The Christopher Parkening Guitar Method - Volume 1: Guitar Technique [Sheet music]

Christopher Parkening (Author), Jack Marshall (Author), David Brandon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1997

This premier method for the beginning classical guitarist, by one of the world's pre-eminent virtuosos and the recognized heir to the legacy of Andres Segovia, is now completely revised and updated! Guitarists will learn basic classical technique by playing over 50 beautiful classical pieces, 26 exercises and 14 duets, and through numerous photos and illustrations. The method covers: rudiments of classical technique, note reading and music theory, selection and care of guitars, strategies for effective practicing, and much more!

Product Details

• Sheet music: 112 pages
• Publisher: Hal Leonard Corporation; Revised edition (August 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0793585201
• ISBN-13: 978-0793585205
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,994 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #83 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Instruments & Performers

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

113 of 116 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Easy and Fun Method for Learning Classical Guitar, April 25, 2001

By 

hamsterdance (TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Christopher Parkening Guitar Method - Volume 1: Guitar Technique (Sheet music)

It's interesting to have the chance to read what Mr. Parkening considers a productive way to learn classical guitar. I bought this book because I was impressed by the quality of the music compositions within reach of a beginning classical guitarist. I use it as a compliment to Frederick Noad's Solo Guitar Playing 1 method book.

Mr. Parkening introduces each string and it's notation when played open (no pressing on the fret board). From there he gradually introduces more notes and their corresponding position on the staff and fretboard. There are several exercises and studies to reinforce recognition of each note learned and then several short compositions to apply what you've learned to "real" songs. Also from the beginning there are suggestions for practicing the studies and exercises with different finger alternation patterns along with suggestions of when (and which notes) to practice playing rest and/or free strokes. The nice thing is that Mr. Parkening seems not only to be teaching proper technique but also what to listen for and critique yourself so you can continue to improve. As he mentions in the Practicing section, "Always keep in mind it is better to play one piece well than many pieces poorly."

There are some fascinating insights throughout the book into how Mr. Parkening thinks a beginner should approach things such as correct practice, tone production, optimal fingernail shape and attack of the strings, selecting a good classical guitar and it's care. This book also gives the most photos and detailed instruction I've yet seen in any book on EXACTLY how to sit, place your feet and legs, drape/weight your arms and hands in relation to the guitar body and fretboard and correct placement of both the left and right hands and their proper positions. Photos are plentiful although some are better quality than others. My favorites are the antique-ish photos - especially the one of a very young Segovia listening to the elder Miguel Llobet play.

As the back cover says there are 50 solo pieces (some examples: Ode to Joy, In the Hall of the Mountain King, Malaguena, Fur Elise, Jesu:Joy of Man's Desiring) and over 14 duets. He also includes the necessary fundamentals of note reading, beginning music theory of sharps, flats, naturals, music keys, the circle of 5ths, chords, at first, are taught in traditional music notation and also discusses bar chords. Fretboard diagrams showing basic chords (and some bar chords) are found toward the back. All the compositions, duets and exercises are playable in the First Position - that is, they can all be played within the first 4 frets. Occasionally he will include a 5th fret note with instruction on which string to find it. This is fairly uncommon however and is only done when it ends up making the piece easier to play.

There are pages explaining music notation terms as well as a large fretboard diagram toward the back showing each note name on each fret (all the way up to the 12th fret) and it's corresponding position on the staff. There are a number of chromatic scale studies, arpeggio studies, finger technique exercises although I wish there had been more of these included (this is actually my ONLY quibble with Mr. Parkening's book and one he fortunately rectified in vol. 2).

The final section of the book includes supplementary pieces to learn and add to your repertoire. They aren't strictly graded although he does mention that the easier key compositions are first. At this point he mentions you can begin studying Vol. 2 of his Method while still learning and practicing the supplementary pieces from book one.

Overall this is a fine book and I don't think anyone will be disappointed with it. It has some of the nicest selections of musical pieces to learn I've ever seen in any beginning classical guitar study book. The main difference I've noticed between it and Solo Guitar Playing 1 is that the composition pieces ramp up in difficulty faster in Mr. Parkening's method. The reason for this however is that it is shorter than the Noad book. Combine it with Mr. Noad's Solo Guitar Playing 1 and you have an unbeatable combination for learning how to play classical guitar.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just About Perfect, July 16, 2001

By 

James Skrydlak "mostlymozart" (Pella, Iowa) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Christopher Parkening Guitar Method - Volume 1: Guitar Technique (Sheet music)

This does the best job that I have seen of covering everything about starting the classical guitar. Parkening doesn't spend much space on choosing a guitar, but, then, I'd imagine that anybody who buys the book already has a guitar. He does spend lots of space on holding the guitar properly, sitting properly, and positioning both hands properly (I benefited from this last, even though I've been a guitarist for thirty-five years). He goes on to cover tuning and the two basic right-hand strokes.

The music is arranged in a logical order, getting progressively more difficult through the book, including several duets for student and teacher. Every piece is appropriate for a beginner, and no piece involves anything that has not been taught.

The book ends with Mr Parkening's own views on what a musician should try to achieve. Although I do not share his Christian faith, I found his views stimulating and inspiring.

This book is so good that the only negative comment that I have is that it would be even better if spiral bound to lie open on a music stand.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Comprehensive Method Book for Classical Guitar Students, November 21, 1999

By 

Ken Fackler (Tennessee) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Christopher Parkening Guitar Method - Volume 1: Guitar Technique (Sheet music)

The Christopher Parkening Guitar Method, Volume 1, revised 1998, is a comprehensive approach to teaching classical guitar. Written by an accomplished premier classical guitarist, it is not just a collection of exercises and guitar pieces, but includes historical background, basic technique, lots of textual information, photos and a useful appendix of terms. While a few of the photos in the original edition which should have had better lighting are included, this is easily overlooked since many have been added which are of far superior quality. I recommend this text for first time students of classical guitar who will not just learn the rudiments, but beautiful guitar pieces as well. Having said this, there is no substitute for a teacher... don't go it alone!