ZZ Top: Guitar Play-Along Volume 99 (Guitar Play-along, 99)

I'm giving all low ratings to warn buyers about the new & improved "Online Access Crap"Okay here's the deal. I originaliy give it 5 stars, I Love these Play Along (BUT), I hate the new & improved (Online Access Crap!) Yep I bought one of those too! NOTE: however I bought this I think 2 yrs. ago with CD & am just now getting around to a review. I'm reading reviews now that they are selling some with the online play along crap. If that is the case please look at my review is a 1 star!So I warning you! I'd contact the seller if the CD is included. Maybe it won't matter to you or keep reading.I emailed talking with a company representative; he was saying we're going to this because that is what most people prefer. That's BS. Now they charge more give less.I agree with another reviewer "Times are a changing !" "where's the CD? "Boo on Hal Leonard for going cheap. This is a real deterrent for me buying any more of your book. I've purchased 13 others from them with CD. Times are a changing.I wanted one volume with the O.A. really bad and ended up purchasing it after giving it the 1 star rating. Only myself to blame.What you need to know about their new & improved online access (No CD with books anymore) IF YOU WANT TO USE THE SLOW DOWN TEMPO OR PITCH FEATURE you are forced to do your practice online. I always got kicked off if I needed a extra long break. Having to log back in re-enter my code # re-choose the song I had just been working on. Re-set up all tempo or pitch changes. All because as their representative had told me people prefer the new and improved online access. Also the tempo feature only offers 4 choice increments unlike the old which offered limitless options. True as the sales rep suggested you can down load the songs to your computer then copy them to CD or iPhone. But, unless you have a program that slows it down on your iPhone. Or with a program to copy it to your PC at a favorite slowed down speed; only 1 choice. Or of course own the full Tempo/ Pitch version (are you seeing where this is going?) Always less for more $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I have a couple of the Play-Along volumes and they have proven valuable in building additional chops and technique. While the included CD does not contain the original recorded versions, the covers are of high quality and the matching TAB shows the exact notes being played. Keep in mind -- this is NOT an instructional guide that breaks down the songs to teach you the licks. What is provided is a cover of each song (at speed) along with TABs. Also included is a backing track for each song without the lead guitar so you can play along. With that being said, this guide can be used to provide excellent instruction. To best use the material for learning, the songs can be slowed down so you can follow along with the TAB. This requires an external device or a PC with the right software -- I use a standalone guitar trainer device for this purpose and have no experience using the software included with the CD. Whether you want to learn some additional licks or some of the entire songs, I would recommend this product.

The CD is what this songbook has over the many other ZZ Top editions. It's really great to be able to play along to a backing track, so that you can really hear how you sound with the song. The sheet music is easy to read, has the option of guitar tablature or the traditional written notes, and the book fits easily on a music stand (as long as you have something to clip back the other pages.

all these HL play alongs are fun!

Awesome and accurate, just spent a few minutes and learn a LOT, this was the best 10$ I ever spent, completely satisfied.

If you can figure out a song by reading music or tab then this book is perfect.The backing tracks are top notch with both demo and guitar free versions on the disk. The amazing slow downer helps slow down the tracks without changing pitch. The print is easy to read with high quality bindings. I like this product.

Excellent product, but they don't warn you that the software that comes with it is a trial version with an annoying "nag screen." Bad form, Hal Leonard.The transcriptions and recordings seem perfect. The software is easy to use, and it's effective. Fantastic practice aid.

good sound CD but like most of these books there are no vocals. Learn the songs, play along, all good fun.

zz top

Good

Die (ohne Gesang) aufgenommen Songs klingen für mich, als würde Billy sie selbst eingespielt haben. Super der jeweils zweite Track zu einem Stück, in dem die Gitarre fehlt. Hier läßt sich jeweilige Stand des Trainings überprüfen.Das Einzige, was zu einer kleinen Abwertung für mich führt, ist die Songauswahl. "Stages" ist mir total unbekannt - dafür hätte der Autor an "Waitin' for the Bus" das obligatorische "Jesus just left Chicago" hängen können.Alles in allem: für einen angehenden Billy Gibbons-Imitator ein gelungenes und hilfreiches Werk.

Die Notation mag an der einen oder anderen Stelle fragwürdig sein, es wird nicht auf alle Gitarrenspuren eingegangen. Letzteres dürfte aber auch hilfreich sein - so bekommt man eine Spur, die man auch alleine nachspielen kann.Insbesondere die Playalongs sind akribisch eingespielt und hören sich aber auch gut an - und man hört den Bass, was dem Kollegen hilft!Nur die Songauswahl ist etwas Geschmacksache...

Das Songbook erfüllt meine Erwartungen voll und ganz. Es ist gut aufgegliedert und bringt einem Schritt für Schritt die Songs bei.