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Get Strumming with Modern Guitar Chord Styles
Theyβve helped hundreds of students over the last 20 years at the MGT studio; itβs our much loved Modern Guitar Chord Styles series of books! Often neglected in most guitar methods, here rhythm guitar is the star. Master your chords and strumming & unlock a comprehensive rhythm guitar system that goes right from the very basics of acoustic guitar chords, to the most advanced rhythm guitar styles around.
Book 1 introduces basic open chords, chord embellishments, how to read strumming patterns, tips and tricks to get your chord changes quick and effortless, arpeggios, fingerpicking, and plenty of full song-like progressions to play along with.
In Book 2, electric guitarists gain mastery over bar chords and build hand strength while tackling classic and modern rhythm studies, learning about the history and development of electric guitar styles.
Book 3 dives into advanced jazz and funk, introducing complex chords, syncopated rhythms, and harmonic depthβperfect for seasoned players looking to expand their groove.
No more tricky chord changes or difficult strumming patterns- just play the songs you love instead! Unlock quick, effortless chord changes, easy bar chords, strumming hand timing perfection & much more with Modern Guitar Chord Styles.
Master all kinds of diverse chords, from open chords to embellishments, power chords, bar chords, jazz and funk chords, and heaps more. Learn strumming patterns and get your timing just right, from basic patterns, all the way to complex syncopated 16th notes. And explore the many genres of rhythm guitar, from Pop to Rock, Funk, Blues, Shuffle, Jazz, Bebop and more. Plus heaps of progressions, techniques, tips and tricks, and audio recordings to play along with!
Included in this bundle:
Modern Guitar Chord Styles 1 - Beginner to Intermediate
Modern Guitar Chord Styles 2 - Electric Guitar
Modern Guitar Chord Styles 3 - Jazz and Funk
Over 80+ MP3 Audio Recordings of exercises across all 3 books
Essential Rhythm Guitar Techniques for Every Level
Theyβve helped hundreds of students over the last 20 years at the MGT studio; itβs our much loved Modern Guitar Chord Styles series of books! Often neglected in most guitar methods, here rhythm guitar is the star! Master your chords and strumming & unlock a comprehensive rhythm guitar system that goes right from the very basics of acoustic guitar chords, to the most advanced rhythm guitar styles around. Whether youβre a beginner, intermediate, or advanced guitarist, this series covers everything from open chords to finger-picking, bar chords to arpeggios, syncopation, 16th note funk strumming, jazz chords and more.
Book 1 includes a unique approach to introducing open chords, highlighting fingers that can be held down between chord changes, making changes comfortable and smooth. These tips and tricks build speed and confidence and get beginners able to play basic songs in as little as 10 pages!
In Book 2, electric guitarists gain mastery over bar chords and build hand strength while tackling classic and modern rhythm studies, learning about the history and development of electric guitar styles.
Book 3 dives into advanced jazz and funk, introducing complex chords, syncopated rhythms, and harmonic depthβperfect for seasoned players looking to expand their groove.
Book 1: Quick Chord Changes & Tricks So You Can Play Full Songs ASAP!
Also available in our popular Beginner Bundle!
The perfect book for hobby guitarists and young students aged 12 and up: a gently-graded course that builds technique naturally via harmonic exercises and song-like progressions, and includes 55 audio recordings of exercises and progressions.
A clear step-by-step method introduces chords in a logical order of physical comfort and the progression exercises are written around changes linked by a common finger. Even a complete beginner is starting to play familiar sounding chord progressions within the first ten pages!
What topics are covered?
Basic guitar chords & how to get changes smooth
How to read rhythms
Common pop/rock strumming patterns & example progressions
Arpeggio picking & fingerpicking
Basic bar chords
and much more!
By author and educator Michelle Nelson.
Our bestselling chord book! For over 20 years, weβve seen hundreds of guitarists get great results at the MGT studio using the much loved Modern Guitar Chord Styles 1. Learn how to change chords quickly and effortlessly, so you can play the songs you love. Includes 55+ audio recordings of exercises for students to play along with.
What Topics Are Covered?
Basic guitar chords & how to get changes easy & smooth
How to read rhythms
Common pop/rock strumming patterns & example progressions
Arpeggio picking & fingerpicking
Basic bar chords
and much more!
