Learning the Classic Guitar: Part one (Mel Bay Presents) by Aaron Shearer

Learning the Classic Guitar is a new direction in guitar instruction. Many ideas in these books break new ground. In developing this innovative method, Mr. Shearer adhered to the following concepts: 1) How and what students practice is as important as how much they practice. 2) Give information only when it is immediately useful. 3) Start with the easiest skills. 4) Approach challenging skills gradually. Part one focuses on technical development and explains the most efficient approach to study and practice. Part two should go along with part one and it presents the elements of music and procedures for developing ability to sight-read and memorize. It also introduces the visualization concept. Part three teaches the student to form clear and accurate concepts of music expression. It also teaches the guitarist how to perform in public with accuracy and confidence.

This is the book used to introduce students to Classical Guitar technique at most reputable university programs. It is based on decades of research into hand anatomy and guitar virtuosity and is the landmark book on technique–his earlier book (Classic Guitar Technique-Belywn -Mills pub.) is useless for technique information being written prior to Shearer's break-through research and it was THAT book that was panned by Segovia (as mistakenly mentioned in another review), not this (Mel Bay Pub.) one. This one is an absoulte must for any fingerstyle guitarist, classical or steel string. You will improve your playing drastically if you employ its instruction. This, book I, has no music, but crucial instruction on the details of how to move the hands. This book would be as valuable to a long term player who already read music and played advanced pieces as well as to the beginner, its primary target audience.