The guitar is a fascinating instrument that has beenaround in various forms for thousands of years, andcontinues to be the instrument of choice for manymusicians today. This book will guide you through allyou need to know to play both acoustic and electricversions, from buying the right guitar and learningthe basic chords to mastering advanced techniques.History sections cover the evolution and developmentof the guitar, and the book also includes fully illustrateddirectories exploring the many different types of guitar indepth. With over 1500 photographs and musical exercises,this manual is an essential guide for all guitarists.• How to play the guitar, with chord charts, exercises andstep-by-step techniques for mastering a range of musicalstyles, including blues, country, jazz, classical, flamenco,funk, disco, rock, lounge and reggae.• Includes directories of the most famous types of guitar,as well as boxed features on influential guitar heroessuch as Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, B. B. King and Jimmy Page.• A complete historical overview of the origins anddevelopment of this universally popular instrument.