Customer Reviews

Celtic Guitar (Acoustic Masters)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I love it because it is thorough and precise. The tab is accurate (it isn't always with some books) and the music notation complete. There is even a key at the top of the page to give you the tuning if it is altered. The tutorial, while sounding a little sterile is very clear and extremely well executed. Other reviewers, I believe, are understating the level of difficulty somewhat. Having studied classical guitar, I found the pieces here well within reach, but I find it a stretch to say that they would be aproachable by a beginner, even an advanced one. Now, why I hate it: From reading Weiser's (the author) bio I learned that he is a classically-trained guitarist only a few degrees separated from Segovia himself (impressive)and that his intention with his arrangements of Celtic music is to foster greater acceptance of it in classical circles. That's a noble enough cause, but when I reflect upon the arrangements here I have to say that some of them are almost too Baroque-sounding for my finger-picked, steel-strung and down-tuned taste. If, for example, you were looking for a John Renbourne or Martin Simpson-type of experience with this book, you may be disappointed. I think not, though. Predispositions aside, his version of Jock O'Hazelden is very nice and will fall quickly under your fingers. His Morrison's Jig is spot-on how a fiddle tune should sound and his Carrickfergus is richly harmonized. I've returned to this book again and again. If you want to learn some Celtic music for guitar, the sheer volume of material contained here makes it worth the investment.

As I've been teaching myself to play the guitar over the past two years, I've purchased and used many books of music. I've found that Celtic music is pleasurable for me to play. This is my favorite music book so far. It is very well done. There is a nice variety of songs, slow and fast, happy and sad. One of the pleasures of this music is the emotion felt in playing certain selections.

The range of difficulty is from fairly easy to moderately hard. This is a book that can help you grow in skill while having fun and making a joyful noise. I appreciate that every song has both notation and tablature. Most of the pieces are in standard tuning. Many are in drop D tuning and there is a section of DADGAD songs.

I don't think that the author(s) or editor(s) are credited, which is a shame because I'd like to buy more books from the same person or team.

An excellent collection of Celtic tunes comprise this book/cd set. It is not a "method" or "how-to-play" celtic guitar book but if you're looking for fingerstyle celtic repertoire this is a great place to start. Most pieces are played with standard or drop D tuning but 6 use DADGAD tuning. They all should be within reach of any advanced beginner to intermediate guitarist as many are played within the first four frets - some move higher up the neck and one piece reaches up to the 12th fret. For those who prefer tablature each instrumental is given in both tab and standard notation. The cd helps insure the player is interpreting the written music as the author meant. Overall the selection of instrumentals is high - everything from reels, jigs, airs, waltzes, marches and hornpipe to arrangements of O'Carolan tunes are here. Definitely a two-thumbs up.

I'm a guitar teacher

The book is not for begginers but if you have a good right hand technic

and reading tabs or and notes this is a great book with wonderful irish tunes.

most of the tunes are in standart tunning and some in drop D and some in special tunning.

some of the tunes sounds like a classical pieces not so irish but beautiful on their own right.

the notes are an exact transcription of the wonderfull CD.

any one who buy this book and learn it good would have a great recital to perform with. buy this book cause this author is a great musician and teacher!

This book has excellent arrangements for the guitar regarding Celtic music. It also enjoyable to play, fingerings are realistic and not impossible to play like some other arrangements I have came across over the years.

Most of the other reviewers have touched on the high points of this book and CD package, so I won't tread over that ground again. I would like to point out a disadvantage, at least from my perspective.

Although this book has an excellent selection of arrangements, and the tablature is, overall, quite accurate, the CD which is included leaves something to be desired.

When I'm learning a piece, I prefer to do so by working note for note between the tabs and the source material. Unfortunately, the author has for some inexplicable reason chosen to embellish the recorded pieces by performing them in duet with a bass guitar.

While this makes for a pleasant listening experience, it is less than ideal for learning the arrangements, as it's often hard to separate what the thumb is doing from what the bass is doing. There isn't even an option to use balance controls to dampen the volume of the accompaniment.

That in itself is enough for me to remove stars from a piece would otherwise be 5 star quality.

I'm a classical guitarist beginning to explore some Celtic steel-string, and this book was a great way to start. Good fingerings and really enjoyable arrangements. The CD is just a MIDI playback of the arrangements which was disappointing. Still giving it 5 stars because I wasn't counting on the CD.

This has to be one of the best deals for any guitarist seeking to learn some arrangements of celtic guitar. Forty songs laid out in clear audio (CD) and tab. The arrangements are simple but effective. One reviewer criticized that they may be a little too classical sounding or sterile. Doesn't matter IMO. Learn them and then play them in your own style. (Or as Bill Monroe is alleged to have said, "Learn everything the other fella can do so that ya can play it just like him. Then, don't play that."

As for the reviewer who complained about a bass guitar being added, it is DEFINITELY the bass line of Weiser himself playing solo arrangements of the songs. Nothing added.

Buy it, try it

I initially set out to find more sources of music for a different style of playing than I am used to. I would say if you are just starting out this is not the book for you to start on. Having the CD to verify that what you play sounds similar to what you here is extremely helpful. The amount of material in the book is enormous for the price, and provides a decent variety with regards to types of celtic songs (jig, hornpipe, etc.).

Considering the level required to play it, the amount of material provided, and the extras (CD, little anecdotes) this book comes off with a great amount of knowledge to impart. And, will challenge you as well as expand you music library.