Robert Johnson: The New Transcriptions

A must buy for any guitar player who is interested in Robert Johnson's various playing styles and music writing. There are only 41 recordings available of Robert Johnson, with 29 compositions plus 12 alternate versions. This transcription book only contains some of those, and it contains a few multiple versions of songs instead of choosing to give a few more other tunes. Don't be swayed by this, like I was before purchasing. The alternate tunes are often in different tunings and include different phrasings and voicings of chords, so they're essentially different songs. They add to the insight of RJ's brilliance which this book gives.There are only a few experiences that I've had when playing guitar that can match when I tuned down to open E and played some of the voicings for Hellhound On My Trail. It'll give you some serious chills, like Mr. Robert is there with you in spirit.There has been a lot of deliberation over what speed the recordings are being played back in the recordings we listen to as well as what tunings, etc. that RJ really used. No one seems to know all because of the brief time Mr. Johnson recorded and the mysteriousness that surrounds all that is him and his music. I believe that this is the closest we probably have, although it's probably not 100% accurate if I try to over analyze it. But, don't you let that stop you. A lot of hard work by these transcribers was done in order to present his music in sheet music and tab form to their best of their abilities. It's the best we have and it's worth it!Any fan of the blues who wants to know where it was around 1930, before the electric guitar and production came into the forum with Chess Records in the 50s, should get this. There's much more than a simple I-IV-I progression and that cliché rhythm many people think of when it comes to the blues. This is where you begin. This is where that sound came from, as far as the evolution of blues guitar. This book isn't for the faint of heart, but dive in even if you don't think you're ready (like myself). There's only one way to learn to swim, jump in the deep end. Well, actually, don't take that advice literally or you'll probably drown. You get what I mean. Robert Johnson forever!

Regarding the "missing" cigarette:Robert Johnson didn't have a cigarette in his mouth at all times and the US postage stamp is just an illustration; the original background is also changed on that 29-cent stamp (from a cloth sheet to wooden boards).This is a man who had rambling on his mind, stones in his passway, a hellhound on his trail, and someone had been driving his Terraplane, so it's a miracle that he remained a steady rolling man, despite being a drunken-hearted one. As there's not one song about smoking in his repertoire, I can't be too cross about the airbrushed cigarette. It doesn't sound like he's got a cigarette between his lips as he's singing, so I just imagine that he stubbed it out or even quit smoking entirely before shooting this cover.All in all, this book may well be the last fair deal gone down and, when you got a good friend who will stay right by your side, stop breaking down, find a kindhearted woman, take that guitar with you on your honeymoon and study this book from 4 till late, or all your love's in vain.

I saw some low review ratings for this book, but discovered that they were all for the Kindle version. Fortunately, I ordered the paperback version and am very pleased with it.First, it is not a small format book. It is a full 9" x 12" format which is perfect for music scores.Second, The transcriptions are very complete including the specific tuning for each song (and there are many with Robert Johnson) as well as capo locations where applicable. Very complete sheets of music.Third, it is complete. That is, it contains all 29 of Robert Johnson's recorded song catalogue. If you are unfamiliar with Robert Johnson, you will be surprised at how many of the blues "Standards" were written by Johnson.If you're a blues guitarist and into the early Delta sound, then this is a prefect reference.

I had this book 12-14 years ago and over time and moves, I had misplaced/lost it. When you hear Robert play, you think at first, well that's pretty good - sort of okay. But when you realize it's just one man/ one guitar sitting in a hotel room or warehouse (depending on the version fo the story) being recorded live, you start to wonder how he does all that - with one guitar. This book explains it all, with great tablature. I learned some licks I had wanted to know all my life. It's especially great because many of the "classics" that all bluesmen play are Johnson songs and they're al here.

very consise, author captures every note. Most tunes use alternate tunings. If your playing normally consists of three first position chords, this book will test your abilities. I came away with a much greater appreciation of Robert Johnson's skill. Advanced chords across the full neck.

KINDLE VERSION ONLYAs with many books, this one appears too small in Amazon's horrible Kindle reader app, and as a result is too much of a strain on my eyes. I have the print version, which is a fantastic book. Only buy this if you don't mind small print.

Since Robert Johnson used non-standard tunings, capos in seemingly random positions, and there's no video recording of his playing at all, it's about as easy to transcribe his music as solving a doctoral-level open scientific problem. While I don't approve of most guitar songbooks published these days, I certainly feel that the authors have offered us more than a fair deal with this book, and unless you have a few years of your life you're willing to dedicate to studying acoustic guitar Delta blues, you'd be well advised to reap these ready results.It's well worth it.

this is an excellent book for a serious guitar player(not a beginner). my only complaint if you can call it that, is that the chords are not shown they are just written out so i'll have to get a chord book for the key of A which apparently is what poor old Bob loved to play.... but still, what a great book!!!!

If you are interested in learning any Robert Johnson songs, this is a great resource! I would say it would be practically impossible to tab these songs down perfectly and in that respect I think the author has done a great job.

All Robert Johnson's music so if you're a fan I highly recommend this for you.Easy to read tabulars and instructions at the back if you're not sure of the technique written.Look no further this is the book.Does anyone know where I can get tabulars for Willie Brown's Ragged and Dirty and Mssissippi Blues. Can't find them anywhere.

The book itself is a great book, Ideal format, detailed trascriptions.Recommended to all blues lovers guitarists!Amazon service was excellent!!!Ordered on Saturday night, arrived Tuesday afternoon. Excellent package and book intact!Highly recommended.

If you play guitar, love the blues and have taken an interest in it's roots, then this book is a must buy. All 29 songs Robert Johnson ever recorded have been meticulously tabbed, and his (sometimes unique) tunings have been accurately "decoded". The book seems to go out of print sometimes, so if it's available, buy it now, you won't regret it!!!

This booklet is a valuable asset to help understand the way Robert Johnson treated rhythm. I recommend it to all guitarists who wish to improve their playing and create new rhythms in their playing. It should go together with the recorded music to ensure deeper understanding.