GUITAR WISDOM by Tomo Fujita

In Guitar Wisdom, Tomo Fujita--renowned guitarist and longtime professor at Berklee College of Music--shares the philosophy and methods that have guided countless students around the world. With clarity and warmth, he shows how to build real musicianship from the ground up, training not only the hands but also the ears, intuition, and spirit.

This book will help you:
- Hear notes, chords, and rhythms with greater awareness
- Develop groove and timing as a natural foundation
- Connect scales and triads to expressive playing
- Build daily habits that support lifelong growth

First published in Japan in 2010, this modern classic has reached its 20th printing. Now available for the first time in English, it brings Fujita's celebrated approach to a global community of guitarists.

Accessible yet profound, Guitar Wisdom is more than a method--it is an invitation to play with freedom, confidence, and joy.

#Contents

-Preface

-Introduction
Foundational Practice Comes First
Learn the Fretboard Deeply
Internalize Music
Consistent Practice = Long-Term Growth
Before You Begin...

-Chapter 1: Prepare Your Practice Environment
The Importance of Preparation
Use a Strap
Set Up Your Guitar
Tune with Your Ears
Check Your Guitar Neck
Change Your Strings
Choose Picks with Care
Use an Amplifier
Record Yourself
Eliminate Distractions
Use Your Time Effectively
Chapter 1 Summary

-Chapter 2: Practice Basic Exercises
Develop Awareness
Challenge Your Commitment
Start with Foundation, Not Scale
Both Hands Timing
Do Not Imitate Famous Players
Set Your Amp for Effective Practice
Proper Volume
Metronome Setting - Slow Tempo
Even Slower - Without a Metronome
Metronome Setting - Regular Tempo
How to Feel Rhythm in Practice
When You Cannot Feel 2 & 4
'No Look' Approach
Chromatic Scale Exercises
Chapter 2 Summary

-Chapter 3: Feel Rhythm in Your Body
How to Learn Rhythm
Feel the Downbeat and Upbeat
Practice Counting with Your Body
Tapping Exercise
Accenting Practice
Practice with Your Guitar
Muting Technique
Amp Setting for Rhythm Guitar Practice
Chapter 3 Summary

-Chapter 4: Train Your Ear
Stop Memorizing Scale Shapes
Understand Intervals
Understand by Ear > Theory
One-String / One-Finger Approach
Develop Your Sense of Pitch
Recognize M3 and b3 Intervals
Imagine the Sound
Sing First, Then Play
Learn the C Major Scale
It's Never Too Late!
Chapter 4 Summary

-Chapter 5: Learn the Essentials of Triad Harmony
Make Full Use of Chords and Scales
What Are Triads?
How Can I Use Triads?
Can I Learn Triads Visually?
Understand Interval Relationship of Open Chords (CDGAE)
Horizontal Movement of Big Chords
Exploring Big A and E Chords
Big Chords to Small Chords
Let's Play All Small Triads
Apply to Other Chords
Check Triads with Same Intervals
Let's Play "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" like Jimi Hendrix
Connecting Scales and Triads
Chords for "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star"
Mastering Major Triads
Let's Challenge F Major Triads
Chapter 5 Summary

-Chapter 6: Develop a Blues Feeling
Let the Blues Begin
Background: Why the Blues Matters
Let's Listen to B.B. King!
Influence from Blues to Rock
The Power of Transcribing Details
Common Pitfalls of the Blues
Characteristic of the Blues
Blues Bassline
Blues Chords
Minor Pentatonic
String Bending
Phrasing
Improvisation
Practice Making Space
E Blues
Look Up and Stay Positive
Chapter 6 Summary

-Chapter 7: Listen Like a Musician
Listen with Purpose
Less Is More
Listen Like a Record
Imagine Songs in Detail
Image Training for Improvisation
Image Training for Blues
Practice Without Your Guitar
Listen to Each Part of the Music
Image Training for Arranging Music
If You Listen to Music Effectively You Can Improve Yourself
Chapter 7 Summary

-Chapter 8: Build Better Habits
Practice in the Morning
Don't Save Practice for the Weekends
Set Clear Goals
Write It Down (Paper and Pencil Is Best!)
Record Yourself and Review Your Performance
Network at Concerts
Chapter 8 Summary

Final Thoughts

Author Bio:
Tomo Fujita
◎Official Web site→ https://www.tomofujitamusic.com　
Tomo Fujita is a highly respected guitarist and educator with over three decades of experience as a professor in the Guitar Department at Berklee College of Music. Originally from Japan, he came to Berklee on a full scholarship in 1986 and soon distinguished himself, becoming the first Japanese winner of the Boston Guitarist Competition in 1991. Known for his expressive, vocal-like playing and deep musical insight, Tomo has performed with world-class artists including Phil Collins, Steve Gadd, Susan Tedeschi, and Buddy Guy. As a teacher, he has mentored some of today's most prominent guitarists, such as John Mayer, Eric Krasno, Tom Misch, and Juanes. His instructional work--through private lessons, masterclasses, published materials, and his online platform Guitar Wisdom--has helped guitarists around the world develop strong fundamentals, musicality, and confidence. Tomo's unique ability to connect musical concepts with real-world application reflects his lifelong dedication to both the art and craft of guitar playing.
In recent years, Tomo has continued to expand his musical reach, releasing new recordings such as "Pure" and "Blue Sky," which showcase his signature clean tone, phrasing, and soulful approach. He has also toured in China, sharing his knowledge and music with international audiences, and collaborated with former students and acclaimed Japanese artists like Toshiki Soejima and Shingo Sekiguchi in live sessions and studio projects--further solidifying his role as a global ambassador of guitar education and performance.

※本電子書籍『GUITAR WISDOM by Tomo Fujita』は、2010年刊行の書籍『ギター・マガジン 耳と感性でギターが弾ける本』の内容を英訳した英語版です。
This digital edition is a reproduction of the print book "Mimi To Kansei De Guitar Ga Hikeru Hon," originally published on February 8, 2010 by Rittor Music, Inc.