By author and educator Michelle Nelson.
Our bestselling chord book! For over 20 years, weβve seen hundreds of guitarists get great results at the MGT studio using the much loved Modern Guitar Chord Styles 1. Learn how to change chords quickly and effortlessly, so you can play the songs you love. Includes 55+ audio recordings of exercises for students to play along with.
What topics are covered?
Basic guitar chords & how to get changes easy & smooth
How to read rhythms
Common pop/rock strumming patterns & example progressions
Arpeggio picking & fingerpicking
Basic bar chords
and much more!
What people are saying
βAs an adult DIY player I had a few bad technique habits and timing was a real problem. Modern Guitar Chord Styles 1 really did help me a lot; it fixed my timing and filled in the gaps in my chord knowledgeβ
βModern Guitar Chord Styles 1 is my absolute must use book. Nothing gets a new student playing songs they enjoy quicker. Every single one of my students over 10 starts with this book, and it always gets great results! Cannot recommend it highly enough!β
BOOK 2: Master Bar Chords & Explore the Many Genres of Electric Guitar
Dedicated exclusively to electric guitar chord and rhythm styles, this book is a must-have for Electric players. It presents all the essential bar-chord forms and electric-guitar rhythm techniques from the classic Rock/RβnβB styles to the current era. It develops the stamina needed for bar-chord playing through a graduated series of exercises and stylistic examples. Features all the classic rhythm styles as well as melody-chord work and Electric arpeggio style. Includes 45 recorded samples to aid the development of rhythmic control and stylistic awareness.
What topics are covered?
Power chords
Major, minor, dom7, min7, & maj7 bar chord shapes
50s/60s rock, punk, country, 70s rock, disco, reggae, & fusion progressions
Hendrix style bar chord embellishments
Advanced triad and arpeggio picking
By author, educator and composer Michelle Nelson.
Dedicated exclusively to electric guitar chord and rhythm styles, this book is a must-have for Electric players. It presents all the essential bar-chord forms and electric-guitar rhythm techniques from the classic Rock/RβnβB styles to the current era. It develops the stamina needed for bar-chord playing through a graduated series of exercises and stylistic examples. Features all the classic rhythm styles as well as melody-chord work and Electric arpeggio style. Book includes a CD of 45 recorded samples to aid the development of rhythmic control and stylistic awareness. E-book version includes a digital download of all music samples.
Also available within the Complete Chord Styles Bundle - Save 20% compared to buying the books separately!
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD VERSION - A .ZIP file containing the .PDF and .MP3 audio recordings to accompany the book will be emailed shortly after checking out.
By author and educator Michelle Nelson.
Dedicated exclusively to electric guitar chord and rhythm styles, this book is a must-have for Electric players. It presents all the essential bar-chord forms and electric-guitar rhythm techniques from the classic Rock/RβnβB styles to the current era. It develops the stamina needed for bar-chord playing through a graduated series of exercises and stylistic examples. Features all the classic rhythm styles as well as melody-chord work and Electric arpeggio style. Includes 45 recorded samples to aid the development of rhythmic control and stylistic awareness.
WHAT TOPICS ARE COVERED?
Power chords
Major, minor, dom7, min7, & maj7 bar chord shapes
50s/60s rock, punk, country, 70s rock, disco, reggae, & fusion progressions
Hendrix style bar chord embellishments
Advanced triad and arpeggio picking
Also available within the Complete Chord Styles Digital Bundle - save 20% compared to buying the books separately!
Book 3: Get Funky, Learn Jazz & Test Your Rhythm Skills
This advanced/tertiary-level text deals with the exciting but musically challenging area of Jazz and Funk styles for modern guitar. It features detailed information about the important Jazz and Funk chord forms, rhythm styles, harmony theory and styles of chord use. Presented in notation with chord boxes and some TAB to assist realization, the book comes with a music CD of 39 stylized progressions that provide excellent examples of advanced chord and rhythm techniques.
What topics are covered?
Jazz chords
Advanced strumming techniques
Funk chords & 16th note muting techniques
Ragtime, Latin Jazz, Big Band, Bebop, Gypsy Jazz, Bossa Nova and more!
