As seen in
Guitar Girl Magazine Issue 6 – Holiday 2018
Guitar for Girls: A Beginner’s Guide to Playing Acoustic or Electric Guitar
Author: Ali Handal
Publisher: Hal Leonard (2012)
Price: $15.99
Hal Leonard Corporation and female guitarist/singer-songwriter Ali Handal partnered together back in 2012 on a book/CD pack, Guitar for Girls: A Beginner’s Guide to Playing Acoustic or Electric Guitar. Handal says, “I took great care to include encouragement, advice, and inspiring quotes from musicians for my readers. I believe that addressing the ‘inner game’ of learning guitar is as important as teaching fundamental chords and songs.”
One of the great things about this book about this book is that it is full of beautiful inspirational quotes from female guitarists like Bonnie Raitt, KT Tunstall, Sarah McLachlan, Joan Jett, Shawn Colvin, Melissa Etheridge, and many more. It’s a book that is geared toward beginning female guitarists, and with these words of encouragement by accomplished female musicians, it will help give students the inspiration and knowledge to know that playing guitar is achievable. And, the songs included are all by female musicians that are loved and admired.
I think I’ve become a much better singer and a much better player. Years and years of playing a couple of hours every day will do that.
~Sarah McLauchlan
This is an excellent tool for beginner guitarists from their teenage years and up who are serious about learning guitar and is not designed for young children. It methodically describes in detail the parts of the guitar, good practice habits, how to tune a guitar, and then goes into teaching chords. Of particular fun are the practice sessions that are located throughout the book and are also found on the accompanying CD.
Be true to yourself and believe in what you do and stick with it.
~Shawn Colvin
Not only are basic chords taught in Chapter 2, but Ali also covers advanced and power chords throughout Chapters 3-5. In Chapter 6, strumming, fingerpicking, and muting techniques are included along with a section on Fast Strumming and Chord Changes—think “Crazy on You” by Heart!
Don’t let anyone tell you that you have to be a certain way. Be unique. Be what you feel. ~Melissa Etheridge
An excellent tip to remember is a quote that can be found in the book by Wynonna Judd – “The failures and successes are necessary for learning.” So, don’t get down when you are first starting out. If it seems too impossible, remember that the guitar is not an easy instrument, and it takes practice, practice, and more practice, but the result is well worth it.
I just do what comes out and I don’t fight it. I make sure I’m just doing the best I can.
KT Tunstall
Chapter 7 covers all kinds of topics like how to properly use a capo, alternate tunings, drop D tuning (learn “I Love Rock ‘N Roll), and singing while playing.
I think there’s nothing better than seeing a three-chord, straight-up rock ‘n’ roll band in your face with sweaty music and three-minute, good songs.
~Joan Jett
Handal concludes the book with beginning songwriting tips. The beautiful thing about guitar or any musical instrument is that it is something you can do for the rest of your life.
~ Updated February 27, 2024