In this lively collection of interviews, storied music writer Jas Obrecht presents a celebration of the world's most popular instrument as seen through the words, lives, and artistry of some of its most beloved players. Readers will read--and hear--accounts of the first guitarists on record, pioneering bluesmen, gospel greats, jazz innovators, country pickers, rocking rebels, psychedelic shape-shifters, singer-songwriters, and other movers and shakers. In their own words, these guitar players reveal how they found their inspirations, mastered their instruments, crafted classic songs, and created enduring solos. Also included is a CD of never-before-heard moments from Obrecht's insightful interviews with these guitar greats. Highlights include Nick Lucas's recollections of waxing the first noteworthy guitar records; Ry Cooder's exploration of prewar blues musicians; Carole Kaye and Ricky Nelson on the early years of rock and roll; Stevie Ray Vaughan on Jimi Hendrix; Gregg Allman on his brother, Duane Allman; Carlos Santana, Eric Johnson, and Pops Staples on spirituality in music; Jerry Garcia, Neil Young, and Tom Petty on songwriting and creativity; and early interviews with Eddie Van Halen, Joe Satriani, and Ben Harper.

This book brings together, for the first time, nine pieces from ABRSM's Grade 3 Guitar syllabus from 2019. The pieces - two solos and one duet chosen from each of lists A, B and C - have been carefully selected to offer an attractive and varied range of styles, creating an excellent source of repertoire to suit every performer. The book also contains helpful footnotes and, for those preparing for exams, useful syllabus information. Recordings of all 30 pieces on the Grade 3 syllabus are available. These can be purchased as part of the Guitar Exam Pieces with CD package or as audio downloads (see www.abrsmdownloads.org for more details). ABRSM also offers a range of apps to support musical learning, available from www.abrsm.org/apps. Support material for ABRSM Guitar exams [GEPs with CD] [Scales] [Specimen sight-reading] [Specimen aural tests]