Own it, Advanced Reading Studies as well, and Melodic Rhythms. I'd say this is not that great a book for reading because it contains mostly continuous streams of 8th notes. Maybe just for note recognition. If you train at home using only this kind of material and you get a big band/orchestra gig, you'll get your ass kicked, HARD! The most important aspect I've found in reading is being able to understand and recognise rhythms. Finding the notes on the staff is not a very difficult undertaking. As far as methods goes, when I started I used to just keep in mind the altered notes, so if I'm reading in D, every time I see an F or a C, I know they're #. Now, I mostly read out of CAGED positions. A quick note on the Advanced Reading Studies ... just like this book the studies are organised by positions, it's not a very efficient way of reading (reading something in Bb in position 2 for example only makes your like more difficult, move it to position 3), especially when reading high up the neck. Learn where the high notes are and then when you see a descending line, just move your hand down the neck instead of playing stuff on the E and A strings in the 11th position for example. For rhythms, the best books I've found are these: 1. Encyclopedia of Reading Rhythms - Gary Hess 2. Modern Reading in 4/4 - Louis Bellson 3. Rhythmic Training - Robert Starer 4. Melodic Rhythms - William Leavitt 5. Reading Contemporary Guitar Rhythms - M.T. Szymczak Sorry for the wall of text, hope somebody finds this useful!
I totally agree with you about the importance of being able to understand and recognise rhythms. This tends to trip up so many guitarists. Your 5 recommendations are immensely helpful. Thank you.
Use william leavitt:s Modern method for guitar instead. The Method has right hand rythm material progressing your rythm playing ability. You will beat most if you learn these as part of the other material in the Method. And you will learn basic reading skills. Is advance reading studies a supplement to the Method? I would say so.
Check out Reading Contemporary Guitar Rhythms by Michael (Tom) Szymczac. Also from Berklee Press. Very challenging and it continually throws a variety of rhythms at the reader and includes chords with rhythm slashes.
Yes, I'm a reader and I have that book but I haven't started working out of it yet as I'm currently working in Volume II of Leavitt Modern Method Series. Love his books though! 😊🎼🎸👍
I actually do have this one! I still haven't got my reading chops together and need to spend more time with it but it's a great book. Do you have 'Modern Reading Text in 4/4'? I found that great as a practice for reading rhythms.
Thank you Levi! This is probably one of the book I was looking for to improve my sight reading skills! I've been reading "Essential Skills for Sight Guitar Reading" by David Stark and Josquin Des Pres It was really good start for me but the example material in here was a bit too mechanical in the way. I will have a look tomorrow!
What would be a good starting point for (shreddy/rock/metal kind of) guitarist to start learning reading? I now basics of notation but I get overwhelmed at the library with the variety of stuff to grab. Violin studies you say? Bach? I'd like to learn reading to help myself understand the more in depth books (in the future).
Read the title of the video 😂 Though as I always say, is reading important for you as a player. Would the 100 hours you’re gonna be putting into in be better spent elsewhere, like on ear training?
Hello! bad reader here, thanks for the advice, Do you know if william leavitt has anything recorded? because I remember playing an arrangement of him of whetever standard, (i don remember) and it was short but beaitiful, and I always wanted to listen to him. Please let me know. Thank you very much!
I have that book. And Many more like it! They don’t really teach you the fretboard in an easy to understand manner. All these books lack simplicity and present to many unnecessary approaches for the beginning student. I’m convinced all master guitar teachers forgot about the hobby,casual players and created programs mainly for professional players,classical and jazz players mainly. It makes sense to use these books for dedicated pro readers but not for casual players. However,it’s not to say the casual player cannot learn to read using the whole fretboard and music written in any major scale because it is possible by using a simpler method.
Levi, may i ask you about a non-guitar book? I'm gonna do it anyway :) Do you know any book regarding musical production to light my path!? This series is amazing, thank you!