Fingerstyle Jazz & walking bass line techniques
And much more!
By author, educator and composer Michelle Nelson.
This advanced/tertiary-level text deals with the exciting but musically challenging area of Jazz and Funk styles for modern guitar. It features detailed information about the important Jazz and Funk chord forms, rhythm styles, harmony theory and styles of chord use. Presented in notation with chord boxes and some TAB to assist realization, the book comes with audio recordings of 39 stylized progressions that provide excellent examples of advanced chord and rhythm techniques.
What topics are covered?
Jazz chords
Advanced strumming techniques
Funk chords & 16th note muting techniques
Ragtime, Latin Jazz, Big Band, Bebop, Gypsy Jazz, Bossa Nova and more!
Fingerstyle Jazz & walking bass line techniques
And much more!
Also available within the Complete Chord Styles Bundle - Save 20% compared to buying the books separately!
DIGITAL DOWNLOAD VERSION - A .ZIP file containing the .PDF and .MP3 audio recordings to accompany the book will be emailed shortly after checking out.
By author, educator and composer Michelle Nelson.
This advanced/tertiary-level text deals with the exciting but musically challenging area of Jazz and Funk styles for guitar. Features detailed information about Jazz and Funk chord forms, rhythms, harmony theory and styles of chord use. Presented in notation with chord boxes and some TAB to assist realization, it includes mp3 recordings of 39 stylized progressions that provide excellent source material for advanced chord techniques.
What topics are covered?
Jazz chords
Advanced strumming techniques
Funk chords & 16th note muting techniques
Ragtime, Latin Jazz, Big Band, Bebop, Gypsy Jazz, Bossa Nova and more!
Fingerstyle Jazz & walking bass line techniques
And much more!
Also available within the Complete Chord Styles Digital Bundle - save 20% compared to buying the books separately!
Comes with over 80+ Audio Recordings
Books come with CDs & MP3 downloads. MP3 included in PDF version.
βThe Modern Guitar Chord Styles Series soon gets studentsβ chord vocabularies overflowing and playing in so many different musical styles. With THESE books, learning Rock chord progressions become a breeze and learning pop songs becomeS very straight forward and effortless! Highly recommended!β
β Darryl Barron
Ad.Cert.(Jazz and Pop), B.Mus.Perf.(VCA),
B.Teach.(Primary and Secondary), A.Dip.A., LTCL, FTCL.
Coordinator of Fretted Strings
Carey Baptist Grammar School
About the Author
Michelle Nelson is a composer, guitar teacher, and author, having released more than a dozen published works for tutoring contemporary guitar styles.
Drawing on many years of instrumental teaching and specialist assessment work, she has created the acclaimed ANZCA Modern Guitar grade books, the Guitar Steps series, the popular Modern Guitar Chord Styles series, as well as the brand new Electric Guitar Solo Style series.
She has also released several albums including Return to the Dance and Flowers Still Bloom, available across streaming platforms.
Grab a Bundle & Save
Get the best possible start on the guitar with a clear, step by step learning pathway: Itβs the MGT Beginner Bundle from author, educator and composer Michelle Nelson!
Includes our bestselling beginners rhythm guitar book, Modern Guitar Chord Styles 1, full of tips and tricks to make chord changes fast and easy, allowing you to play complete songs fluently within the first 10 pages. Weβve seen hundreds of students over the last 20 years get a great start on the guitar with these exercises, and now you can too!
Then, learn all the basics of lead guitar with Electric Guitar Solo Style 1, full of all the essential guitar soloing techniques so you can play riffs, solos, licks & the blues in no time! Included with both books are over 80 mp3 audio recordings to get your tone and timing just right.
Nothing will get you playing whole songs on guitar faster!
Get the best possible start on the guitar with a clear, step by step learning pathway: Itβs the MGT Beginner Bundle from author, educator and composer Michelle Nelson!
Includes our bestselling beginners rhythm guitar book, Modern Guitar Chord Styles 1, full of tips and tricks to make chord changes fast and easy, allowing you to play complete songs fluently within the first 10 pages. Weβve seen hundreds of students over the last 20 years get a great start on the guitar with these exercises, and now you can too!
