitar World reader poll would rank it as the 25th Greatest Guitar Solo. But, to better appreciate Barre’s musical senses and guitar talents it’s valuable to listen to several albums, including Martin’s fine solo work. No one trick pony, Martin Barre knows how to musically frame and drive a lyric by loading up with a heavy hitting lead or a more delicately nuanced riff…

Paul Mahon (The Answer) Interview

by Brian D. Holland.
Though some rock fans might still be in the dark about this, and they’ve certainly got to be an isolated and diminutive bunch, The Answer is the hard-rocking foursome out of County Down, Ireland. The group has been touring the globe over the past year opening for AC/DC on the Black Ice Tour. By definition alone, one might think that a label as bold as The Answer is a reference to something that’s the real deal, or the actual solution to something. If you’re wondering if that’s the case in this situation, many rock fans seem to think so. The truth is, and it’s not exactly a news flash, authentic hard-rock bands aren’t what they used to be in numbers. Sure, there are a few around, the paradigm being the above mentioned tour headliner. But, not many young bands possess the invigorating power and surging force that Led Zeppelin, Thin Lizzy, Humble Pie, and others exerted back in the ’70s. It’s unfortunate, because a prevailing thirst still exists for that particular style. AC/DC and their mega sold out tour is evidence of it…

Pete Huttlinger Interview

by Rick Landers.
On May 3, 2009, fingerstyle guitarist Pete Huttlinger and the lovely LeAnn Rimes shared the stage at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C., as part of the 2009 Kennedy Center Spring Gala presentation, A Celebration of Women in the Arts. Pete and LeAnn have performed together before with Pete’s guitar work a perfect complement to the singers vocals, much like Pete’s work during the ’90s with the late John Denver and with many more of the world’s finest troubadours. But, one thing that sets Pete apart from the crowd is his strong work ethic and precise professional focus. Although born in Washington, D.C., early on after his father passed away his mother moved the family to California. Soon enough, Pete would discover the world of guitars and practice, study and perform his way to a solid music career. After high school, he moved to Boston to study at the Berklee College of Music where he graduated cum laude in 1984. He and a friend would plant themselves on Beantown street corners to make some loot and gain some streetwise insights into…

Jorma Kaukonen Interview

by Rick Landers.
When we saw that famed guitarist Jorma Kaukonen and bassist Jack Casady of Hot Tuna were headed to the Birchmere, Alexandria, Virginia, we knew it wasn’t an opportunity to miss. Rarely does Modern Guitars get a chance to catch up with musicians who have performed together and stoked a full steam of friendship for 50 years. Since the early ‘60s, Jorma and Jack have shared their love of music and experienced the spirited upheaval of rock stardom as members of Jefferson Airplane, the group that featured vocalist Grace Slick who belted out the rock classic, “Somebody to Love,” and melodically droned the phantasmagorical reverence of “White Rabbit.” It was the age of psychedelia and as much as drugs pierced the veil of the status quo, the music itself was mind altering with Jefferson Airplane searing hot in the klieg lights of the moment…

Chuck Loeb Interview

by Michael Shea.
Chuck Loeb grew up in Nyack, NY, a suburb of New York City and at the age of 11, decided music was what he wanted to do with his life. After teaching himself guitar and playing in local bands for several years, his talent was so evident that, before he graduated from high school, he was studying with jazz guitar legend Jim Hall. After high school, he attended Berklee College of Music for two years before heading to New York City to work as a sideman for a number of jazz artists. In 1979, when he was 23 years old, Chuck joined the Stan Getz band, where he was able to hone his skills as a musician, performer, composer, and musical director. During this period, Chuck met and married Carmen Cuesta, a singer-songwriter from Madrid, Spain…Chuck currently records for Heads Up International. Modern Guitars talked to Chuck just before the March 24, 2009, release of his latest recording, Between 2 Worlds…

