Dear Don Latarski...

• Dear Mr. Latarski, I just wanted to let you know how appreciative I am for your teaching. I have been playing the guitar for 11 years now. Throughout the years I have learned a lot. But during the whole time I have relied on 5 books: An Introduction to Chord Theory, Chord Orbits, Moveable Chords, Arpeggios for Guitar, and Chord Embellishments. I DO NOT exaggerate when I say that these are the only books I have turned to in the past 11 years. There is just so much information within the pages, and it has helped me greatly through the years. There has been times I have slacked, but I've always returned to them—rejuvenating my skills with them. I've carried them so much (and currently every day), the covers have fallen off. I am now planning to search for your CDs (finally). Once again, thank you for your teaching. I wanted to make sure you know that you are a big part of my guitar life. I hope you don't mind me emailing you from time to time with questions.
-Your friend and Student, Dexter (Brooklyn, New York)

• Don, I kind of flipped out when I recognized the name on the ad. I'm assuming you are the author of a series of guitar books. I just wanted to say thanks, because I really enjoyed the books and it's rare that you find a truly excellent guitar book.
-Thanks again, Neil

• I've been studing your theory book for almost a year now. It's really great. In it you mention that in some modes you should stress (hang out) on certain notes, mainly the 3rd and 7th degree. Would you give an example of this in tab form? It would be very helpful to me. I'm a beginner on the guitar and the book has opened up the keyboard to me. I can play all the major scales in complete confidence now. There are still certain things that I get hung up on but it's just inexerience on my part. From this book, what other book of yours do you recommend next? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
- sincerely, Lee

• Don, I am a huge fan of your books and CDs. So much so that I periodically comb the local music and book stores for new releases (I do this more than I care to admit). Before I attempt another fruitless search, however, I wanted to see if you are working on new material or— better yet—have anything pending release. If so, what can I look forward to and when should I begin looking for it?
-Thanks in advance, Jay

• Good morning Mr. Latarski. Do you and your group ever plan on traveling around the country playing? You mentioned earlier that you were coming out with new a book on blues and a CD to go with it. Where can i get these at ? I have a good collection of your progressive series and they're great.
-thank's for your time. Lee (Leesburg, Florida)

• Greetings Mr. Latarski, I wanted to let you know that I am a big fan of your many guitar books. I have purchased everything in your “Progressive Guitarist” series and frequently return to those pages whenever I feel a need for inspiration. I haven't broken down and bought "the Big Book" yet, but everytime I see it in a bookstore I feel an almost uncontrollable urge... I decided I'd tackle as much as I could in the other six before I went crazy with 100,000 chords! Anyway, I don't want to take a bunch of your time so I just wanted to inquire if you have any other books published that I'm not aware of. I recommend your books above all others to friends of mine who want to stretch their knowledge. I was also curious as to whether you have any recordings available. I look forward to seeing more columns in Guitar Player.
-Respectfully, Gordon

• I have taught and played guitar for more year than I care to count. I use all the books (to date) in the “progressive Guitarist Series” to teach, and to persue my own study. It is the best conceptual and practical material available.
-John, Guitar Teacher (Pismo Beach, California)

• Hello Don, I wanted to tell you how much I've appreciated your books from the progressive guitarist series. Although there is a plethora of books and resources available on the market today, many seem cumbersome and confusing or have very little content to offer. In contrast, I find your books to provide easy to understand explanations that demystify the confusion while offering a balanced approach to learning and exploring the instrument. Job well done! As a guitarist/instructor, I've had the good fortune of corporate sponsors like Roland, Taylor Guitars, Peavey, Maranatha Music and others providing the means to travel and teach workshops all around the Country. I've had the pleasure of performing at the NAMM show four of the five last years. At these events I get to talk with a lot of folks who have endless questions about how to improve their guitar skills. I have recommended your books at these clinics, concerts and workshops to guitar students of all levels countless times. I tell you this not to “toot my own horn” but just to genuinely tell you how much I think of your books. I consider myself to be just an average hack on the guitar, but as a student of the guitar I've found your books to be very helpful. Do you use a particular computer software program to create the chord boxes and diagrams in your books?
-Thanks again, Scott

Mr. Latarski,
It was a fluke that I found a book several years ago called Chord Embellishments. I was helping a friend clean out her ex-husbands belongings from their garage and found this oversized format book hanging out of a file folder. She said he didn't even play the guitar and told me to keep the book. I had played by ear and was self taught for 31 years when I struck it rich with this book. Goldmine! Eureka! I've used it many times over when I'm teaching. Five years later, this book is a mainstay in teaching and learning. I have added Practical Theory and Moveable Chords to the arsenal of guitar knowlege. Your books have helped me make sense of what I was already doing, and expand what I create musically. Now I don't just know what works on the fretboard, I know WHY it works and can teach it as well. I love the guitar more now than ever. Thanks a lot, from me and all my students!
- Bill S.

Dear Don,
I finally had some time off my touring to check out your massive chord book (The Ultimate Guitar Chord Big Book) - great job! I will definitely recommend it to my students.
- Mimi Fox (jazz guitarist and teacher)

Don,
I purchased your Progressive Guitarist Series last year. Just wanted to let you know that these books are priceless. I have learned a great deal about theory and lead playing (scales, embellishments, arpeggios). So, keep up the good work and may God bless you in your efforts to share your knowledge and skills with the WORLD! (it can happen)
Thanks!
Dr. Will J.

Mr. Latarski,
I just wanted to take a moment and give credit where credit is due. Your Progressive Guitarist Series of books have taught me more in the past year than I was able to learn in 10 years of self-teaching and occasional lessons. I have read a good amount of books that teach theory and technique for guitarists, but I have never been compelled to write a “Thank You” letter to any other authors of such books. Yours are the best out there and I am positive that's because they were written by the best guitar instructor out there. I will keep learning from your books and I will continue to recommend them to my own students and other guitarists who ask for my advice. Take care.
Sincerely,
Jasyn J.
Toledo, OH

...By the way, I've got your Practical Theory for Guitar and it is by far and away the best thing I've found. Concise and explains so much. The mode sections are very good. The book has helped me to understand chord substittions and why
they work.
- John M.
St. Louis, MO

...your book provides detailed and easy-to-understand explanations of important concepts like scale and mode harmonization, chord nomenclature, tone substitution, secondary dominants, functioning intervals in chords & scales, etc. My teacher is now using your book as a theory reference for his other students, and I find that the information within is an invaluable resource that I've recommended to a few of my other musician friends. Once again thanks for making such a comprehensive and easy-to-understand theory book!
- Omar C.

Don,
I got the Funk Groove Essentials CD last week, but due to an exhaustive work week, had to wait until yesterday to put it in. WOW! I think it really jump-started my playing! I jammed with the your band for the entire length of the CD, in what seemed like EVERY key!! I was amazed I could come of with so many riffs and ideas for what turned out to be an entire 74 minutes. The intructions got me steered in the right direction with the voicings on the chords and the scale to use.
Thanks a million
.- Jason

Thanks to your book my tunes are really rocking. When I release my records I'll be sure to include your name in the credits to pay tribute to the way you have helped my songwriting. Keep it up, YOU KICK ASS!!!!!!!!
Cheers,
Lorenz P.

I have Practical Theory for Guitar. Even though I have many other books for guitar theory written in Korean and English as well as transcribed from Japanese, Practical Theory for Guitar is the best. Well organized with no useless sentence at all, and above all easy to understand.
Thank you,
Chang Soo Lee from Korea