Basic Classical Guitar Method, Book 1 (Book & CD) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)My background in music was almost non-existent, and I couldn't read music *at all* before buying this book. I bought it because I wanted to have some background before seeking out a classical guitar teacher. My goal is to be a musician and learn about music the right way, not follow some kooky guitar method and play phony versions of pop songs.

Well, this DVD is like having a teacher in the room with you. Almost everything my teacher told me in my first several guitar lessons were addressed in this book and DVD. Tennant doesn't cover every little nuance -- and that's where a teacher comes in -- but this method DOES WORK WELL for the totally rank beginner like myself. Even if you're sitting in a room with a TV and no instructor, you can really learn to play.

This book has kept me very busy playing and practicing for three months at least, and I am not going to be through with it for a while yet. Even when I am done and on to volume 2 I'm sure I'll still be playing pieces from this book for practice.

Best Things: Scott Tennant has a friendly style and he doesn't oversimplify or overcomplicate things. Now that I know a little bit more about learning to play classical guitar, I can appreciate the effort put into making the exercises in this book "musical". Even when you know only a few notes on one string, he has you playing a "first string polka" that sounds like music. Many other books or methods have fingering exercises that go on and on and are not very musical at all. There are a few exercises in this method that have you walking up and down the fretboard in a pedantic way, but these are brief and the material focuses on the "musical" pieces, which is much more fun.

Having the DVD is the best part of this tool. You cannot replace the experience of seeing/hearing/playing along with an experienced player. It teaches you timing and how your notes are "supposed" to sound. You could play all the exercises in this book with a cruddy, twangy tone to your notes and you'd never know it if you didn't have the CD or DVD to measure against. The DVD material along with the book is about to create a revolution in music instruction for the home, I think.

Cons:On the TV it is sometimes hard to represent notes, because staff lines are so thin, on a white background. Maybe my TV stinks, and this would look better on a computer monitor. Most of the time you can tell what the note is, but it is really better to be reading from the book ... the online music does give you a nice crutch though when playing duets with Scott.

And the binding of the book ... why isn't this book spiral bound? The book IS lightweight enough to put on a music stand, but man if it were spiral bound it would be sooo much easier. This is a small nit to pick, but publishers should know this by now. I usually end up photocopying pages out of books and putting them on my music stand, so maybe they figure most people just do that.

A big warning should come on the part of the DVD about re-stringing your guitar. He shows you how to make a single loop around the bridge, and I had a couple of nylon strings slip out of that knot while I was winding the string onto the key. One of these snapped out hard enough to scratch the surface of my guitar, which sucked. I then started twisting them a couple of times at the bridge so they wouldn't slip, but I don't know why he doesn't address this or mention the possibility.

There really aren't any more cons. This is a great product. Eventually you'll need an instructor but this book really will stand in for an instructor for your first few months of playing.

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Product Description:
From Scott Tennant-the best-selling author of Pumping Nylon-this fun and friendly method starts at the very beginning, teaching the anatomy of a guitar, how to choose and maintain your instrument, proper seating position, how to hold the guitar, and efficient hand positions and techniques. The step-by-step approach continues with lessons on how to read music, right- and left-hand basics, notes on the fretboard, accidentals and the chromatic scale. Photographs, drawings and personal tips from this world-renowned performer make learning easy!

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Solo Guitar Playing: Bk 2 (with CD) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is the book I started with and I'm very glad I did! Noad is probably the most accessible guitar method author around. I'm self-taught and believe me there are many ways you can go wrong by being your own teacher. If you like the dummies genre of computer books you'll love this method. He doesn't assume you know anything to start with or try to impress with his advanced mastery. But he does have an intimate knowledge of what a beginner needs to know and how to impart that knowledge. His books one and two are an excellent example of what separates a great guitarist and teacher from just a great guitarist. But you need to read and re-read the text very carefully. There are subtle points, which if glossed over will cause untold pain and cursing later on. But it's all right there in the book. If you heed his advice and study twice as carefully as if you had an instructor who could catch those mistakes then you'll be ok!

