Customer Reviews

Classical Guitar Answer Book

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

 

 

Having read about the skills of this wonderful musician I was very excited to get my hands on a copy of this book.However, I was disappointed when it arrived.I found nothing inspiring or indeed any more informative than your average "How to..." manual.
I felt that many pages of this book were merely lists I could find free on the internet and the 10 pages of programmes from her recitals seemed a little bit on the cheeky side.I returned this book

This book looks like it was put together over the weekend by shameless promoters. A real disappointment of a book. Very evasive answers, nothing to sink your teeth into and gain any insight from a classical guitartist in the spotlight. A shame that is who the world is watching as the classical guitarist.

In Classical Guitar Answer Book, Sharon Isbin provides a unique book to summarize the practical questions she must be asked all the time. The entire book is written in a Frequently Asked Questions format with most answers taking less than one page.

This is an easy read (one or two sittings) but it is loaded with good advice that could only come from one who has the breadth of performing, playing and teaching experience of Ms. Isbin. All sorts of topics from how to choose a guitar, pack it for travel, get lessons for children, avoid squeaks on the bass strings, playing harmonics, set your concert program to suit the audience, etc. are all discussed in an informal, friendly way that is not too technical for any interested player to grasp. The material is organized by general topic so it does not come at the reader like a grab bag of random subjects.

One of the most useful features of the book is the extensive list of guitar makers, educational programs, music publishers, books and other resources in the back of the book. Those who have tried to build a good list like this know how valuable it can be to have them compiled by an expert, much thanks to her for that.

I do have a couple of criticisms of the book. It is very limited in its discussion of repertoire. I realize lengthy details on topics such as interpretation and sight-reading etc. are beyond the intended scope of the book. But I would love to have the head of the Julliard guitar program give specific repertoire advice or recommended pieces for developing certain abilities at various skill levels. She does recommend beginners start in Renaissance and Classical pieces, but isn't much more specific than this good but limited advice. She spends much of the repertoire section discussing how she has worked with composers to expand the available repertoire. I am interested in that, but more interested in what key pieces of the existing repertoire she considers important for player development and why. She also uses several pages toward the end of the book showing photocopies of her concert programs over the years - there's a little too much of this since the main points about programming were adequately described before these examples. 13% of the book seems excessive for showing program examples. There are a few times these kind of content choices seem self-promoting rather reader edifying - but it is not enough to damage the overall tone of the book which is healthy.

This is a good book and worth the price if you would like a lot of practical everyday tips on being a player and performing from a world class master. Who wouldn't want that ? This is not the book to find advice on details concerning repertoire or anything related to the music itself... Ms. Isbin has done us a good service distilling her years of hard won experience into practical pointers and answers just as if she's telling you in person.

This is just a book of lists and pretty much a waste of time if you're already a serious student. If you're a rank beginner, maybe.....

There's some genuinely useful information in this book, no doubt about it. And it's worth a read for the guitar enthusiast. She's one of the best and knows her stuff. But my goodness, taking up almost a fifth of a book at the end with her reviews, schedules, concert programs, et. al.! It's shameless. One feels they're paying for Sharon Isbin to advertise.

It just was a good buy, since the time I review the book, to the delivery, just great service.

I consider that those previous unfavorable comments to this book don't make it justice. I observe, as good spanish guitar aficionado from many years ago, that its content is perfect and it is full of interesting information for all that persons which are beginning to study this instrument. Information that here is gathered in a single block and that, without this book, the guitarist can take several years in discovering it for himself. This book is written by an expert person that, it has not only deepened in the knowledge of the guitar during many years, but rather also, she has given concerts in big auditories, what it has allowed her to know all the secrets and practical resources about the instrument. It is for this reason that she becomes an authority on this matter and she can give important advises in that field to all the interested ones also. Questions are answered in concise and precise form, and anything is superfluous. Maybe only I lack some illustrative graphic figures in certain topics, but they are well understood with the alone text also. Summarizing, I consider that all beginner classical guitarists should have a copy of this book. Believe me: Look inside and buy it, the investment is worthwhile. You aren't wasting your money!

This book is very thorough,and answers all those little qeustions that are usually overlooked(but are assumed)in most classical guitar instruction books.The book also gives classical guitar education programs and how to contact music institutions in the US and Canada.Sharon Isbin has mastered a technique of guitar playing,and is sharing all the stumbling blocks she has encountered along her way to excellence.For any one new to the guitar or anyone who is striving to better themselves on the guitar,I seriously recommend adding this book to your library.