Introduction to Guitar For Ensemble

This guitar workbook was written with the intention of being used in a classroom setting. I know many of us are asked to teach large classes of guitar students; students that often have varying degrees of experience. This poses a formitable challenge. This was my motivation for designing a book that would be simple, clear and would progress at a gradual pace. As a public school music teacher with over 27 years experience, I have used this book to teach groups as large as 55 students at once. It is my hope that it will allow you to manage you Beginning Guitar classes much more easily.

What leading music educators are saying about Introduction To Guitar For Ensemble:

“Joe Sweet's Introduction to Guitar is an effective, no-nonsense method that produces great results! Innovative approaches to rhythm, chords, scales, and note reading make this method engaging and easy to use with large guitar classes. Mr. Sweet provides essential information and exercises within the text. The accompanying website provides complete lesson plans, student assessment exams, and additional repertoire. This is a must have book for anyone teaching a large beginning guitar class!”

-Dr. Julie Goldberg, Guitar Professor, VanderCook College of Music

“I highly recommend this introduction to guitar as a primer for making aspiring guitar players into musicians.”

-Bobby Broom, Jazz Guitarist, Bandleader, Recording Artist and Educator

“I’ve observed Joe Sweet’s guitar classes several times and am very impressed with the organization of his method. Taking a class of up to fifty guitarists takes a lot of thought and energy. Joe has, in this book, distilled essential information in a logical, well-thought out way for a beginning musician playing the guitar. And, the results I’ve heard in the young guitarists coming from his classes are remarkable. They are very prepared after his class to take whatever further steps they want in their future endeavors.”

-Scott Hesse, Head of the Guitar Program at Eastern Illinois University

"Finding new and effective ways to reach and teach students is a quest all great teachers aspire to accomplish. In his book, “Introduction To Guitar For Ensemble”, Joe Sweet focuses on innovative methods and steps in achieving those goals. I’ve also had the pleasure of watching Joe teach his guitar ensemble while utilizing his book and the results were a thing of beauty to witness in person. Congratulations Joe...Bravo on being such a wonderful teacher and such an inspiration not only to your students, but to all the students who will receive the substanal benefits of using your book!!!"

-Paul Wertico, Seven Time Grammy Award-winning percussionist & Professor of Jazz Studies, Roosevelt University's Chicago College of Performing Arts