Through Chord-Melody & Beyond: A Comprehensive, Hands-on Guide to Playing & Arranging Solo Jazz Guitar Based on 11 Classic Standards from the Great American Songbook

Howard Morgen was a great musician and teacher.

I've had this book for a little over a year, and bought it together with Howard's Truefire course. If you've played guitar for a while, and know some theory, this book really helps pull that together and begin the process of beginning to create very cool sounding arrangements. I read that Howard knew his time was short when he committed to the book and the Truefire course, and his goal was to leave his best work in these products. He got them done, and both are great. The book isn't easy; it requires study and goal setting, and it's slow going. But I've found the key is to take one concept at a time, and force myself to use the new concept in a tune. Somehow, once the ice is broken, it's much easier the next time. One last thing: the accompanying CD is great for just listening. I play it my car and it's a really nice set of guitar arrangements of jazz standards. Highly recommended for a guitarist motivated to arrange and play solo guitar, or in two or three person combos.

Book was in good condition.The pieces where very very good. I think the playthrough audios could've been better executed.

I bought this a couple of months ago, knowing I had to expand my chord-melody repertoire. After sitting down with my two plus decade close friend and guitar teacher one afternoon he stated that this book was a solid foundation to move on in my playing. I finally busted out the first arrangement of "Lil Darlin'" today and it really hit the mark! I really appreciate how you have both tab and notation to check finger placements. I have used the old Sal Salvador books where there is pure standard notation. There is SO much extra standard notation for guitar music that the tab speeds up the process remarkably for chord-melody. Both notation removes all shortcomings. The range of ideas and technique in the book will build a stronger core for my playing. I cannot recommend this book enough for the intermediate to advanced player.Even better, you walk away with eleven new tunes for your next gig!

The title of this review sum up my feelings... Howards design this book where you the reader can start off at your skill level. Beginners would benefit the first chapter while intermediate might choose other chapters. In short this book takes you from just a melody and then give you ideas for creating arrangement beyond chord melody.After reading through this book, I now see how Tuck Andres does it and Joe Pass. You know the skills but I did not have the knowledge needed to create such arrangement...All level will just love this book and come away a better player... The CD also include PDF pages with music in case you just want to focus on the arrangements.Thus, make sure you put the CD in your computer and open it with Windows explorer to review the additional data file. CD also include the regular music file for the cd playerscheer

This by far the BEST book I have seen/bought on arranging for guitar. If you are interested in the book here are some observations. This is intended for jazz guitarists. You MUST HAVE some knowledge of music theory. If you don't you will be lost immediately. You won't be able to whip through this book. I believe it would take 1-2 years of concentrated study to master the material Mr. Morgan presents. I methodically go page by page stopping frequently to make sure I have comprehended the material, and I can play examples correctly. What is the end result? You will have a thorough knowledge of chords and arranging a song in chord melody jazz style. The time and effort you put in will make you a truly gifted guitarist.

I am a fan of the chord melody style, so this book has become one of my best acquisitions in recent years. It offers detailed and systematic author's methodology, which can be equally useful for beginners and experienced performers. I sincerely recommend this book to all fans of this style. Great teacher, great textbook.

Howard was a great guitar player and seemed like such a humble person. Recommended.