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Haven't had time to update recently - I'm busier than Britney Spears' babysitter..............

As a member of the Registry Of Guitar Tutors, I like their exam grade modules; they teach really good stuff but can be top-heavy with theory - great for guitar anoraks (like me), but the kids wanna ROCK! With this in mind, over the past year or so I've been using Rockschool grade books more and more. The further up the grades I go, the more impressed with them I've become.

They teach excellent theory (like RGT grades do) - scale systems, sight reading, interval theory, harmony, rhythm, ear tests etc., but on a more practical level they teach great little instrumental pieces in almost any style or genre - Blues, rock, Nu Metal, reggae, funk, Brit pop, jazz or whatever. Once you're up to speed you can play along with the supplied backing tracks which also encourage you to incorporate improvisation techniques you've picked up along the way. RGT should take note - this IS the future for guitar tuition. And not just for kids - by the time you get to Grade four there is some pretty challenging stuff that, once mastered, is fun to play but more importantly will introduce you to new techniques that will go right through your own playing and encourage you to think about things like note choice and phrasing - pretty subtle stuff. It reminds me of an old saying - I can give you a fish and feed you for a day or I can teach you to fish and you'll feed yourself for life. Go figure.

  Rockschool Grades -

  State-of-the-art tuition for young (and not so young) fretmeisters.

If classical guitar is your weapon of choice, I have to say that the RGT classical books (written by my old mate, Tony Skinner) are pretty much unbeatable - beautiful guitar pieces that also encourage great technique - now that's what I call twice blessed.

  RGT's Early Stages Classical Guitar -

  Being an avid classical player myself, I can't recommend RGT classical grade

  books highly enough.