Vieux Farka Touré Interview

by Rick Landers.
Mali-born guitarist Vieux Farka Touré’s musical inclinations come naturally. His father, Ali Farka Touré (1939 - 2006), was an internationally acclaimed musician who weaved together the complex rhythms and traditional style of Malian music with American blues, and was listed at the 76 spot on Rolling Stone’s compilation of The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. Though his father urged him to join the military, Vieux discovered that he both loved and had a talent for music. It was to become his passion. Recognizing and valuing his son’s talents, Ali asked his friend and legendary African kora player, Toumani Diabaté, to professionally mentor his son. The die was caste and Vieux Farka Touré began to make his mark in his native Mali and soon his name was on foreign tongues who were captivated by the young musician and spread the word worldwide…

Tony McManus Interview

by Rick Landers.
Although Tony McManus clearly has a reputation as a leading Celtic guitarist, the ancient roots of the music itself are somewhat nebulous. Strains can be found originating in Ireland and Scotland, as well as other unexpected places such as Portugal. Whatever the origins, the music found its way to America and infiltrated the melodic intentions of Appalachian musicians, as well as gained popularity around the world. Irish born McManus delights in the sparkling guitar tunings of the genre and his league of world-wide fans grows with each new album. He taught himself guitar at an early age and after ending his academic pursuits he could be found as a session guitarist in Glasgow and Edinburgh. In 1996, Tony released his self-titled debut album on the Greentrax Recordings label. Next up was his Pourquoi Quebec that drew international attention. His reputation began to soar when Nashville’s Compass Records issued his Ceol More CD that featured arrangements of Charles Mingus’s jazz classic “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat”…

JJ Grey Interview

by Brian D. Holland.
It’s easily understood that inspiration drives the music of JJ Grey & MOFRO, as influence radiates from it in an interesting and colorful manner. Though much of it is surrounded in a raw yet contemporary swamp rock ambiance, it possesses elements of southern rock, soul, R&B, folk, gospel, blues, and especially funk. The music parallels the lyrical image flawlessly in setting, emotion and significance. JJ Grey paints a picture of the rural South, especially the Florida backwoods, where images of alligators and cypress amid swampy terrain effortlessly come to mind. He grew up in and around Jacksonville, Florida, close to the wetland areas he sings about, and close to the Orange and Lochloosa Lakes as well. The rugged wetland environment comes to life in songs like “Florida,” “Lochloosa,” and “Turpentine,” and haunting stories of poverty and misfortune (”Country Ghetto,” “Ten Thousand Islands,” and “Brighter Days”) sit contently among songs of hope and affection (”Orange Blossoms,” “A Woman,” and “The Truth”) in all four of the band’s CDs. It’s even very Southern Gothic at times, especially in the lyrical content of “The Devil You Know” and “Tragic.” Via first and secondhand experiences of their narrator, the tales depict life’s ambiguous and complex situations in a genuine and practical manner…

Martin Taylor Interview

by Rick Landers.
During his performance at the Inter-American Series of Concerts, Lectures and Films in Washington, D.C., in October 2008, Scottish guitarist Martin Taylor kept the show rolling with solo jazz guitar tunes that were technically complex, yet stylishly smooth and nuanced. Inspired since childhood by gypsy jazz legend Django Rheinhardt and his Quintette du Hot Club of France, jazz guitar has been the staple of Martin’s repertoire.He began playing guitar at the ripe old age of eight in his father’s jazz band and would later leave school at 15 to become a professional musician. A chance meeting with Django’s Hot Club violinist, Stephane Grappelli, eventually led to an invitation for Martin to join the group. Martin would grow as an artist under the wing of Grappelli and his guitar prowess blossomed while he gathered acclaim as one of the best jazz guitarists in the world. Taylor’s musical accomplishments have been recognized by many and have included…

Joey Molland (Badfinger) Interview

by Rick Landers.
When Badfinger’s first record was released rumors ran amok that the Beatles were the artists behind the songs and that the Fab Four had playfully renamed themselves to see if the album would do well without the Beatles magic to help lift it up the charts. This wasn’t a far fetched notion. The album, Magic Christian Music, was released in 1970 on the Beatles’ Apple label and the harmonies and style captured the pop spunk of Paul McCartney’s work. In fact, McCartney penned the group’s first U.S. charted hit, “Come and Get It.” Badfinger would enjoy all the spoils of fame, but would also suffer through a litany of stereotypical rock ‘n’ roll collapses from bad management, financial entanglements, legal disputes, poor record sales and the tragic suicides of Peter Ham (vocalist, guitar, keyboards) and…

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