Although most guitarists know there are 3 octaves on a guitar, few know how to play on a 3 octave scale because they lack a systematic approach to moving continuously down the neck of the guitar. Fingering a three octave scale is a very advanced level of play. Guitar Master’s 3-octave method teaches the guitarist multiple scale forms that connect to form a fluid 3-octave scale.

There are five major scale forms that are essential to know in order to cover the entire neck of the guitar. It is essential that you learn each form thoroughly before moving on to the next. Study one form at a time. Mastery of each form independently is critical to mastery of the entire guitar.

Getting Started with Guitar Master

Hanon is the best book to start with because it introduces you to the shifts, position playing and fingering used in the Guitar Master system. If you don’t read music well, you can follow the fingering contained in all the Guitar Master books to help you out. If you don’t read music at all, “Hanon book 1” and “Not for Beginners” both come in Tablature Editions. The “Ultimate Guide to Scales and Arpeggios” includes tablature for the major and minor scales and arpeggios to help you learn the scale form presented throughout the book.

Using a metronome will help you to accurately monitor your progress. If you gradually increase the tempo as your skills develop. you’ll push yourself to higher levels of performance. That depends on you, and a guitarist never stops developing his or her skills as a musician. Guitar Master books grow with you as you develop because you are able to find and take on new challenges in the material with every level of advancement.

The Secret of Great Guitar Playing is elusive for most players because challenging materials and methods that take guitarists into the upper echelons of mastery are nearly impossible to find…until now! Guitar Master provides quality, advanced studies written specifically for the acoustic and electric pick-style guitar. Based on the advanced system developed by renowned guitarist, Joseph Sgro, this is one of the best possible courses of study to improve your technique and prepare you to move skillfully and easily over the instrument. Sgro’s level of guitar mastery is unrivaled. Learn his amazing system through Guitar Master.

Features and Benefits of the Guitar Master Method

3 octave method–The Guitar Master books present new fingering that provides a logical and systematic approach to mastering all the major and minor scales (including arpeggios) through the entire 3 octave range of the guitar. The uniqueness of the guitar requires that a student know a minimum of four fingerings for each scale. Part of the “magic” of the new approach is its incorporation of scales and arpeggios with basic chord progressions.

Stretch fingering–There are many occasions when it is necessary to stretch your fingers beyond the range of the position you are playing. The Guitar Master system develops finger independence, agility, finger strength, and finger patterns to facilitate moving over the instrument.

Soloing and Performance–Guitar Master provides a complete set of progressively difficult material that will raise your level of performance. Development of technical skills along with an understanding of relevant musical theory prepare the Guitar Master student to be flexible, creative when performing, soloing and composing music.

Position playing and music notation–Learn fingering and musical notation effortlessly in thirteen positions. Guitar Master material accelerates learning of musical notes as well as the neck of the guitar.

Efficient picking technique–Guitar Master offers a remarkable technique for using the pick in the most efficient way. It is a unique combination of alternate and directional picking. Alternate picking is a constant down and up stroke. In directional picking, the pick always flows in the direction of movement toward the next string. With no wasted motion, this is very practical method.

Control and fluidity –The technique taught in the Guitar Master system allows the guitarist to produce a smooth and even sound, with unrivaled control even when playing complex and intricate patterns.

Renowned guitarist, Joe Sgro is a musical genius who has recorded hundreds of records with top named artists too numerous to mention. Composer, Arranger, Conductor, and Teacher, Sgro was featured as the “world’s greatest guitarist” on the Ed McMahon show. A child prodigy, Sgro gave his first concert at the age of ten. Since then, he’s worked with practically all the big names in show business including Jackie Gleason, Jan Murray, Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, the Victor Hugo band, the Paul Whiteman orchestra, and the Dave Steven’s orchestra at CBS to name a few. Joe Sgro has appeared with the Philadelphia orchestra under guest conductors Percy Faith, Andre Kostelanitz and Eugene Ormandy, and played with the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra whenever plectrum stringed instruments are required. Sgro’s level of guitar mastery is unrivaled. Learn his amazing system through Guitar Master.

Joe Sgro on his picking technique

“Early in my career during the 1920’s, I was greatly inspired by the artistry of pianist Art Tatum. After hearing him, I realized that I couldn’t play on the guitar the same complex and intricate arpeggios and scale passages that he played on the piano. Upon examination, I discovered the problem was in the use of the pick. This led me to develop a completely new approach to using the pick, which I call the “JS System of Slur-Alternate Picking.” This new approach gave me greater efficiency, flexibility, and a smoother flowing sound.

“I commend Jim Tillman, right from my heart, for taking on the mammoth task to document, publish, and preserve for posterity the JS Slur-Alternate Picking technique. It will be a great aid to guitarists all over the world. I give him the highest accolades for such distinguished work. I don’t know who else would have had the ability to put it in writing.

“It is with great pride and personal pleasure that I give Jim Tillman–one of my former students, and author of the guitar master study system–the right to use my name, photographs, and present my picking technique in his publications. This unique system, I believe, will revolutionize the art of guitar playing.

“I highly endorse and recommend this method for all aspiring guitarists.”

–Joseph Sgro