Dave Clo

You're In The Band Guitar Method

You're In The Band is an interactive guitar method distributed by The Hal Leonard Corporation. The author, Dave Clo, has been teaching guitar classes since 1980, and one thing had always frustrated him: the lesson books were lacking in motivation.  He knew that students needed to enjoy the music they were learning to play.  (No kid wants to play "Polly Wolly Doodle all Day" and no adult wants to admit he or she just mastered "Mary Had a Little Lamb.")  The songs from the You're In the Band method were made to sound modern. They start simple and gradually increase in difficulty.   The play-along CDs were recorded with live drums, bass and guitar (no cheesy drum machines or keyboard bass!).  If you want to learn to play the guitar, this is best method out there.

Each book contains a CD with 2 versions of every song:  

• The  Rehearsal Version - slower in tempo and contains the lead or rhythm guitar line you are learning, and 
• The Performance Version - played at the standard tempo with the full band and no lead or rhythm guitar.... that's your job!

Lead Guitar (single notes)
With the You're In The Band Lead Guitar Method - Book 1 the student feels like he or she just joined a band and has been given a rehearsal disc to learn before the first show.  You're In The Band Lead Guitar Method - Book 2  contains more complex leads and can played simultaneously with a student learning Book 1 (another novel idea!). 

Order You're in the Band - Interactive Guitar Method for Lead Guitar: Book 1 from Amazon.com

Order You're in the Band - Interactive Guitar Method For Lead Guitar: Book 2 from Amazon.com

The You're In The Band Unplugged Guitar Method series is an acoustic version of the lead guitar method.

Order You're in the Band - Unplugged for Acoustic Guitar: Book 1 from Amazon.com

Order You're in the Band - Unplugged for Acoustic Guitar: Book 2 from Amazon.com

Rhythm Guitar (chords)
More than just a chord book; You're In The Band Rhythm Guitar Method - Book 1 teaches chords, music theory and rhythms with a 52-track play-along CD.

Order You're in the Band - Interactive Guitar Method for Rhythm Guitar: Book 1 from Amazon.com

Lead Guitar (TAB Edition)
You're In The Band Guitar Method - for Lead Guitar: TAB Edition. Also includes the 52 track CD.

Order You're in the Band - Lead Guitar Method (Tab Edition): Book 1 from Amazon.com

In Europe, the lead guitar series is called Playing...Lead Guitar with the Band. Book 1 features The Edge (from U2) on the cover and Noel Gallagher (from Oasis) on the cover of Book 2.

Jon Anderson of YES says "learn to play music!"