Mumbai’s founding member of Zygnema Sidharth Kadadi is on a high. Besides heading one of the top hard core heavy /thrash/ power metal bands, Kadadi is now author of a guitar book ‘The Guitar Journal Volume One’, that wannabe guitarists would swear by in bringing out the guitarist in you.

Kadadi who has been a full time musician, guitar instructor, academic consultant and a music educator for 15 plus years, is giving back to the community in the form of educating young guitarist who wish to learn the guitar through his book. Kadadi believes that you can learn guitar with his book. “If we could do it back in the day, so can the youth of today. It keeps you more focused and driven to your weekly and monthly goals. It also tells you, chapter wise, how to approach the instrument and teach yourself, using all the lovely free videos that are available” says the author while adding that it’s easier to learn with this book “because the images, diagrams and instructions have been incorporated so that you know your chords and scales thoroughly”. 

Sidharth has attempted something not many guitarists have done by releasing India’s very first book on learning the guitar.  As a well experienced hand on the guitar himself, you will have all your questions answered, from thus paving the way to learn the instrument with confidence.

He has dedicated his life learning to understand the challenges music educators face when it comes to standardising modules for learning. “I consulted examination boards, academic schools and private music academies for close to a decade, and realised that their biggest and the most obvious struggle is not knowing what to teach. Often music educators don’t study the syllabus of these competitive examinations and the students don't really end up learning music under these instructors. To fill this void, I decided to compile this technical/self help book” says an elated Kadadi while stressing that “the USP of this unique book is to get a one stop solution for absolute beginners / campfire champs with no basic knowledge to learn the guitar”.

With an attractive cover, loads of drawings with explanations, the book is an excellent module for teachers, academic schools, and private trainers, offering a step by step instruction along with personalised tips through the author's musical journey as a beginner. “Among its 10 Chapters, I have even dedicated chapters to Introductions to Major and Minor Chords and Introduction to Major and Minor Scales in an easy to follow pattern with diagrams”.

Kadadi has tried his best to keep the book as casual, interesting, goal oriented and simple in language as he wants people from smaller towns to pick this module up as a guide and begin their journey with the instrument. This he states was the most challenging part of penning the book.

Kadadi says that it was an absolute joy to work on this book, sharing his personal insights about certain chords or scales. “It’s how I viewed it when I was a beginner and then as a student of this instrument. I still am, as learning never stops” states Kadadi who in 2015 has been running his tiny little guitar academy "Guitar Garage Inc'.

Kadadi says that his main objective of this book is to help schools, instructors and students out with a final solution with detailed information that will mould them into a solid Foundation level musician and more importantly, work as a solid text book for learning. “The bigger picture is to see this book as an obvious choice for anyone who plans to start learning the guitar all by themselves or under an instructor”. 

While there are many self help videos, books available on the internet to learn guitar, keyboard and other instruments, Kadadi says that his book gives out all the information in one book, which others don’t. “I have covered the entire foundation level that every enthusiastic candidate is looking for. Its just not a bunch of exercises or workouts that most of these books have to offer. I mean they are great, but first you need to know why they exist in the first place. ‘The Guitar Journal Vol 1’ covers the basics thoroughly and it's not only a learning tool, it's a fantastic teaching tool for a lot of teachers who want to follow a method and incorporate their vision along with it. In short, it doesn't dictate your learning. It's open ended” says the strapping musician who plans on releasing Volume II in the near future.

“Volume II is step up from just becoming a campfire or a party pleaser.  A bunch of techniques and additional chords and scales that will only add to their playing and make them sound a lot more mature and solid. This also enables better understanding towards music and basic composing tricks”, revealsKadadi.  

Through the years Kadadi has worked hard to reach the summit of his career. He imparts the golden words he’s adhered to, to young learners of the guitar, “Patience, Determination and Practice. No matter how well you play or how old you are, these 3 mantras are the only way to satisfy your soul and the urge to get better with your instrument” signs off Kadadi.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Locksley Hall Publishing LLP.

Language ‏ : ‎ English

Paperback ‏ : ‎ 147 pages

Price: Rs. 299/-

Available on: Amazon

 Reviewed by Verus Ferreira