Guitar Zero cover art

Guitar Zero

The New Musician and the Science of Learning

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Guitar Zero

By: Gary Marcus
Narrated by: Gary Marcus
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About this listen

On the eve of his fortieth birthday, a professor of no discernible musical talent learns to play the guitar and investigates how anyone of any age might master a new skill.

Just about every human being knows how to listen to music, but what does it take to make music? Is musicality something we are born with? Or a skill that anyone can develop at any time? If you don't start piano at the age of six, is there any hope? Is skill learning best left to children or can anyone reinvent him-or herself at any time?

On the eve of his fortieth birthday, Gary Marcus, an internationally renowned scientist with no discernible musical talent, becomes his own guinea pig to look at how human beings become musical- and how anyone of any age can master something new. Guitar Zero traces his journey, what he learned, and how you can learn, too. In addition to being a groundbreaking look at the origins and allure of music, Marcus's journey is also an empowering tale of the mind's plasticity.

In a quest that takes him from Suzuki classes to guitar gods, Marcus investigates the most effective ways to train your brain and body to learn to play an instrument. How can you make your practice more deliberate and effective? How can you find the best music teacher for you or your child? Does talent really exist? Or is hard work all you need?

Guitar Zero stands the science of music on its head, debunking the popular theory of an innate musical instinct and many other commonly held fallacies. At the same time, it raises new questions about the science of human pleasure and brings new insight into humankind's most basic question: what counts as a life well lived? Does one have to become the next Jimi Hendrix to make a passionate pursuit worthwhile? Or can the journey itself bring the brain lasting satisfaction?

For those who have ever set out to learn a musical instrument-or wishes that they could- Guitar Zero is an inspiring and fascinating look at music, learning, and the pursuit of a well-lived life.

©2012 Gary Marcus (P)2012 Penguin
Instruction & Technique Inspiring

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not a guitar lesson book.

It's a good book and explains a lot but inspires insight as to one's own playing rather than teachers how to play better.

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Promised a great deal but stalled

unfortunately I don’t have a PHD to get the technical stuff. Too many rabbit holes

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.

A bit all over the shop in terms of content, but as a whole enjoyable and coins well the motivations for and ins and out of making music.

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Interesting, but probably not for everybody

I went into this book with an open mind and no expectations. I wasn't disappointed, but I can understand how some people would be.

There is very little content in the book about guitar concepts. The book is primarily about the concept of learning. It covers how children and adults learned. It covers how musical skill is acquired. It talks about the concept of talent versus practice.

Interesting book, good concept.

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send it! good book to read

great the book has open up ideas on teaching my sone and my way of learning

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