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You can probably find this same info in the other notes recommended,
but...
I like the Frederic Noad method books. He also has a series of
books for repertoire that are very good. Each one covers a different
musical period, baroque, classical,romantic etc. and the pieces
are graded from easy to difficult.
There are innumerable recordings of classical guitar out these days.
I think they're nice for listening but they're not going to help you
learn to play.
It's really hard to recommend a guitar. From that list it sounds like
you've already done some homework. Pick one that feels comfortable.
It doesn't have to be expensive, just playable.
Lastly, I would start with lessons first. You'll probably progress
faster and learn some proper techniques.
Good luck,
Bob
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I've been using the "Progressive Guitar Method: Book 1". It is the standard
beginner's guitar book except it comes with a tape. The tape is extermely
helpful for me. Otherwise I wouldn't know if I was doing the excercise/song
correctly. Each song is played once with guitar and accompanyment and then
a second time with just accompanyment. This allows you to get the feel of
playing with other instruments.
On the back of the book is a list of other instruction books
with tape. They are 'Progressive':
Lead Guitar
Rythm Guitar
Guitar Method Book 1 : Beginner
Guitar Method Book 2 : Intermediate
Bass Guitar
Fingerpicking Guitar
Classical Guitar Method Book 1
Rock Drumming
Guitar Chords
The addresses, telephones and prices they list are:
Koala Publications
USA - $10.99 (Ca. residents add tax)
PO Box 27
Santa Ana, CA 92702
Phone: (714)546-2743
Australia - $13.99
PO Box 140 Burnside
South Australia 5066
Phone: (08)268-1750
UK and Europe - 5.95 pounds
Music Exchange
Unit 2, Ringway Trading Estate
Shadowmoss Road, Wythenshawe
Manchester M226LX
Phone: (061)436-5110
Please add $1.00 or 50p. postage per item.
Payment by cheque or money order.
I don't know anything more about these instruction books
than what I've written here.
jp
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| I would also check out a method book by Christopher Parkening.
It is good for showing you how to use your fingers and hold the
instrument.
After you learn how to read music basicly, you should learn the
'Diatonic Scales..' by Andres Segovia. These are eaxcersizes that will
develop strength in the hands. Theere used to be a book called 'The
Segovia Technique' by Vladimir Bobri which is a large picture book
demonstrating the use of the hands in various ways.
The traditional methods by Carcassi are used alot for beginners.
There are books of technical excersizes by Tarrega and Pujol you should
look at, althouigh the Pujol books are in Spanish. The music examples
are good excersizes.
For Music the beginners learn the Preludes of Villa-Lobos, the preludes
of Ponce among others, but everyone who learns classical learns these.
I must also say learn the 20 studies for guitar by Fernando Sor,
edited by Segovia. The music is beautiful and played by beginners and
virtuosi alike.
( What editings are : indications showing which finger to use on what
string in both hands, kind of a shorthand tabulature .)
Practice in a day shoukld consist of excersizes ( there are 4 basic
excersizes, scales, slurs, intervals a,d right hand arpeggios ),
etudes, learning new music ( reading music ) and playing pieces.
The advantage of a teacher is a good teacher will force you, to stick
to the notes, watch that your finger form is correct, keep you from
adding interpretations not on the printed page. A great teacher will
have studied ( even if it's only in master calsses ) with people like
Pujol, Segovia, Ghilia and will know where a piece of music has
mistakes ( often it does, more often than you expect! ). They also know
the breadth of the repetiore, that is what music is played by most
people invloved in the serious study of the instrument.
An excellent resource is the Society of the Classical Guitar in New
York City, I don't know the address and wish I had it. They publish an
excellent periodical devoted solely to the classical instrument and
it's music.
If you think you have the integrity to be honest with yourself and what
you are doing then it is not so impossible to learn yourself.
When you buy music, stick to the most famous editors, music edited by
segivia, tarrega, pujol, bream and you won't go wrong. Many of the
lesser known editors really can screw it up, but these may be the only
available printing of a popular piece.
Good Luck.
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re .3
I finally received the guitar books from Koala publications. They
didn't include the tapes, however. I then looked in the different
books for their price lists and every one said something different
about the price of the books. None of them said anything about the
books and tapes being bought separately.
I called the California number for Koala and the person helping me,
Barry, seemed to be amused by the whole thing. When I suggested that
they be consistent in their price lists he said "nobody else has had
problems with it". Finally, he decided that I had sent in too much
for the books alone but not enough for the tapes and books.
If there is any way to avoid buying these publications from Koala
directly, I would highly recommend it. They clearly don't have a
clue what they are doing. If you have no other choice but to buy
from them directly, I would recommend verifying prices with them
before you send money.
jp
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