All these guitar methods (including this one) have one glaring deficiency: Lack of enough and varied practice material. Maybe I'm a little dense but classical guitar is not easy. It takes time and a LOT of practice! One can only repeat the same few lines of notation so many times without getting bored to tears. So I solved the problem by getting just about every method book known to man. After the first couple of books it starts to flow and become fun! Each book goes over the same concepts in a little different way with of course different practice pieces. The flaws of one book are cancelled by another and it becomes exciting as you move faster and faster through each text. What was once arduous becomes smooth and pleasant! The Carcassi book is great once you are a little more adept. It's purportedly for beginners but is rather dry and pedantic and a tough slog if you're just starting. There's some great stuff in there however if you already have the basics of notation down. I found it very useful for learning the higher positions. The Christopher Parkening books are great. He starts right out and then keeps going with very easy, pleasant sounding practice pieces, which helps keep your enthusiasm high. But like most others (unlike Noad) he leaves out small but crucial details that leave one scratching ones head or throwing projectiles. But if you've done Noad first you just say AH! I know what that is! Jason Waldron is also good and straight forward, easy to understand. (Although I wish he would come out with his second method book already!) He has a whole gaggle of songbooks (6) filled with familiar folk tunes, some classical and including CDs. They are very pleasant, easy, confidence building practice pieces. But I prefer Baroque. Noad does a very excellent book of Baroque pieces. He also has a Renaissance book with some very pretty tunes. What a joy to read and play such beautiful music from hundreds of years ago! It's definitely worth the work!

Now, to end on a bit of a heretical note. I had to teach myself because I really don't like the sound of nylon strings on the classical guitar! I wanted to play baroque music on an electric or steel string acoustic guitar. Just like each person plays every piece a little differently and with his or her own interpretation, I wanted to be able to shape my own personal sound with electronics. Besides, I just like the sound of steel! So, I use a flat pick to replace the thumb and steel finger picks on the last three fingers. As an added bonus you don't have to fuss with all that fingernail growing, filing business! I like it and it works pretty well although I still haven't quite figured out how to do harmonics... but I'm working on it! Who knows, you might want to try it also? So, I hope you come to enjoy the classical guitar as much as I do. Persevere through the initial pain and you will never be sorry you did!

Addendum: Since writing this review, I have gone back to the Classical Guitar for playing Classical music. A good Classical Guitar has such subtlety of expression and range of expressiveness that just can't be coaxed out of a steel instrument. My Martin acoustic now lives for chords, at which it is stellar! But I still use the flat pick/steel finger pick method. I can curl my fingers up and play chords and lead riffs or unfold them and fingerpick. It's very versatile and I still like it a lot. My electric is for gouging out acid rock riffs with a little Baroque sprinkled in. But the one which most often brings a tear to my eye is that Classical Guitar.

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This second volume of the popular classical guitar method features instruction, graded exercises, practice studies, and a survey of the guitar repertoire. Volume Two develops technique, sightreading, and includes an advanced repertoire of thirty works.

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21ST CENTURY GUITAR METHOD - Level 2 - Book Only (Warner Bros. Publications 21st Century Guitar Course) Review

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(More customer reviews)This book is the follow up to Method 1 and has some interesting fingering, chord, and strum techniques. The tablatures and notations are clearly printed and the exercises are fun. I would definitely recommend this to any beginning and / or novice player.

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Product Description:
Book 2 includes music theory, the keys of C, G and D, exploring the neck, second position, syncopation, rhythm and lead guitar techniques, cut time, solo guitar style, and pop and classical songs like: Fur Elise * Margaritaville * Romanza * Classical Gas. Method Book available in three levels, as is the Theory, Song Trax, Rock Shop, and Guitar Ensemble books. Teacher's editions also available. Level One of the Method, Rock Shop, and Theory books are available in English and Spanish. Video available for Method and Rock Shop.

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21st Century Guitar Method 1 (Warner Bros. Publications 21st Century Guitar Course) Review

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(More customer reviews)I really grooved on this book and the CD that came along with it.The lessons were easy to understand even for a total beginner like I was.Lots of practice and going over the lessons again and again will teach the beginner a TON and help improve the skills of an existing player.

