the two studies go together or can go together.
I don't see any "harm" coming from looking through the books mentioned, if they are curious
go for it. There is no path to follow when learning, we're like cows grazing in a field guided by interest. There is plenty of time to put the whole picture together. Me being someone that has gone down the path a ways, and can apply whatever to my music I look back and see the clarity and the easy path. There is possibly nothing better to do in becoming a musician than to walk your own path. And that means others will put up signpost saying "turn here"
or "beware of danger"
As far as learning, you can understand application and understand the building blocks at the same time, in fact you don't really need to know the building blocks, just apply, by ear.
There are tons of folks that play their music with no understanding of what a 3rd is or a mode. The great jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery didn't know anything but his ear, same with Jimi. countless others. And they're happy and I dig their music, or not.
Both the Gambale and the Grimoire books will not give anyone a brain tumor, but they are two different books, Gambales book is all about application with minimal words and a series of simplifications, in the style of Howard Roberts layouts.
The Grimoire book is simply a nice, vast resource book. Full of 100s of mini studies.
Of the two the Gambale book would be my desert island book.
Also "Sheets of Sound" by Jack Zucker - imo the best book for picking technique with more scale applications from the greats like Shawn Lane and John McLaughlan to ???
Two desert island books.
And then there is the ultimate "Voice Leading for the 21st Century" by Mick Goodrick
my desert island chord study on nuclear steroids.
You're on a desert island with a screwdriver and a hammer, build a fricken shelter.
But don't sit there in the rain (walk over to the tropical side of the island and read the rewards)
All these books could be an entry into music for even a newb that maintains a quiet mind.
If the newb doesn't understand then they must research to get the answer and isn't the internet wonderful for research? Private teachers might be able to help in the research.
But make no mistake, it's the newbs research and study in music, not anyone elses, not the teacher, or internet armchair bandit that should ever say the it should be for you.
So relax, work on a quiet mind and follow your interest, when bored or tired, stop, maybe change interests, just like the cow, go for the greenest patches, 10,000 hrs later you'll be one fat cow.
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