Reviewed by Shawn Bradshaw
(2006, Author and writer for Cyberfret.com)
"The Principles of Correct Practice for Guitar" by Jamie Andreas is an invaluable resource for any student of the guitar. After reading a sentence like that, I know all of you are proceeding in a calm and orderly fashion to GuitarPrinciples.com to order your copy of this revolutionary book. For those who were not convinced by my opening statement, read on.There are literally hundreds of books currently available on how to play guitar. And as a student of the guitar and a professional guitar teacher for the last 20+ years, I have certainly read a good number of them. Some are valuable additions to your home library, and others only have value as kindling for your next campfire. "The Principles" is a book unlike any other I have read, and holds a unique status in my library.
"The Principles of Correct Practice for Guitar" is not a method book in the traditional sense. You will not find scales, chord charts or licks of any kind. But you will find a book filled with insight and exercises to help you overcome common pitfall of hand position and muscle tension. Issues that lead to incorrect practice, and are detrimental to your progress as a guitarist.
The material in the book is broken down into 3 categories: Understandings, Tools, and Exercises. Understanding helps identify a problem area, often one you might not have thought about. Tools are the solutions to these problems, and the Exercises give practical ways to incorporate the Tools into your practice routine.
Jamie Andreas is a gifted writer and music educator, and has the unique ability to analyze the problems that plague guitar players and break them down into their core components. This book will help you prepare your body and mind for the journey of learning to play the guitar, and is required reading for any serious student of the instrument.
About Shawn Bradshaw:
Shawn Bradshaw has a degree in Jazz Composition from Boston's Berklee College of Music, and has taught guitar privately for over 20 years. Shawn has written multiple books and writes for and runs Cyberfret.com, a large site of free online guitar lessons and articles.