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Product Description:
This innovative, best-selling guitar method by Aaron Stang contains all styles of music including rock, pop, folk and classical. Tablature is used as an aid in learning new material, and suggested accompaniment parts enable the teacher and student to play together. The unique Rock Workshop sections teach rock rhythm and lead guitar styles and are correlated to the Guitar Rock Shop books. Available with or without a play-along recording. Book 1 includes reading music in first position, all basic chords, strumming, eighth note rhythms, power chords, the blues form, basic rock rhythm, guitar techniques, and pop songs such as: Surfin' Safari * Old Time Rock and Roll * and more! Method available in three levels, as is the Theory, Song Trax, Rock Shop, and Guitar Ensemble books. Teacher's editions also available. Level One of the Method, Rock Shop, and theory books are available in English and Spanish. Video available for Method and Rock Shop.

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Complete Study of Tremolo for the Classic Guitar Review

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(More customer reviews)This is the perfect book for developing classical guitar tremolo technique. I'm very happy with it.

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One of the most extensive studies of the tremolo technique.

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21st Century Guitar Method 1: Complete Edition (Warner Bros. Publications 21st Century Guitar Course) Review

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(More customer reviews)I am a beginner guitarist and I do feel this book is very clear. I like it and would love to have more by Aaron Stang.

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This edition combines the complete 21st Century Guitar Method 1 with its correlated workbook, Guitar Theory 1, and 5 complete songs from Guitar SongTrax 1. A CD containing all the music examples and complete instruction isincluded.

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Scale Pattern Studies For Guitar, Supplement 3: Classic Guitar Technique Review

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(More customer reviews)This book is awesome. It was first introduced to me by an accomplished classical player, but I'm a metalhead and I love it. It covers all the keys, all over the neck, with lots of great sight reading exercises and drills that are designed (and well designed) by a guitar player for the guitar. Also, there's text about how to go about playing the book, and I can testify personally that if you follow his method, you will quickly learn a lot about the guitar. This is not some hackish "we have cataloged every possible combination of notes on the guitar and therefore we are awesome" book. This is quality advice and teaching from a real player. I have played guitar for over 15 years, in lots of different environments, including studying classical guitar in college with professionals and touring with death metal bands. I can't think of a serious player that I wouldn't recommend this book to (and most of them know about it already).

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Scale pattern studies.

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39 Progressive Solos for Classical Guitar: Book 1 (Thirty-Nine Progressive Solos for Clissical Guitar) Review

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(More customer reviews)I had learned about 4 or 5 chords for the guitar but wanted to learnto play real classical guitar.I bought this book and a guitar without any knowledge of reading music or playing.And about half an hour after starting with this book I could pick out the first song.Within weeks I had learned 6 fantastic classical guitar songs!
The book progresses perfectly for a beginner and each song brings a new challenge that is easy to master.The music is SO EASY to read using the tablature notation.It is a must have if you are learning on your own.
I recommend this book to anyone who has wanted to learn to play the classical guitar but has been frustrated by hard lessons or overly advanced teachers.Or just scared of the daunting challenge of learning what seems to be a difficult instrument.

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39 outstanding classical guitar solos arranged with tablature for the first time. Includes: Bouree * Lagrima * Six Pavans * Canarios * Tarelton's Resurrection * Bach's B Minor Sarabande * and more.

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Sor's Method for the Spanish Guitar Review

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(More customer reviews)As a previous reviewer stated, this book is probably best for it's historic value, or for those who want to delve more deeply into Sor's teachings.This is *not* the book for you if you are interested in current or conventional classical guitar instruction, but Sor wasn't a conventional teacher or student.Sor created this method to instruct his pupils *his* way, to play *his* music (in fact, Sor did not believe that his music *could* be played using conventional instruction).

If you love Sor's music, you'll enjoy this book.It's not for everyone, but it's a great addition to any classical guitarist's collection, even if only for its historical perspective.

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Product Description:
Known as "the Beethoven of the guitar," the 19th-century composer Ferdinand Sor is acclaimed for his many etudes, fantasies, and minuets, which systematize the instrument's technical and expressive resources. Suitable for players at every level, this manual concisely illustrates every aspect of interpretation with text, diagrams, and music.

