• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Az Samad Lessons

Guitar, Ukulele and Music Lessons

  • About
  • Lessons
  • Music Reviews
  • Book, Video & Course Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Creative Fridays
  • Store
  • Contact

Book Review: The Tao of Badass Guitar by Ben Higgins

January 12, 2018 by azsamadlessons Leave a Comment

I first found out about Ben Higgins via his articles on Guitar World Online. As I read his articles and watched his videos on YouTube, I became convinced that this guy really knew his stuff. After getting one of his Badass Guitar Courses, I was totally a fan. It would lead me to get A LOT of his videos and eventually this book.

In The Tao of Badass Guitar, you get very direct, very honest and real advice. Ben basically talks to you like how a close buddy would while hanging out. He doesn’t mince his words so there’s a lot of profanities interspersed within the advice he dispenses. If you’re uncomfortable with swearing, this book may not be a good choice for you because of the language used.

However, if the language doesn’t bother you – the pure content will fire you up! In 8 concise chapters, Ben summarises important tips that will help you develop your playing. This is not a style dependent book – all the tips address fundamental issues in terms of mindset, practice and playing approach. You could play rock, blues, jazz, fingerstyle guitar – a player from any musical background can benefit from this book.

Ben says it as it is and is a really passionate educator. If you want to learn practical concepts in a very concise and direct way, get this book. And then, get as many of his video courses. Great stuff. Strongly recommended!

Pros: Very short book with precise tips that you can apply immediately.
Cons: 
Very short book – I wish there was more but this book is pretty much in the same aesthetic as Ben’s other works – he doesn’t do long-winded content.
TLDR: If you liked Zen Guitar but want something a bit more edgy, get this book, read it in one sitting and revisit it every few weeks or months.

I bought this copy from Amazon. Love Ben’s work, you should too.

How to Buy:
Please buy this book from Amazon here. It’s only USD$2.99!

[Read more Book Reviews]

Book Review: Bach Scales by Jon De Lucia

Book Review: Extended Scale Playing for Guitar by Joe Puma

Book Review: Between the Voicings by Hristo Vitchev

Book Review: Voicing Modes – A Chord Voicing Approach to Hearing and Practicing Modes by Noel Johnston

Book Review: The Outside Sounds and Substitutions of Modern Saxophonists for Jazz Guitar by Kevin Miller

[Submissions for Review Consideration]

  • Are you an author who wrote a jazz, guitar or music book?
  • Have you created a DVD or an online video course or subscription based website?
  • Would you like me to review your book/course?

Please send me a message at azsamad2 at gmail.com with:

For courses: a link to the course/video/product + access info etc.
For books: a link to the book (Dropbox) or PDF attachment (if it’s small) for review consideration.

Depending on whether I dig the book/course, I’ll let you know if I do plan to review it!

I cannot guarantee a review for every submission & if I’m not too into it, I may opt not to review it. I mean, it’s better to get a good review that for me to write a bad review just because it’s not a match for the kind of stuff I dig right? :p

NOTE: All reviews reflect my honest personal opinion so be aware that I will point out both cool Pros and Cons that I see in the work. You dig? 🙂

Join my newsletter to get more guitar playing tips & lessons!

* indicates required


Filed Under: Beyond Music, Book Reviews, Composition, Guitar Scales, Guitar Technique, Philosophy, Practice Secrets

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Sign Up For Free Guitar & Music Tips!

Search for a topic, review or lesson:

Recent Posts

  • Course Review: Alternate Picking Mastery by Polychuck Academy
  • Video Review: Jimmy Bruno Online School by Jimmy Bruno
  • Book Review: Effortless Guitar by Adrian Farrell, MSTAT
  • Book Review: Advertising For Profits by William L. Doremus
  • Book Review: Solo Chords by Roger Hutchinson

Categories

  • Ask Az (2)
  • Beyond Music (84)
  • Blues Guitar (7)
  • Book Reviews (146)
  • business book (19)
  • Chord Melody (36)
  • Composition (29)
  • Course Reviews (15)
  • Creative Fridays (14)
  • Fingerstyle Guitar (24)
  • grant cardone (1)
  • Guitar Chords (98)
  • Guitar Scales (82)
  • Guitar Shopping (3)
  • Guitar Technique (205)
  • Gypsy Jazz (9)
  • Interviews (20)
  • Jazz (78)
  • Jazz Guitar (162)
  • Jazz Guitar Harmony (60)
  • Jazz Guitar Harmony (122)
  • Licks (139)
  • Music Business (6)
  • Music Review (28)
  • Music Theory (119)
  • News (4)
  • Philosophy (105)
  • Practice Secrets (232)
  • Reviews (10)
  • Rhythm Lessons (22)
  • Strategi Bina Kerjaya Muzik (5)
  • Transcription Set Review (6)
  • Ukulele (3)
  • Uncategorized (17)
  • Video Games (3)
  • Video Lessons (98)

Copyright © 2023 · Genesis Sample on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in