Product Description

Assuming readers have no prior knowledge, this book offers a clear, easy-to-understand method for learning to play the classical guitar. It presents over 200 exercises composed by the author that clarify particular techniques and musical concepts, as well as transcriptions of essential classical guitar repertoire. Fully illustrated with diagrams and charts, the book covers reading music notation, theory, key signatures, musical terms, memorisation, chords, arpeggios, melody, advanced techniques, playing by ear, ornaments, general musicianship, and improvisation. Designed to help readers become self-sufficient in all aspects of playing, this guide also provides a solid foundation for further technical and musical development. Accomplished guitarists in other styles, including those who do not read music, will find much to enhance their technique and musicianship. Play Classical Guitar honours the instrument's distinguished heritage with a 48-page colour showcase of the finest models, players and composers, and includes an historical overview of the instrument, purchasing advice, and more.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #268744 in Books
• Published on: 2001-07-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Spiral-bound
• 160 pages

About the Author
David Braid is a graduate of London's Royal College of Music with a Master's Degree in Composition. He currently teaches classical guitar, and composes and performs contemporary classical music around the world. Also a music journalist, Braid served as consultant on contemporary music for the Encyclopedia of Music in the 20th Century, and has contributed articles to publications including the Tree of Knowledge Partwork and The Great Composers CD-ROM. He is the winner of the John Longmire Prize for Composition and the Chameleon Composers' Group Prize, both in London, and the Composition Prize for Youth Orchestra in Spain.

Customer Reviews

Good book to get started with
I have been using the book for the past 4 years or so learning classical guitar from scratch. I previously played Electric Guitar a number of years ago so I wasn't a complete beginner in that I already had some of the necessary finger dexterity.

Before buying the book I researched heavily to find the best guide and I wasn't disappointed as the book takes the student very quickly to playing some impressive sounding pieces provided the instruction is followed carefully. The CD helps a great deal in this respect.

However a while back I began to see some flaws in my playing that the book couldn't address (around Section 3 in the book).

1. Playing each piece back at the speed of the recorded CD was very difficult in places and could be quite depressing. I wasn't sure if I should be able to achieve the recorded speed or was setting my expectation too high.

2. I didn't feel I had learned the fingerboard properly and therefore learning any new piece of music was taking an age as I had to constantly work-out what the note was on the fingerboard and learn very small snatches of pieces at a time.

3. My fourth finger hadn't developed very well at all and was very weak. This became apparent when I started trying to play other 'simple' pieces which were all fingered with lots of 4th finger. I felt like I was a complete beginner again.


Now I have managed to start to overcome the above by supplementing with more material but I would imagine unless you are really dedicated to wanting to play the guitar - without a teacher - then you will probably give up by the end of Section 2. This is because this is where the pieces start to get complex but because of the books limitations - the players skill is not where it should be. I did give up playing for over a year for this reason.

My overall impression of the book is that it is a good one to get you started but would recommend supplementing it with a more traditional method to practice technique as it is not nearly sufficient on it's own

Simply excellent
Go for the book..put it on a music stand..learn each section page by page..and amaze yourself..David Braid really knows his subject and it shows..lets hope he does an advanced book.. BRILLIANT..