Then, learn all the basics of lead guitar with Electric Guitar Solo Style 1, full of all the essential guitar soloing techniques so you can play riffs, solos, licks & the blues in no time! Included with both books are over 80 mp3 audio recordings to get your tone and timing just right.
Nothing will get you playing whole songs on guitar faster!
Get the best possible start on the guitar with a clear, step by step learning pathway: Itβs the MGT Beginner Bundle from author, educator and composer Michelle Nelson!
Includes our bestselling beginners rhythm guitar book, Modern Guitar Chord Styles 1, full of tips and tricks to make chord changes fast and easy, allowing you to play complete songs fluently within the first 10 pages. Weβve seen hundreds of students over the last 20 years get a great start on the guitar with these exercises, and now you can too!
Then, learn all the basics of lead guitar with Electric Guitar Solo Style 1, full of all the essential guitar soloing techniques so you can play riffs, solos, licks & the blues in no time! Included with both books are over 80 mp3 audio recordings to get your tone and timing just right.
Nothing will get you playing whole songs on guitar faster!
Getting the best possible start is crucial on the guitar. Make sure your foundations are solid with the Beginner Bundle from author, educator and composer Michelle Nelson!
Includes our bestselling beginners guitar book Modern Guitar Chord Styles 1, full of tips and tricks to make chord changes fast and easy, allowing you to play complete songs fluently within the first 10 pages. Weβve seen hundreds of students over the last 20 years get a great start on the guitar with these exercises, and now you can too!
Then, learn all the basics of guitar soloing with Electric Guitar Solo Style 1, full of all the essential lead guitar techniques so you can play riffs, solos, licks & the blues in no time! Included with both books are over 80 mp3 audio recordings to get your tone and timing just right.
Nothing will get you playing whole songs on guitar faster!
No more tricky chord changes or difficult strumming patterns- just play the songs you love instead! Unlock quick, effortless chord changes, easy bar chords, strumming hand timing perfection & much more with Modern Guitar Chord Styles.
Master all kinds of diverse chords, from open chords to embellishments, power chords, bar chords, jazz and funk chords, and heaps more. Learn strumming patterns and get your timing just right, from basic patterns, all the way to complex syncopated 16th notes. And explore the many genres of rhythm guitar, from Pop to Rock, Funk, Blues, Shuffle, Jazz, Bebop and more. Plus heaps of progressions, techniques, tips and tricks, and audio recordings to play along with!
Included in this bundle:
Modern Guitar Chord Styles 1 - Beginner to Intermediate
Modern Guitar Chord Styles 2 - Electric Guitar
Modern Guitar Chord Styles 3 - Jazz and Funk
Over 80+ MP3 Audio Recordings of exercises across all 3 books
No more tricky chord changes or difficult strumming patterns- just play the songs you love instead! Unlock quick, effortless chord changes, easy bar chords, strumming hand timing perfection & much more with Modern Guitar Chord Styles.
Master all kinds of diverse chords, from open chords to embellishments, power chords, bar chords, jazz and funk chords, and heaps more. Learn strumming patterns and get your timing just right, from basic patterns, all the way to complex syncopated 16th notes. And explore the many genres of rhythm guitar, from Pop to Rock, Funk, Blues, Shuffle, Jazz, Bebop and more. Plus heaps of progressions, techniques, tips and tricks, and audio recordings to play along with!
Included in this bundle:
Modern Guitar Chord Styles 1 - Beginner to Intermediate
Modern Guitar Chord Styles 2 - Electric Guitar
Modern Guitar Chord Styles 3 - Jazz and Funk
Over 80+ MP3 Audio Recordings of exercises across all 3 books
No more tricky chord changes or difficult strumming patterns- just play the songs you love instead! Unlock quick, effortless chord changes, easy bar chords, strumming hand timing perfection & much more with Modern Guitar Chord Styles.
Master all kinds of diverse chords, from open chords to embellishments, power chords, bar chords, jazz and funk chords, and heaps more. Learn strumming patterns and get your timing just right, from basic patterns, all the way to complex syncopated 16th notes. And explore the many genres of rhythm guitar, from Pop to Rock, Funk, Blues, Shuffle, Jazz, Bebop and more. Plus heaps of progressions, techniques, tips and tricks, and audio recordings to play along with!
