Embarking on your guitar journey and eager to explore easy country songs? You've come to the right place. The world of country music is vast, and learning to play on the guitar can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. A well-crafted book can be your trusted companion, guiding you through variousmelodies and techniques.
But with so many options available, finding the perfect easy country songs on guitar book can be a challenge. This article aims to simplify that process by discussing key aspects to consider, popular choices, and tips to enhance your learning experience.
Key Aspects to Consider When Choosing an Easy Country Songs on Guitar Book
Before delving into the various options, consider the following aspects to make an informed decision:
1. **Song Selection**: Ensure the book includes a mix of classic and contemporary country songs that appeal to your tastes. Variety will keep your learning experience engaging and fun.
2. **Beginner-Friendly**: As a beginner, you'll want a book that progressive learning. It should start with basic chords and gradually introduce more complex techniques.
Understanding Chord Structures
Country music heavily relies on chord progressions. A good beginner's book will introduce essential chords like G, C, D, and Em early on, with clear diagrams and finger-placement instructions.
For example, the book might start with teaching "Carter Family" style tuning (also known as drop C tuning or "gDragon') to play simplified versions of songs like "Cripple Creek" or "Ing substrating Stomping Blues".
Learning Strums and Picking Patterns
Country music often features distinct rhythm patterns, from the straightforward boom-chick-boom of bluegrass to the more intricate Travis picking found in Texas blues. A comprehensive book will guide you through these strums and picking patterns, providing examples in various songs.
For instance, learning to play "Wildwood Flower" by the Carter Family can help you master simple travis picking, while attempting songs like "Crazy" by Patsy Cline can introduce boom-chick-boom strums.
Popular Easy Country Songs on Guitar Books
Now that we've discussed what to look for, let's explore three popular choices for learning easy country songs on the guitar:
1. "Hal Leonard Easy Guitar: Country Hits Book & Online Audio" by Pete Huttlinger
This book features 25 classic country songs, arranged in an easy-to-play format. It's suitable for beginners and includes online access to audio why you can play along with the songs. The tab and notation are clear and easy to follow, with chord diagrams included.
Songs include "Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash, "Wichita Lineman" by Glen Campbell, and "Crazy" by Patsy Cline. The accompanying website offers additional tools like guitar tunings, chord charts, and backing tracks.
2. "Country Guitar for Beginners" by Dan Denley
This book focuses on teaching essential techniques and playing styles through popular country songs. It's designed specifically for beginners, with clear instructions and diagrams. The accompanying CD provides backing tracks to practice with.
Songs like "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver and "Ghost Riders in the Sky" by Woody Guthrie are included, alongside explanations of techniques such as crosspicking, alternating bass, and slap-style playing.
3. "The Complete Country Guitar Method" by Pete Huttlinger
This comprehensive book covers a wide range of country styles, from bluegrass to slick, professional sounding country. It's more intermediate level but is not an exhaustive guide to the genre. The accompanying audio learns includes demonstrations and practice tracks.
The book features an eclectic mix of songs, including "The Band Perry"s "If I Die Young", "Direction Insinking"s "Drunk On A Plane", and "Don Williams" "I Believe In You". It covers techniques like fingerpicking patterns, hammer-ons, and pull-offs, among others.
Whether you're a beginner or an intermediate guitarist, a well-crafted easy country songs on guitar book can help you master the basics, expand your musical vocabulary, and develop your playing skills. Happy strumming!