Back in the 1990’s I would like most kids stare in awe at the rows of magazines in WHSmiths, making my way nervously along to the music section until I found the guitar magazines. There I would squeeze between fellow readers and greedily grab the latest edition of Guitar Technique or Total Guitar with with front covers proclaiming “Play like Jimmy Hendrix” or “Play the solo from Comfortably Numb: accurate transcription inside”. I would stand for hours transfixed until I was gently reminded this was not a library and to please buy or leave the store. I would hand over my money, rush home, pick up my guitar and… how.am I supposed to play this?

Guitar magazines lure you in with great promises to “Learn to Blues solo like the professionals”. This is very misleading as the content inside is aimed at just that: a very small percentage of advanced players who are professionals. The result is the music is far too difficult to be played by the average player, and as so often happens the results are poor technique, unwanted injuries such as wrist strains and the player spending months on a piece only to make very little progress and in the end give up. Even beginner editions take massive leaps in learning between examples so as to be frustrating.

Is the situation helped by links to audio clips of the music or a demonstration of a guitarist playing the music? No, not really. Difficult is difficult whether you hear it or watch somebody else play it. My advice? Spend your money on a guitar teacher who will keep you grounded and provide realistic music examples that will develop your skills at a sensible pace for you until you are ready to tackle the promises held within the pages of a guitar magazine.