Finallyan intuitive, single-source standardization for naming guitar chords in the 21st century!
A honing of guitar theory as a subcategory of music theory.
Commonsense approach to all things guitar chord, including how to label alternate chord voicings.
New concepts, including natural harmonics chords, unison chords, and octaval chords.
A massive Instructional Glossary with clear and precise definitions, benefiting both guitarists and
music theorists alike.
Appendices containing 747 graphical guitar chord boxes and definitions for several guitar tunings:
Standard
Open Major A/E
Open Major G/D
Drop D
Double Drop D
Bruce Palmer Modal
"Band of Witches" sample song sheet.
Procedures for registering a copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office.
Introduction to U.S. copyright law's fair use doctrine, including a comparison of mechanical and
sync licenses.
Presented in an easy-to-read, connect-the-dots manner.
An absolute must-read for the guitarist wanting to transcribe new sound-creations into guitar chords.
The only textbook needed for a Progressive Guitar Theory 105 course.
Though geared toward the needs of a seasoned guitarist,
this book contains a wealth of information that will benefit
anyone, from the casual campfire-strumming enthusiast
to avid music theorists looking for a greater understanding
of the challenges facing non-sight-reading guitar players.
About the Author
Joseph Davis is a guitar hobbyist whose passion for music emerged in the summer of 1966 after a couple of informal guitar lessons at Camp Echo in New York's Catskill Mountains. Over the next few years he also studied piano while continuing to develop as a serious guitarist. In the late 1960s and early 1970s Joe played electric guitar and occasionally organ in local bands in Miami, Florida, and later in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Inspired by the musicianship of a high school friend, in late 1971 Joe switched his focus to acoustic guitar. With his enlistment in the United States Navy in the autumn of 1975, Joe's initial plans of becoming a professional guitarist gave way to a career in the military.
While serving in the armed forces, in May 1985 Joe earned an Associate of Science (AS) degree in Electronics Technology from San Diego City College. Three years later he received a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Atmospheric Science from the University Of Kansas in Lawrence, leading to a commission as an unrestricted line officer. During his twilight naval tour, Joe owned and operated what was then San Diego's only franchised ATA (American Taekwondo Association) Black Belt Academy. Joe also holds six information technology certifications, including Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE).
Joe continued playing guitar throughout his years in the navy, which included teaming up with shipmates for gigs at local nightclubs in southeast San Diego and occasional impromptu engagements, such as an overseas performance in the Philippines. Throughout his naval adventure, Joe wrote and eventually registered ten songs with the U.S. Copyright Office.
Joe's musical background further includes informal teaching experience in music theory, piano, and guitar. He resides in Port Orchard, Washington, with his wifeSavitree, daughterAmy, and sonAngel.
Book Review:
"A soup-to-nuts guide for guitarists looking for a comprehensive way to name and notate chords. Music theory and practicality are sometimes at odds. For example, theory dictates that a chord must have three or more notes, but as debut author Davis explains in his introduction, guitarists play two-note formations frequently, which they must then label as chords when transcribing. As one gets deeper into theory, the conflicts can get more complicated in terms of where a "root" note might lay in a chord sequence