Included in this bundle:
Modern Guitar Chord Styles 1 - Beginner to Intermediate
Modern Guitar Chord Styles 2 - Electric Guitar
Modern Guitar Chord Styles 3 - Jazz and Funk
Over 80+ MP3 Audio Recordings of exercises across all 3 books
Theyβve helped hundreds of students over the last 20 years at the MGT studio; itβs our much loved Modern Guitar Chord Styles series of books! Often neglected in most guitar methods, here rhythm guitar is the star. Master your chords and strumming & unlock a comprehensive rhythm guitar system that goes right from the very basics of acoustic guitar chords, to the most advanced rhythm guitar styles around.
Book 1 introduces basic open chords, chord embellishments, how to read strumming patterns, tips and tricks to get your chord changes quick and effortless, arpeggios, fingerpicking, and plenty of full song-like progressions to play along with.
In Book 2, electric guitarists gain mastery over bar chords and build hand strength while tackling classic and modern rhythm studies, learning about the history and development of electric guitar styles.
Book 3 dives into advanced jazz and funk, introducing complex chords, syncopated rhythms, and harmonic depthβperfect for seasoned players looking to expand their groove.
Thereβs nothing more important when learning guitar than having a proper, structured, step by step learning pathway to guide to you to success. Master your Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar & Fingerstyle with the MGT Everything Bundle: Youβll never get stuck on a learning plateau thinking, βWhat do I learn next?β ever again.
After helping hundreds of students over the last 20 years at the MGT studio, here it is available as one massive bundle: Every single one of our much loved guitar books, for a whopping 25% discount!
Whatβs Included?
Electric Guitar Solo Style 1: Learn lead guitar - bending, blues, and the basics. Learn all the guitar soloing tips and tricks you never knew you needed!
Electric Guitar Solo Style 2: Take your soloing skills to the next level, master scales across the fretboard, and play guitar solos across genres, including Blues, Jazz, Funk, Surf Guitar, Rock Shuffle and much more.
Modern Guitar Chord Styles 1: Learn to effortlessly change between all the most important guitar chords & learn basic strumming, arpeggio, and fingerstyle patterns. Itβll have you ready to play the songs you love in 10 pages or so!
Modern Guitar Chord Styles 2: Master your bar chords, memorise your root notes across the 5th and 6th strings, and learn about the development of electric guitar styles, from Rock, Blues, Punk, Reggae, Fusion and more from across the decades!
Modern Guitar Chord Styles 3: Get funky, learn jazz, bossa nova, gypsy jazz, walking basslines, and more! Get to know complex chord harmony and test your rhythm skills with this advanced level book.
Modern Guitar Fingerstyle: Ever wanted to accompany yourself? Learn to play chords and a melody at the same time with exercises and songs designed to develop fingerpicking mastery.
Thereβs nothing more important when learning guitar than having a proper, structured, step by step learning pathway to guide to you to success. Master your Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar & Fingerstyle with the MGT Everything Bundle: Youβll never get stuck on a learning plateau thinking, βWhat do I learn next?β ever again.
After helping hundreds of students over the last 20 years at the MGT studio, here it is available as one massive bundle: Every single one of our much loved guitar books, for a whopping 25% discount!
Whatβs Included?
Electric Guitar Solo Style 1: Learn lead guitar - bending, blues, and the basics. Learn all the guitar soloing tips and tricks you never knew you needed!
Electric Guitar Solo Style 2: Take your soloing skills to the next level, master scales across the fretboard, and play guitar solos across genres, including Blues, Jazz, Funk, Surf Guitar, Rock Shuffle and much more.
Modern Guitar Chord Styles 1: Learn to effortlessly change between all the most important guitar chords & learn basic strumming, arpeggio, and fingerstyle patterns. Itβll have you ready to play the songs you love in 10 pages or so!
Modern Guitar Chord Styles 2: Master your bar chords, memorise your root notes across the 5th and 6th strings, and learn about the development of electric guitar styles, from Rock, Blues, Punk, Reggae, Fusion and more from across the decades!