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A Treasury of Classical Guitar Repertoire Review

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(More customer reviews)I am a beginning guitarist and found this collection of classical pieces to be easy to read and use.The selections range from easy to difficult pieces, from medieval to contemporary, so there is something for every level.

At $10, its a great price and I recommend getting it

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A fantastic collection of 48 classical guitar pieces in standard notation and tab:Adelita (Mazurka) * Allegro Spiritoso * Bianco Fiore * Bourree in E Minor * Bourree * Capriccio * Captain Digorie Piper's Galliard * Dowland's Galliard * Espanoleta * Estudio * Etude in E Minor * Gavotte I and II (from the 6th Cello Suite) * Gigue * Gigue * Greensleeves * Gymnopedie No. 1 * Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring * Kemp's Jig * La Volta * Lagrima * Las Folias de Espana * Lord Willoughby's Welcome Home * Menuetto * Menuetto (from Sonata Op. 22) * Minuet * Minuet in G * Mistress Winter's Jump * Mrs. Nichols' Almain * Packington's Pound * Pavana * Prelude * Prelude * Prelude and Allegro * Recuerdos de la Alhambra * Rondo * Rujero * Sarabande * Sarabande * Se io m'accorgo * Spanish Romance * Study in a Minor * Study No. 6 * Study No. 2 * Study No. 5 * Study, Op. 60, No. 3 * Study, Op. 60, No. 7 * Theme and Variations * Vaghe belleze et bionde treccie d'oro vedi che per ti moro.

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The Classical Guitar Book - A Complete History (Softcover) Review

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(More customer reviews)Though I like the book, the highlights are more about the luthiers and not so much on the quality of the guitars they make.The book is layed out in a chronological order, and focuses on just one luthier and guitar per year.. This is confusing, as many luthiers produce guitars across 40,50 even 60 years.So, this approach doesn't really work for me.

The book could have benefited from a comparison of major achievements introduced by each luthier, and focused on broad comparisons of different guitars.It instead focuses on the personalities of the luthiers.

If the reason you want to purchase the book is to help you find a concert guitar, this book will provide a good reference to the major luthiers operating today.However, if you are looking to find distinguishing features about the guitars, you will be hard pressed to do so, as the book provides just a few tidbits of information in that regard.

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Offering essays by the worldÃ-s top experts in a full-color, coffee-table quality book, this is the first work to tell the complete story of the classical guitar and its repertoire, players and makers - from its 19th century European roots to modern international interpretations. This handsome softcover volume features lavish photography of classical guitars made by the best luthiers in the world. Additional essays cover use of the classical guitar in pop muisc, different playing and teaching techniques, the collectorsÃ- market, and the science of the guitar. It also features profiles of legendary artists such as AndrÂŽs Segovia, Julian Bream and John Williams, plus a full discography, a glossary, an index, a bibliography, and a guitar measurement chart.

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Basic Classical Guitar Method, Book 2 (Book & Cd) Review

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(More customer reviews)Just like Scott Tennant's "Pumping Nylon" book and DVD, this series (more about this later) is a different take on the traditional self instructional series from luminaries such as Shearer, Noad, Parkening, et.al. Books 1 & 2 in Tennant's series roughly approximate the ground covered in book 1 of the others, albeit with less repetitious studies and practice material.The technical basics of learning to play the guitar are briefly covered in Book 1 and it is apparently Tennant's implied recommendation that you acquire "Pumping Nylon" and the Pumping Nylon repertoire books to augment your studies througout.Though significantly more expensive than just purchasing Noad's two "Solo Guitar" books, Tennant's approach works just as well.

After one get's the basics of first position note reading down the author introduces studies from Sor and others to acquaint the student and his fingers with just what's involved in classical guitar technique.The slim volumes, while certainly not a monetary value, pay dividends in the psychological arena of making early learning more manageable by reducing the complexity of the instructional material and still getting the ideas across. Most guitar students are instructional book junkies anyway and anything that can lower the intimidation factor, whether one is self taught and tutored by a qualified teacher, is well worth the price of a few more book/cd combos.