+sonoman using the word “modern” in anything is dangerous because there comes a time when it’s pretty dated. Just look a the classic play in a day book! Modern method is good, but it’s more of an attempt to learn guitar like you’d learn classical guitar. I wouldn’t treat it like the bible of learning. No.
Hi, Leavitt books are good for learning the notes on the fretboard ? Are those books only for "Sight Reading" ? I know how to read the notes very well because I play piano since I was a child. (bass/treble keys) I just want to be able to know where are the notes on the fretboard (just like seeing the notes on a keyboard) and be able to know where are the notes on the fretboards while reading a sheet with no tabs. I'm not sure if you see what I mean. I'm French, sorry for my bad english. Thank you very much !! :)
Yes, as his reading method breaks the neck down into 4-5 fret chunks starting at each fret - so you're going to learn the notes on the neck by default :)
I see, thank you for you fast answer !! :D So which book is the best for what I want to do ? The "A Modern Method for Guitar", or "Reading Studies for Guitar", or "Melodic Rhythms For Guitar", or "Classical Studies for Pick-Style Guitar" ? I'm going to buy one and I don't know which book or books to buy to start with. I'm not a beginner, I know how to play the basics, I have no problem with theory (because of the piano as I said before), so which book is for me please ? :) Thank you very much Mr Levi Clay, you're awesome, like your videos I love ! :D
Well, the modern method has everything you'd want to know in a lot of detail - it will do the trick Though Reading Studies for Guitar will achieve the same goal if you put in the work :)
Hello Levi, first of all thanks for your awesome videos, you're really helpful and give lots of useful insights. I have a question: Would you say reading lots of music will help me develop my ear? Maybe help me into eventually playing what I hear in my head? Thanks a lot again.
Hey Levi! I've been playing for years completely by ear.. Have have a lot of Theory and understanding of the instrument..I just don't read. What book/method would you recommend for me? Best, -Z
..if you'd like to see my playing level, check out my page. The video where I'm wearing a beanie is the most recent, lol. Thanks again for the great content!
just got the book, trying to learn sight reading but a little unclear on what the author means about “position”. Obviously the open is open, but are the other positions based on index finger and fret? Thanks for any input
It’s a good question! Leavitt takes a more classical based approach where ‘position 1’ is when the finger is at the first fret, ‘position 8’ is at the 8th etc. I don’t use it like that, I have a kind of “master position” in mind that changes for keys.
Just started going through the first 5 or so pages. It's good practice but I wish the exercises were more musical. They don't sound like much of anything but exercises and it makes it boring to play.
Simply get Mel Bay's basic guitar book. Listen to the music that you like. And practice, practice, practice. John Mayer quit Berklee after a year! Now he's on top of the world! So many guys don't read, but will blow you away. Jose Feliciano is blind! And so is Stevie Wonder. Both of them will blow you away. Slash cant read and Jimi Hendrix didn't either. Prince4Ever !
Morris Knight have you considered the counter argument? Well done, you listed a tiny handful of players who did well. Now, shall I list a million (literally) who tried the same and achieved nothing?
Well; let's take you yourself for example. I've never in my life heard of you until I just happen to stumble on your post. Some people teach, while others do. Sure, information is power! But it's all about what you wanna do with that information. Do you know what a parlor player is? They are the people that only play at home in the bedroom or basement or living room parlor. Some of them will give any music student a run for there $. Some people claim they can't play unless they have the most expensive instrument. They say, Oh this is a Les Paul. It cost me 2k. For some, it's the Paul Reed Smith. While Prince had his made like his name. At times he would play what looked a Tele. But it's wasn't a tele. It was a Hohner. My goal has always been to take the little old cheap guitar, and put them guys to shame. No brag. Just fact. For some people. The millions you're referring too, those are the quitter's. They never where going to be anything anyway... Quincy Jones is awesome. But Michael Jackson was the one that made the songs a hit. Quincy can't sing. And he sure can't dance like MJ. MJ took what little talent he had, and practice- practice-practice. In fact. He was practicing the day he died. Lastly; I too, am a student of Berklee College of Music. I took a songwriting course from professor Pat Pattison. The very same teacher as John Mayer. I passed the class. But millions write beautiful music, and don't have a clue who Patt Pattison is. And going to Berklee or Juilliard can't guaranty you a hit record. If you wanna get into music theory. Do it. But no matter what you wanna do. You've got to practice- Practice. But just because you know your ABC's don't mean you can write best seller. Prince4Ever !
