Customer Reviews

Acoustic Masters Series: Mark Hanson's Fingerstyle Wizard -- ^The Wizard of Oz} for Solo Guitar

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Mark Hanson has done a fine job of arranging the original orchestrations for fingerstyle guitar. Some of it is approachable by the advanced beginner; intermediate guitarists should find their efforts rewarded with a fun little repetoire which offers room for musical expression. (There are some fairly tricky harmonics.) The more advanced guitarist can develop a suite with much charm and a great deal of humor.

Mark's study notes anticipate most technical problems the student will encounter. It would have been helpful if they were printed with each piece instead of in their own section. As usual, the CD is a great study aid. CDs with music books are the greatest thing since the pull tab. Oh, and I wish they'd printed Yip Harburg's wonderful lyrics somewhere. In TAB and standard notation.

I agree with the previous reviewer, and would emphasize that these are not beginner's arrangements, either in tab or notes. That said, they are terrific fingerpicking versions. The real wizard is Mark Hanson for allowing guitarists to share in this magical score.

I've been playing guitar for many yeas and am fairly advanced, but am just really getting in to fingerstyle. I saw this book and had to get it. "Wizard" tunes are instantly recognizable the world over and a sure crowd pleaser. But I was left a bit disappointed with Hanson's arrangements. With a few exceptions, they are too straightforward and aren't as warm as I'd like them to be. There is a lot of space left in some of the arrangements that can leave the listener feeling flat. The author states in the preface that he only had a few weeks to arrange and record everything; I think he would have benefitted from some more time to let the arrangements really come together and to give these treasures the care they deserve.