This book completely changed the way I looked at playing guitar. I’ve been “playing at guitar” for most of my life. Most of everything that I got right occured purely by accident, or trial and error. The BEAD guitar method lays out the guitar fretboard in a simple and easy-to-understand way. Finally, I could understand the realtionship each string has to each other, and how the entire fretboard actually works in a logical manner. This is not an instant cure for someone who wants to play like Eric Clapton in 15 minutes. It does explain the relationship between strings and frets in a way that will have you constructing chords and lead patterns, with understanding, in a very short time. I wish I had studied this book when I was 16 years old. It provides more than just repeating patterns and shapes. The BEAD method maps the fretboard in simple, easy-to-understand lessons that build upon each other. It’s written in a fun style as though the author were actually sitting down with you personally. For me, this book is the equivalent of the Rosetta Stone because it unlocks the “secrets” of the guitar fretboard. Even great guitarists who actually understand this stuff, usually can’t explain it to someone else in a way that makes sense. That’s the gift of Robert L. Dietz. He knows the information and, more importantly, is able to share it in a way that allows an average guy, like me, to finally understand how and why the guitar is set up the way it is. I recommend The BEAD method to anyone who wants a functional understanding of how to play guitar. I require it of every student (ages 10 to 67) that I teach, and have given it as a gift to other guitarists (especially those I play with). You cannot go wrong with this book. You will positively love it and, like me, you’ll be saying, “Where has this book been all my life?” Look, you have invested thousands of dollars in guitars, cases, amps and effects. Why not spend a small amount on the one method that will allow you the understanding and ability to creatively play for the rest of your life? The BEAD method is not just for those who’ve been struggling for years. If you’re thinking of buying someone their first guitar – DON’T, unless you also get them this book. They will thank you, and you (I promise) will be so glad you did.

When I first picked up this book it looked so technical. Then I began to read it and the basic premise hit me like a ton of bricks. Robert Dietz uses the Circle of Fifths in a way I have never seen before. First he will show you a simple way to instantly identify the notes on your guitar following the circle. This has facilitated my reading skills very well. Then he shows you how by knowing this information you can just as easily identify the triad chords and scales. The rest of the information that follows builds on these skills and tie into a well formed method for finding harmonized and altered chords, and modes. The section on modes breaks them down into basic forms that follow the BEAD pattern so that you can identify the modes as well. I wish I had this book when I started. In the last weeks it has improved my knowlege of the guitar neck. I’ve been playing for about four years and I’ve struggled with all the notes till now. I highly recommend this book.

I purchased this book in hopes of finding a tool to teach the guitar fingerboard easily to my student. I found that it is easy to read and understand and will help anyone who wants a system to help learn all the notes on the neck, transposing keys, moving chord fingerings, etc. I would recommend this for the first time learner and for anyone who is reviewing what they’ve learned in the past. It is a good tool for successfully mastering the fingerboard.

2.0 out of 5 stars
Not latest edition
The book I purchased is not the current version. It’s full of errors, which have been corrected in the current edition.

3.0 out of 5 stars
Great System But The Book……..
has quite a few mistakes and errors. It would have been nice if a list of corrections had come with it.