Mel Bay Complete Sor Studies for Guitar [Paperback]

Fernando Sor (Author), David Grimes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 11, 1994

The guitar studies of Fernando Sor (1778-1839) have long been valued highly among the indispensable elements of a guitarist's training. A number of prominent virtuosi attribute a large portion of their development to the diligent study of these works. Sor's studies address an impressive array of technical and musical topics, including proper left-hand fingering, training of the right hand, interval and chord formations, scales, arpeggios, repeated notes, ligados, barring, natural harmonics, control of note duration, balance of melody versus accompaniment, and the handling of contrapuntal voices. A careful study of these pieces will lay the groundwork for a solid technique and allow the guitarist to build the control necessary for the expression of his or her musical concepts. In preparing this edition David Grimes worked with Sor's original publications, but incorporated some alterations that appear in those studies that Napoleon Coste chose to include in his Methode complete pour la Guitarre par Ferdinand Sor. Furthermore, Mr. Grimes has corrected misprints, modernized the notation and rectified some inconsistencies. Finally, some developments in technique since Sor's day have been incorporated in this edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David Grimes began studying classical guitar at age 20 (while a mathematics major at Cal Tech) after hearing a Segovia record. He has been a music faculty member at Redlands University, Cal Arts, Southern California Conservatory, California State University's Los Angeles and Long Beach campuses, and at California State University, Fullerton. Mr. Grimes has served as president of the Guitar Foundation of America. He is a frequent contributor to Soundboard Journal and Classical Guitar Magazine, and is review editor and principal music reviewer for Soundboard

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Mel Bay Publications (January 11, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1562229478
• ISBN-13: 978-1562229474
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #302,651 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great collection for the classical guitar student, September 2, 2004

By 

Syd Logan (Carlsbad, CA USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Mel Bay Complete Sor Studies for Guitar (Paperback)

Fernando Sor was a prolific composer for the classical guitar in the 18th century. His popularity led him to compose a large body of instructional etudes and studies. As opposed to other composers of his time that also produced instructional material, Sor wrote first for musicality, second for instruction -- these pieces are therefore very approachable for the beginning guiarist, yet stand on their own musically.

Because these pieces are musically interesting, several CD compilations containing the various Opuses in this book are available from online merchants; search for Fernando Sor and you are sure to find them with a bit of effort. For me at least, it is very valuable to be able to hear what a work sounds like before I sit down and try to learn it.

Fingerings follow those recommended by Sor with some adjustments. In some cases, I have found need to alter the recommendations but overall the annotations are well-placed and very helpful.

One of the best features of this compilation is that the book is spiral bound, it lays nice and flat on a music stand without need for clips to hold the pages down -- I wish all music books were published this way, it is so much easier to work with.

I've been playing from this exact book for several years and it has brought me countless hours of enjoyment. For a few years, it (along with Giuliani's Exercises) comprised the bulk of my classical music training under the supervision of a teacher.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Book!, December 4, 2008

By 

Loveguitar (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: Mel Bay Complete Sor Studies for Guitar (Paperback)

Every time I open this book I get another rush of appreciation for Fernando Sor, and another glimpse of his brilliance. The man knew what he was doing. These "studies" do a wonderful job of developing competent classical guitar playing, but he also was a genius composer. These tunes are beautiful and many worth playing in recitals.

No. 4 is a great study. The guitarist has to play in the key of C minor which has 3 flats to keep up with, plus the rhythmic challenge is superb. Again, Sor clearly knew what he was trying to accomplish with this piece. I love playing this piece myself just to keep my counting and flat-reading in condition. I don't necessarily think that this book progresses consistently from easy to more difficult pieces (imho), as some easier pieces come after some some rather difficult pieces. But nonetheless, this book is a treasure trove of delightful and very technically helpful, pieces. I teach classical guitar and will suggest this book to my students.

All pieces are printed VERY clearly on quality paper, and are extremely well notated giving very good fingering suggestions. There is NO TAB so you will have to be able to read standard notation. The book is spiral bound so it easily stays open on the music stand - really love that!

I use this book mainly to practice my sight-reading skills, but have found some jewels that I will commit to memory because they are so beautiful. I am very pleased with this book.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent resource for guitar students, September 24, 2005

By 

S. Chiang "Rhetoricboy" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Mel Bay Complete Sor Studies for Guitar (Paperback)

Grimes has complied an excellent and usable resource for classical guitarists. As a true teacher of guitar, Grimes, divides his book into practical and progressive sections from beginner to advanced. Grimes also uses his book in conjunction with Pujol's Guitar School to hone a student's understanding of theory and technique.