A Modern Approach to Classical Guitar - Composite (Books 1, 2 and 3)(book & 3 CD'S) [Plastic Comb]

Charles Duncan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1997

Now Available With CDs! This multi-volume method was developed to allow students to study the art of classical guitar within a new, more con-temporary framework. For private, class or self-instruction. Book One features an all-new format that incorporates chord frames and symbols, as well as a record to assist in tuning and to provide accompaniments for at-home practice. Book One also introduces beginning fingerboard technique and music theory. Book Two and Three build upon the techniques learned in Book One.

Product Details

• Plastic Comb: 80 pages
• Publisher: Hal Leonard Corporation (January 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0793570786
• ISBN-13: 978-0793570782
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 9.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #97,122 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good book / bad CDs, November 17, 2005

By 

Brett J. Brucklacher (Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Modern Approach to Classical Guitar - Composite (Books 1, 2 and 3)(book & 3 CD'S) (Plastic Comb)

The book itself is a good introduction to classical guitar for beginning players like myself. The lessons are easy to follow, with pieces that (for me) are challenging enough to hold my interest without being so difficult as to frustrate me. From a total beginner's perspective, the book alone is worth the price, and deserves a solid 4 to 5 star rating.

The CDs are another story. Having the CDs with the teacher accompaniment pieces available is a nice boon for those like myself who are trying to learn classical guitar on a budget. I'm keeping the lessons to a minimum, so being able to play along with the CDs is a great feature. My major complaint is with the audio quality. I understand and appreciate that this series of books was released long before compact disc technology was available--it used to come with one of those flexible plastic "records" attached to it. If you've ever heard one of those, you know the audio quality is poor. I had hoped that the CD edition would either feature re-recordings of the original pieces, or at least be re-mastered from the original master tapes. Sadly, the CDs are simply a recording of the plastic records themselves, complete with dust pops and all the other audio artifacts associated with a low quality pressing. I don't think they even tried to clean it up digitally (or if they did, it was not done by someone competent).

Needless to say, the audio quality was a huge disappointment for me. Perhaps I've been spoiled with the advent of digital recordings, but even my old vinyl sounds a heck of a lot better than these poor CDs do. They, and not the material in the book, are what bring the rating down for me.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book by a Great Teacher, April 15, 2004

By 

George Mays (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Modern Approach to Classical Guitar - Composite (Books 1, 2 and 3)(book & 3 CD'S) (Plastic Comb)

I have collected many classical guitar method books over the years -- Noad, Shearer and Parkening among them -- and Duncan's books always rank among the very best, in my opinion. His advice is well thought-out, well-presented and well-written. The serious student of classical guitar would do well to look at this and other of Duncan's books.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Classical Guitar Method, March 8, 2007

By 

Dale King "guitar teacher" (Oklahoma, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Modern Approach to Classical Guitar - Composite (Books 1, 2 and 3)(book & 3 CD'S) (Plastic Comb)

Charles Duncan has compiled a very thorough and interesting method for serious beginner and intermediate level classical guitarists. I addition to the standard literature you would expect, Mr. Duncan has written numerous pieces for this book. His skill for combining jazz, latin and other genres as one progresses along, make this a delightful taste of something totally unexpected in a classical method book. If you like a challenge, but are bored with the same old thing you've played before, check out Duncan's material. You won't be disappointed.