total scales techniques and applications

I put this in the music theory category but one of the mods can move it if it fits better somewhere else. Has anyone read "TOTAL SCALES TECHNIQUES AND APPLICATIONS" by Mark John Sternal, and if so what do you think of it? I bought it for $25 usd but haven't really got into it yet.

Sorry I haven't been around for a couple of weeks. Just an update on what I have been doing. I have been transcribing "you were always on my mind" by willie nelson, and do to the fact that I such it has taken me a while. I know a lot of you don't like country, but this song has a great feel to it when you play the music with no singing. It was recorded on the piano but sounds great on guitar. Good finger picking practice as well.

@ L_P,
No, i haven't read that book, but if you don't mind could you let me know what you think of it when you've had a chance to read it? I'm getting ready to place an order for some books and I've been browsing through the recent posts to get an idea of what i should get so i'd be very interested in what you think.
On the subject of Willie's song, how did you start the transcribing? did you work out the chords first etc? also, on the fingerpicking, can you describe the finger order using the PIMA method so that i can give it a try?
Thanks,
Phip

I kinda cheated a bit, I found the chords on the net and then just went from there. I'm not sure what PIMA is but if you will explain it to me I will try to describe it if I can. I don't have it all done but when I get it I will post the tab.

@ L_P,
Sure, PIMA is a standard finger notation, though i have seen other types of notation online (I wish everyone would use the same notation). Anyway,
P is the thumb
I is the index finger
M is the middle finger
A is the ring finger

So something like "the boxer" by Simon & Garfunkel would be noted as PIPM
Simple finger picking of House of the Rising Sun would be PIMAMI
Like that.......
Generally speaking the thumb would be used for the bass note and the IMA would almost always be kept over the G,B,E strings (in that order)
Phip

I don't know if you can do that on this song??? Kinda all over the place and hitting two or three strings at a time. I'll go try it real quick.

yeah, not all songs lend themselves to such a simple notation. Willie can get pretty fancy with the fingers. What about your right hand finger nails, have you grown them out a little to get a crisper sound?

No I can't stand my nails getting to long. I have big fingers so finger playing is a real challenge for me but I'm getting it. I might be doing it totally wrong but it works for me. Another good reason to get a teacher.

les_paul
I'm listening to that song right now. are you picking all the notes that the piano is playing? Yikes, that's quite an acomplishment! No wonder it has taken you a while to get it down. I also have a version of Elvis doing this song too. Both are nice but I think I like Willie's better. Yeah, i'll bet it sounds real nice on the guitar. We gotta get you some recording equipment! I've been thinking of upgrading mine, would you be interested in my current gear? no charge, and i can't think of anyone i'd rather give it too, and i mean that! You're a true gentleman and I'd love to see you get some use out of this stuff. What say yee Les_Paul?
Phip

I bought this book way back when John was only selling it on ebay and had it printed off at staples or kinko's or something.

Over all I was not impressed only because I like the scale diagrams and the tabs had no notation and were hard to read.

I saw that it now looks like a "real" book but have had a change to thumb through it yet.

I hate long fingernails too

@ telecrater
I have to admit i've tried growing out my nails a bit to see what it is like and there was a definate advantage, and if I were only fingerpicking and doing it professionally i'd grow them out permanently, but I find it a bit weird walking around with long nails the rest of the day! So I trimmed them back after a few days, but it was interesting.
Phip

The only thing about fingerpicking with long nails, is that it only allows you to play one tone. Whereas if you have no nails, you can play a smooth song, or get those finger picks and then play the attacked tone. If you get me. I don't really have any nails, I personally prefer the smoother tone.

Yeah, I read that book, It definitely wasn't high in my good list. It tought some ok stuff but there are books out there that describe them a lot better than that one. But read it yourself, too. Because this is just my opinion. You might like it.

Another book which you guys might like: "The Gig Bag Book of Guitar COMPLETE" Goes through all the scales, and shows some chords which work well for each scale underneith and shows arpeggios. Though I don't like how it shows the scalesn and arpeggios, but it's still right. It doesn't explain how they link together, either. So it's up to you to figure it out.

put a few coats of super glue on your finger tips with the hand you fingerpick with. SRV used super glue when he ripped his callouses off. There are also those bluegrass finger picks.

you could get the picks that go onto ur fingers

i personally hate finger picks (except the thumb one) just grow your nails a little bit show you can still use the flesh but enough to get a good nail attack (Segovia used this tech). it requires although of filling to keep them in good shape. and after a while you get used to the stares and questions as to why only three fingers have long nails and the others are at the point of bleeding.

ive never used them. but id rather be annoyed by having finger picks for an hour or two everyday than be annoyed 24/7 with long fingernails

I agree. I know Don Ross has long nails, but it must get so annoying. I personally can't stand it, that's why I'd rather deal with finger picks on the rare occasion I use them. Otherwise I just use my fingers.

Random Question...

Do you all have really hard calluses? I remember when it used to hurt playing the guiatar, but then I gradually became okay with it. But the weird thing is; my fingers are as soft as baby's skin. Weird, huh?

Nah, you only have rough skin if you don't play a lot or if you are just starting out.

I don't know, my old man had rough skin, and he played consistantly for years before my birth.