Morris Knight .... But it's still a tiny handful is it not? :/ Are you saying the best thing to do in music is just go out and play and you'll change the world 😂
Also - I'm glad you don't know who I am - it illustrates my point perfectly. I bought my house solely off the money I make from my skills in music. I'm damn glad I didn't just go out and play and hope for the best. I know lots of guys who tried that... Can you guess how it went
Own it, Advanced Reading Studies as well, and Melodic Rhythms. I'd say this is not that great a book for reading because it contains mostly continuous streams of 8th notes. Maybe just for note recognition. If you train at home using only this kind of material and you get a big band/orchestra gig, you'll get your ass kicked, HARD! The most important aspect I've found in reading is being able to understand and recognise rhythms. Finding the notes on the staff is not a very difficult undertaking. As far as methods goes, when I started I used to just keep in mind the altered notes, so if I'm reading in D, every time I see an F or a C, I know they're #. Now, I mostly read out of CAGED positions.
A quick note on the Advanced Reading Studies ... just like this book the studies are organised by positions, it's not a very efficient way of reading (reading something in Bb in position 2 for example only makes your like more difficult, move it to position 3), especially when reading high up the neck. Learn where the high notes are and then when you see a descending line, just move your hand down the neck instead of playing stuff on the E and A strings in the 11th position for example.
For rhythms, the best books I've found are these:
1. Encyclopedia of Reading Rhythms - Gary Hess
2. Modern Reading in 4/4 - Louis Bellson
3. Rhythmic Training - Robert Starer
4. Melodic Rhythms - William Leavitt
5. Reading Contemporary Guitar Rhythms - M.T. Szymczak
Sorry for the wall of text, hope somebody finds this useful!
I totally agree with you about the importance of being able to understand and recognise rhythms. This tends to trip up so many guitarists. Your 5 recommendations are immensely helpful. Thank you.
Very helpful recommendations, thank you!
Thanks man. Was looking for rhythm studies for sight reading.
Use william leavitt:s Modern method for guitar instead. The Method has right hand rythm material progressing your rythm playing ability. You will beat most if you learn these as part of the other material in the Method. And you will learn basic reading skills. Is advance reading studies a supplement to the Method? I would say so.
Check out Reading Contemporary Guitar Rhythms by Michael (Tom) Szymczac. Also from Berklee Press. Very challenging and it continually throws a variety of rhythms at the reader and includes chords with rhythm slashes.
I wish I still have that book had it back in school lost in the shuffle I had the thicker book 4 volumes in one
Yes, I'm a reader and I have that book but I haven't started working out of it yet as I'm currently working in Volume II of Leavitt Modern Method Series. Love his books though! 😊🎼🎸👍
Dude you're content is always top notch you deserve so much more views!
Keep spreading the word :)
I actually do have this one! I still haven't got my reading chops together and need to spend more time with it but it's a great book. Do you have 'Modern Reading Text in 4/4'? I found that great as a practice for reading rhythms.
I started with the Aaron Shearer book series to begin the reading adventure.
I ve just finished the Method for guitar vol 1
Im gonna start with the vol 2.
What book you recomend to start rock guitar?
Thank you Levi! This is probably one of the book I was looking for to improve my sight reading skills!
I've been reading "Essential Skills for Sight Guitar Reading" by David Stark and Josquin Des Pres
It was really good start for me but the example material in here was a bit too mechanical in the way.
