The Subversive Guitarist

Are you stuck in a guitar rut? This book can help.

Joe Gore (a longtime guitar magazine editor and guitarist for Tom Waits, PJ Harvey, Tracy Chapman, and many other artists) has created a collection of technical and conceptual exercises that challenge the muscle-memory habits that inhibit your true creativity. The Subversive Guitarist will liberate you from boring autopilot playing, kill clichés, and help you refine your unique musical voice.

This book includes hundreds of examples (with tab and audio) but isn’t just a collection of licks and tricks. Each chapter is filled with musical ideas illustrated in standard notation, tab, and audio. The Subversive Guitarist dares ambitious and creative players to examine the very foundations of their playing.
“It’s hard to imagine any serious guitarist not coming away from this important book as a better musician. An invaluable tool for any dedicated guitarist.” — Richard Fortus (Guns N’ Roses, Psychedelic Furs, Dead Daisies)

“Unique in the pantheon of guitar instruction. Joe Gore’s prodigious intellect and empathic heart illuminate alternative ways to approach guitar, giving inquisitive seekers new ways to find their own voice.” — Vernon Reid (Living Colour, Jack Bruce, Public Enemy, Mick Jagger)

“Learning guitar is difficult. Learning how to use your own instincts and creativity to make your best music is even more difficult. Joe Gore has managed to fuse teaching guitar techniques with simultaneous expansion of musical knowledge. You will learn about things you never knew you wanted to learn. You can’t get any more subversive than that!” —Dweezil Zappa (composer, bandleader)

“This book is fantastic! It’s chock-full of ideas and exercises to expand a player's command of the instrument and break free from habits that hinder advancement. I highly recommend this brilliant book!” — Lyle Workman (film composer, Sting, Beck, Frank Black, Todd Rundgren)

“Joe Gore is among today’s most versatile and knowledgeable guitarists. His uniquely wide view offers valuable perspectives for any musician seeking to push past convention, grow a richer musical vocabulary, and cultivate a more adventurous and creative approach.” — Gretchen Menn (solo artist, Zepparella, guitar clinician)

“Think of The Subversive Guitarist as one of the classic guitar method books, without any dogma or agenda. Joe Gore has found a way to get guitar players to learn the bedrock fundamentals without seeming like that’s what they’re doing. I wish this book was around when I was coming up. Bravo!” — Charlie Hunter (solo artist, T.J. Kirk, Norah Jones, Frank Ocean, D’Angelo)

“This book is incredible! The internet is full of guitarists following well worn paths, known patterns, and predictable music. What’s needed now is a generation willing to seek beyond the clichés. The Subversive Guitarist offers clues and cues to inspire your own fresh ideas. These are the best kind of concepts: the ones you never finish working on.” — James Valentine (Maroon 5, John Mayer)