So you want to accelerate your guitar skills, learn more chords, fulfill your dream of becoming a rock star. Or maybe you’re a total beginner and just want to learn a few guitar chords to play with your friends around the fire pit. Okay, then you run out and buy the latest, greatest guitar book, get it home and crack it open, only to discover that it’s crap. Now what?

Well, for starters, instead of tossing it in the trash, check to see if you can return it. Yes, while it is a common practice not to, many places will return books. While you’re at it, let them know why you’re returning it. Publishers will keep sending out books that don’t work for you unless somebody tells them that they don’t work for the musicians they were intended for.

Musicians have some unique requirements for the books they use, especially when it comes to instruction. If it’s a theory book, then it doesn’t really matter because you can lay in your hammock to read it. But if you’re planning on using a guitar book for instructional purposes, here are some guidelines to keep you from getting frustrated:

·          Make sure your guitar books have a coil bound spine, or other such spine that will allow you to open it flat without having to put something on it to keep it open. Your hands will be busy.

·          Look for publications that use larger print. No, not because guitar playing is ruining your eyesight. You need to remember that a guitar book may be placed some distance away, preferably on a stand in front of you, but more than likely on a table or desk.

·          Check the qualifications of the writer. You can usually find a biography of some type if you look on the back cover or the inside front cover. Does he actually know anything about guitars, or is the guy just a writer out to make a buck?

·          Does the book cover look cool? Who cares! You ever buy music that had a flashy cover, only to find out that the whole recording is garbage? Same thing. Check out the inside.  Cruise through the table of contents, and a couple of chapters to see if it’s what you are looking for.

You also might try grabbing some suggestions from other guitarists or your band mates. If they have used something that works for them, it could be a good thing for you, too. Check out the guitar forums on the internet. You’ll find out in a big hurry who’s churning out junk.

As a musician, you are used to the dedication it takes to learn your techniques. So the bottom line is to chill out and read the book that you’re thinking about buying before you whip out your wallet.

Debbie Peck is the author of www.web-guitar.com a guitarist's resource of guitar gear reviews and guitar books.