I will have a look tomorrow!
Hey Levi, have you checked Guthrie's Creative Guitar books (1 and 2)? I thought they were quite great.
What would be a good starting point for (shreddy/rock/metal kind of) guitarist to start learning reading? I now basics of notation but I get overwhelmed at the library with the variety of stuff to grab. Violin studies you say? Bach? I'd like to learn reading to help myself understand the more in depth books (in the future).
Read the title of the video 😂
Though as I always say, is reading important for you as a player. Would the 100 hours you’re gonna be putting into in be better spent elsewhere, like on ear training?
Hello! bad reader here, thanks for the advice, Do you know if william leavitt has anything recorded? because I remember playing an arrangement of him of whetever standard, (i don remember) and it was short but beaitiful, and I always wanted to listen to him. Please let me know. Thank you very much!
I have that book. And Many more like it! They don’t really teach you the fretboard in an easy to understand manner. All these books lack simplicity and present to many unnecessary approaches for the beginning student. I’m convinced all master guitar teachers forgot about the hobby,casual players and created programs mainly for professional players,classical and jazz players mainly. It makes sense to use these books for dedicated pro readers but not for casual players. However,it’s not to say the casual player cannot learn to read using the whole fretboard and music written in any major scale because it is possible by using a simpler method.
Levi, may i ask you about a non-guitar book? I'm gonna do it anyway :)
Do you know any book regarding musical production to light my path!?
This series is amazing, thank you!
I think "The Total Shred Guitarist" from German Schauss was quite good. Which shows a lot of great examples that aren't so cliché.
Levi, what do you think about "A modern method for guitar by William Levit", is it a good method??
+sonoman using the word “modern” in anything is dangerous because there comes a time when it’s pretty dated. Just look a the classic play in a day book!
Modern method is good, but it’s more of an attempt to learn guitar like you’d learn classical guitar. I wouldn’t treat it like the bible of learning. No.
Thanks for your answer Levi and thanks for all the information that you share with us.
Hi,
Leavitt books are good for learning the notes on the fretboard ? Are those books only for "Sight Reading" ?
I know how to read the notes very well because I play piano since I was a child. (bass/treble keys)
I just want to be able to know where are the notes on the fretboard (just like seeing the notes on a keyboard) and be able to know where are the notes on the fretboards while reading a sheet with no tabs.
I'm not sure if you see what I mean.
I'm French, sorry for my bad english.
Thank you very much !! :)
Yes, as his reading method breaks the neck down into 4-5 fret chunks starting at each fret - so you're going to learn the notes on the neck by default :)
I see, thank you for you fast answer !! :D
So which book is the best for what I want to do ?
The "A Modern Method for Guitar", or "Reading Studies for Guitar", or "Melodic Rhythms For Guitar", or "Classical Studies for Pick-Style Guitar" ?
I'm going to buy one and I don't know which book or books to buy to start with.
I'm not a beginner, I know how to play the basics, I have no problem with theory (because of the piano as I said before), so which book is for me please ? :)
Thank you very much Mr Levi Clay, you're awesome, like your videos I love ! :D
Well, the modern method has everything you'd want to know in a lot of detail - it will do the trick
Though Reading Studies for Guitar will achieve the same goal if you put in the work :)
Ok !! Thank you very much for your answers, I know what to do now :)
Keep making good videos ! Have a great day ! :)
These books are how I learned the fret board. Reading in all 12 positions will teach you the notes.
Hello Levi, first of all thanks for your awesome videos, you're really helpful and give lots of useful insights. I have a question: Would you say reading lots of music will help me develop my ear? Maybe help me into eventually playing what I hear in my head? Thanks a lot again.
SirPlaysWithTaste if you’re really focusing on it, yeah. You’ll learn to read ahead and hear it before playing it.