Modern Guitar Chord Styles 3: Get funky, learn jazz, bossa nova, gypsy jazz, walking basslines, and more! Get to know complex chord harmony and test your rhythm skills with this advanced level book.
Modern Guitar Fingerstyle: Ever wanted to accompany yourself? Learn to play chords and a melody at the same time with exercises and songs designed to develop fingerpicking mastery.
Thereβs nothing more important when learning guitar than having a proper, structured, step by step learning pathway to guide to you to success. Master your Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar & Fingerstyle with the MGT Everything Bundle: Youβll never get stuck on a learning plateau thinking, βWhat do I learn next?β ever again.
After helping hundreds of students over the last 20 years at the MGT studio, here it is available as one massive bundle: Every single one of our much loved guitar books, for a whopping 25% discount!
Whatβs Included?
Electric Guitar Solo Style 1: Learn lead guitar - bending, blues, and the basics. Learn all the guitar soloing tips and tricks you never knew you needed!
Electric Guitar Solo Style 2: Take your soloing skills to the next level, master scales across the fretboard, and play guitar solos across genres, including Blues, Jazz, Funk, Surf Guitar, Rock Shuffle and much more.
Modern Guitar Chord Styles 1: Learn to effortlessly change between all the most important guitar chords & learn basic strumming, arpeggio, and fingerstyle patterns. Itβll have you ready to play the songs you love in 10 pages or so!
Modern Guitar Chord Styles 2: Master your bar chords, memorise your root notes across the 5th and 6th strings, and learn about the development of electric guitar styles, from Rock, Blues, Punk, Reggae, Fusion and more from across the decades!
Modern Guitar Chord Styles 3: Get funky, learn jazz, bossa nova, gypsy jazz, walking basslines, and more! Get to know complex chord harmony and test your rhythm skills with this advanced level book.
Modern Guitar Fingerstyle: Ever wanted to accompany yourself? Learn to play chords and a melody at the same time with exercises and songs designed to develop fingerpicking mastery.
After helping hundreds of students over the last 20 years at the MGT studio, finally, here it is available as one massive bundle: Every single one of our much loved guitar books, for a whopping 25% discount! Thereβs nothing more important when learning guitar than having a proper, structured, step by step pathway to guide to you to success. With the everything bundle, youβll never have to wonder βWhat should I learn next?β again. Master your lead guitar, rhythm guitar and fingerstyle playing, all while learning the history and development of modern electric and acoustic guitar styles.
Whatβs included? Iβm glad you asked!
Electric Guitar Solo Style 1: Learn lead guitar - bending, blues, and the basics. For beginner to intermediate lead guitarists. Learn all the guitar soloing tips and tricks you never knew you needed!
Modern Guitar Chord Styles 1: Learn to effortlessly change between all the most important guitar chords & learn basic strumming, arpeggio, and fingerstyle patterns. Itβll have you ready to play the songs you love in 10 pages or so!
Modern Guitar Chord Styles 2: Master your bar chords, memorise your root notes across the 5th and 6th strings, and learn about the development of electric guitar styles, from Rock, Blues, Punk, Reggae, Fusion and more from across the decades!
Modern Guitar Chord Styles 3: Get funky, learn jazz, bossa nova, gypsy jazz, walking basslines, and more! Get to know complex chord harmony and test your rhythm skills with this advanced level book.
Modern Guitar Fingerstyle: Ever wanted to accompany yourself? Learn to play chords and a melody at the same time with exercises and songs designed to develop fingerpicking mastery.
Please note: Electric Guitar Solo Style 2 is currently a digital only product and is not included in this bundle.
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Brand New! - Electric Guitar Solo Style 1
Announcing the latest book from author, composer and educator Michelle Nelson, Electric Guitar Solo Style 1.
Electric Guitar Solo Style 1 is the ultimate guide for electric guitar beginners aged 12 and up, designed to build soloing skills step by step. This course focuses on essential techniques like slides, hammer-ons, pull-offs, and string bending, using clear exercises that develop fretboard mastery and picking confidence. With a special emphasis on string bending, EGSS1 breaks down the mechanics and signature styles of this iconic guitar skill. Packed with realistic solos based on classic blues progressions and accompanied by MP3 recordings, this is the perfect resource for players ready to elevate their electric guitar game.