Reviewed by David Grimes of Soundboard Magazine
(Volume XXXI No.4 Issue, 2006)
I had purchased the first edition of this book about a year ago, and I found it to be a fine compendium of useful advice. I have recommended it highly in my Guitar Pedagogy class.This is not a guitar method per se, but rather a treatise on correct technique and productive practice. It is advertised as “the Perfect Start for Beginners and the Answers to the Problems of Players.” Most beginners would not have the patience to read and apply all the instructions here, but it would be an excellent supplement to any other method book, and it is enormously useful for teachers.
Much of the information is similar to what many of the best teachers tell their students, and having it all in print in a clear and usable format is most advantageous. Even if a teacher says the same basic things, he or she is likely to find them described here in different words that may be just right for many students. (We’re always trying to find new ways of describing correct free strokes, for instance, with images that a student can remember and visualize at home. One of my students found that what worked for him was trying to “tuck the note up his sleeve.”)
In addition to classical technique, there are also sections on plectrum usage. The organization of the text is thoughtful, and the presentation clear and concise. All the advice has been tested in practical use. The new edition has been revised and somewhat expanded.
Most guitarists would benefit from reading this book and using it to examine their own techniques and practice habits, even if only to reinforce what they do well. It will be especially useful for teachers of students at all levels.