As a matter of fact, my only real criticism of the books (1&2) is that they don't represent good dollar value for the amount of material contained in them, particularly when compared to the breadth of material covered in Noad's excellent series.However, if it makes the learning process less of a grind and more "fun" then it's money well spent.And this approach is not to fault Scott Tennant, but rather to place blame if you will, at the foot of the publisher, National Guitar Workshop.Every method they teach incorporates multiple volumes to cover material offered elsewherein singular, more comprehensive packages, but then again, so does Mel Bay and Hal Leonard.Finally, my only other criticism is that this method series is eventually to incorporate Volumes 3, 4 & 5 which to the best of my knowledge HAVE NOT BEEN PRODUCED YET and my efforts to ascertain that they will from the publisher have been futile.So buyer beware.

My advice for most beginning classical guitar students would be to acquire the excellent Noad series for classical guitar and invest in a few beginning lessons with a qualified teacher who specialises in classical guitar technique, then decide if you want to continue on your own or prefer the teacher/student relationship. If you decide to self instruct (or self destruct) then Tennant's series represents a worthwhile investment in user friendly instruction.Just insure the follow on volumes are available or you'll have to switch horses in mid stream.

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From Scott Tennant-the best-selling author of Pumping Nylon-comes book 2 of this amazing classical guitar method. Book 2 continues where book 1 leaves off by introducing more essential classical guitar techniques such as the rest stroke, block chords, and how to shape and use the right-hand fingernails. Lots of helpful photographs, drawings and personal tips from this world-renowned performer and educator make learning easy!

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The Most Beautiful Classical Melodies: for Flute and Guitar Review

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(More customer reviews)When I saw the large collection of good songs in the book I thought I was set forever as far as searching for great music to play. Although the book includes the titles, the arrangements are rather simple and are not full sounding on the guitar. I am the guitarist here and I don't feel inclined to play from this book much at all ever. The arrangements are short and washed down for begginers. Stay away I advise you. A much better choice is classics for flute and guitar by Alfred Pub.

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24 works arranged for flute and guitar, including: Air on the G String (Bach) * Caro mio ben (Giordani) * Intermezzo (Mascagni) * Processional (Handel) * Rondeau (Mouret) * Trumpet Tune (Clarke) * Waltz of the Flowers (Tchaikovsky) * and more.

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Franz Wohlfahrt - 60 Studies, Op. 45 Complete: Books 1 and 2 for Violin (Schirmer's Library of Musical Classics) Review

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(More customer reviews)Every violinist should know these studies, or something just like them. The first 30 studies are in first position.

Wohlfahrt's Violin studies work on almost every aspect of violin technique. If you are having a issue with your technique, find a lesson that works that same issue. Even the lessons that look simple have a lesson to be learned. The first lesson is a good example. Easy enough if you read music, but look at the many bowing variations.

These exercises are excellent, but you should have an instructor patiently helping you work though them. Take you time. Get it right. Don't rush. There is no audio CD recording available, but if you are having trouble with one of these studies, email me your concern. I'll try to help. No cost. I enjoy working on these.

[...]

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The Wohlfahrt Op. 45 Studies are a mainstay of violin study. Book 1 (50256580) and Book 2 (50256590) are bestsellers in the Schirmer Library. The entire set, Books 1 and 2 combined, is available in this new complete publication, value priced at only $7.95!

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Finger Style Pop Classics Review

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(More customer reviews)I was unable to "search inside!" this book so I had to assume it would be of the same high caliber as the other books by Charles Duncan. The description of this book is VERY MISLEADING because I assumed that it was a book of SOLO music.It was nearly pure DUETS.Since it is not possible (yet) to view the contents of this book, I will tell you what's inside.
1.) Let It Be -DUET
2.) When I Need You - DUET
3.) Light My Fire - DUET
4.) Chim Chim Cher-ee - DUET
5.) Summertime - DUET
6.) All My Loving - DUET
7.) Try To Remember - DUET
8.) D0-Re-Mi (from the Sound of Music) - DUET
9.) Yesterday - DUET
10.) One Note Samba - DUET
11.) Eleanor Rigby - SOLO!
12.) Meditation - DUET
13.) Feelings - DUET
14.) A Day In The Life Of A Fool (Manha De Carnaval) - DUET
15.) Get Me To The Church On Time - DUET
16.) You Needed Me - SOLO!

