The complete idiot's guide to playing the guitar

pt. 1. Preparing to play. The guitar : a noteworthy history ; What is a guitar? ; Buying a guitar ; Strings and things

pt. 2. Getting started. Beginning to play ; The right hand ; Advanced right-hand techniques

pt. 3. Tunes and tablature. How guitar music is written ; Varied accompaniments ; Rhythm practice ; Slur techniques ; The full bar

pt. 4. Making notes. How to read notes ; The scale ; Music in multiple voices

pt. 5. Regional styles. Elements of Travis picking ; Folk and country ; Introducing flamenco ; Latin rhythms ; The blues ; Rock and roll

pt. 6. Taking off. Chord formation ; Moving up the fingerboard ; Classical virtuoso secrets ; Putting it all together.