The Title Says It All (Total Guitar)

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Product:	Total Guitar
Date:	13/11/00 (91 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Variety, Great transcriptions

Disadvantages: None

Total Guitar is the only guitar magazine worth reading. Others offer this and that, but nothing else is as complete as this. Each issue comes with a CD with around 70 minutes of lessons, tracks and demos, and occasionally a free gift, such as a capo, chord book, or scale charts.

Whether you like acoustic or hard rock, there is something for you. Latest news on guitar bands, and reviews on new equipment (not just guitar, but amps, effects etc). Each month there is a number of interviews with both established and up-and-coming stars, which are always interesting. The highlight of the magazine, though, is the sheer amount of guitar tablature (tab). Thankfully, tab is very easy to read. Even someone who cannot read music (myself included) can pick it up quickly.

There are lessons on the featured artist of the month, a classic track, other featured artists, lessons in certain styles, covering everything from Punk to Acoustic, and Country to Reggae. I can't think of a style that hasn’t been covered at some time. Whilst you won't be interested in all the lessons, there is always something that most guitar players will want to learn. Only here would you find bands as diverse as Crowded House and Slipknot on the same pages.

Whilst some songs are tabbed in full, and have a full backing track on the CD to play along to, not all songs are this fully researched. Sometimes, there will be tutorials on parts of different songs, or just a lesson on how to play in the style of a certain band or type of music.

Total Guitar is essential reading for any guitar player, whether a beginner, or a professional musician. I have been playing for a few years, and still look forward to each new issue. In the last few months I have learned a classical piece, and Motorhead's Ace of Spades!

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