And there you have it!All duets except for 2 solos.The songs start off extremely easy and gradually get more difficult as you progress through the book.But if you don't have a duet partner this book will be nearly useless.I was wanting a book of SOLO pop classics so I can't use this book.And besides, most are too simple.But, if you are looking for a book of easy pop classic duets, then this is the book for you.It is written in standard notation with no TAB but the notation is very simple.Both guitar parts are clearly defined in separate staves.

The reason I'm giving it only 2 stars is because of the severity of the misleading of the product.I can't find anywhere in it's description where it says it's a book of duets.Not even on the cover does it indicate this.

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Product Description:
A cross-referenced supple-ment to Method Book One of A Modern Approach To Classical Guitar. As students progress in Book One, pop classics like 'Yesterday' and 'You Needed Me' are available to encourage students and to reinforce learning.

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Parkening and the Guitar - Volume 2: Guitar Solo (Guitar Collection) Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this specifically for the transcription of The Mysterious Barricades. I have learned about 3/4 of it and gone over it with my guitar teacher. First of all, it is written in open C major position, not the D major position version that everyone on Youtube seems to be playing, or playing with a capo. The real version I was interested in learning was Andrew York's rendition of it in Eb major, on his Perfect Sky album, but since no sheet music for this seems to exist, I've looked for others. Playing the version presented here with a capo on the third fret puts it in Eb major, and sounds pretty close to York's version.

As for the fingerings and notations, Parkening claims that he has made no compromises in the demand for technique here, and he wasn't kidding. Some of the fingerings are very awkward, and the fact that he plays this at the practical equivalent of be-bop speed in his own recording of it doesn't help. I have found that some of the fingerings actually don't sound any more convincing than easier ones that use the open high e string instead of the b string to make sustained notes happen with the e at the top of the treble clef, if you pick them gracefully with your nails. Nevertheless, this is definitely an advanced piece. Though listed on the net in various places as intermediate, to make it sound *good*, especially at a realistic tempo, is an Olympic feat for the left hand and a coordination etude for the right. The cover also says "Virtuoso Music for the Guitar," and that should be an indication.

There are no markings for picking hand patterns, but my default approach was to use P, I and M almost exclusively. My guitar teacher suggested I make a conscious effort to start using the A finger more for the upper voice in the rondo section, and the picking patterns sound better and are much more practical this way.

I wish I could give a review of the Debussy pieces presented here, but I haven't even looked at them. If you don't mind learning Barricades in the C major position, this book is just as expensive as the single sheet music piece for it from GSP, and here you get all the other pieces in this collection. As an added bonus, Parkening's notorious evangelist ramblings are absent.

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Product Description:
Nine more selections for the advanced guitarist: Clair de Lune (Debussy) * Giga (Visee) * The Girl with the Flaxen Hair (Debussy) * Gymnopedie Nos. I-III (Satie) * The Little Shepherd (Debussy) * The Mysterious Barricades (Couperin) * Sarabande (Debussy).

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Sight Reading for the Classical Guitar, Level IV-V" Review

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(More customer reviews)I teach classical guitar and have found this book to be one of those "rare jewels" I sometimes am fortunate to come upon.This has to be one of the best books for understanding how to read classical guitar music notation, learning how to play up the neck in higher positions, phrasing, familiar and less frequently used tempo terms such as "Placidamente" (peacefully), and "Giocoso" (playfully). It also contains some excellent rhythm exercises and much, much more.It does not begin at the beginner's level but starts off on the very first page with intervals of a tenth, chord reading, and rhythmic reading in two voices.Every page is absolutely loaded with useful information and exercises that will make you slow down and really think about what you are doing and why.I cannot say enough good things about this book and it holds a very cherished place among my many other music books.I use it frequently to the point that many of the pages are now a bit worn-looking, but if you want to really become not just a good guitarist, but a great one, this book will definitely help you advance to those higher levels of musicality most guitarists never go.

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Daily sight reading material with emphasis on interpratation, phrasing, form, etc.

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