Hey Levi! I've been playing for years completely by ear.. Have have a lot of Theory and understanding of the instrument..I just don't read. What book/method would you recommend for me? Best, -Z
..if you'd like to see my playing level, check out my page. The video where I'm wearing a beanie is the most recent, lol. Thanks again for the great content!
The guitar lesson companion book 1 by susan palmer
chito Awesome my man! I will check it out ASAP.
Zach Derbas its an amazing book its how i learned a few years ago theirs also book 2 that one is more on the theory side great aswell i own both
chito Ok awesome! Is there a seamless transition from book 1 to book 2? Thanks again.
just got the book, trying to learn sight reading but a little unclear on what the author means about “position”. Obviously the open is open, but are the other positions based on index finger and fret? Thanks for any input
It’s a good question! Leavitt takes a more classical based approach where ‘position 1’ is when the finger is at the first fret, ‘position 8’ is at the 8th etc. I don’t use it like that, I have a kind of “master position” in mind that changes for keys.
Levi Clay Cool, thanks for the help, I subcribed and will check out your site
Would you recommend his "guitar method 1, 2, 3"? And why?
Álvaro Rojas it’s a good book for learning to read. It’s not really an all encompassing guide to modern playing or anything though.
@@LeviClay That's what I suspected. Very thanks my friend! Great channel!
Just started going through the first 5 or so pages. It's good practice but I wish the exercises were more musical. They don't sound like much of anything but exercises and it makes it boring to play.
I discovered your video on Worship fixer formula - there plenty more a useful videos there that will help you
Have it Reading is not needed
..EVH still can't read music..
Robert Allen that’s not true he studied classical violin...
Simply get Mel Bay's basic guitar book. Listen to the music that you like. And practice, practice, practice. John Mayer quit Berklee after a year! Now he's on top of the world! So many guys don't read, but will blow you away. Jose Feliciano is blind! And so is Stevie Wonder. Both of them will blow you away. Slash cant read and Jimi Hendrix didn't either. Prince4Ever !
Morris Knight have you considered the counter argument? Well done, you listed a tiny handful of players who did well. Now, shall I list a million (literally) who tried the same and achieved nothing?
Well; let's take you yourself for example. I've never in my life heard of you until I just happen to stumble on your post. Some people teach, while others do. Sure, information is power! But it's all about what you wanna do with that information. Do you know what a parlor player is? They are the people that only play at home in the bedroom or basement or living room parlor. Some of them will give any music student a run for there $.
Some people claim they can't play unless they have the most expensive instrument. They say, Oh this is a Les Paul. It cost me 2k. For some, it's the Paul Reed Smith. While Prince had his made like his name.
At times he would play what looked a Tele. But it's wasn't a tele. It was a Hohner.
My goal has always been to take the little old cheap guitar, and put them guys to shame. No brag. Just fact. For some people. The millions you're referring too, those are the quitter's. They never where going to be anything anyway... Quincy Jones is awesome. But Michael Jackson was the one that made the songs a hit. Quincy can't sing. And he sure can't dance like MJ.
MJ took what little talent he had, and practice- practice-practice. In fact. He was practicing the day he died.
Lastly; I too, am a student of Berklee College of Music. I took a songwriting course from professor Pat Pattison. The very same teacher as John Mayer. I passed the class. But millions write beautiful music, and don't have a clue who Patt Pattison is. And going to Berklee or Juilliard can't guaranty you a hit record. If you wanna get into music theory. Do it. But no matter what you wanna do. You've got to practice- Practice. But just because you know your ABC's don't mean you can write best seller.
Prince4Ever !
Tiny handful? That tiny handful changed the music world!!! You crack me up with that one. LOL!
Morris Knight .... But it's still a tiny handful is it not? :/
Are you saying the best thing to do in music is just go out and play and you'll change the world 😂
Also - I'm glad you don't know who I am - it illustrates my point perfectly. I bought my house solely off the money I make from my skills in music.
I'm damn glad I didn't just go out and play and hope for the best. I know lots of guys who tried that... Can you guess how it went