Play Classical Guitar [Spiral-bound]

David Braid (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2001

From playing the classical guitar, to buying one, to simply enjoying its unique beauty, repertoire and heritage, this colorful all-in-one primer reveals the riches of one of historyÕs finest stringed instruments. It presents more than 90 exercises composed by the author that clarify techniques and concepts, as well as transcriptions of essential classical guitar repertoire. Fully illustrated with diagrams and charts, this book for beginning to advanced players covers reading music notation, theory, key signatures, musical terms, memorization, chords, arpeggios, melody, advanced techniques, playing by ear, general musicianship, and improvisation. Includes a color showcase of the finest models, players and composers; an historical overview of the classical guitar; and a companion CD that allows players to hear exactly how the exercises in the book should sound. Hardcover, spiral-bound.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David Braid is a graduate of London's Royal College of Music with a Master's Degree in Composition. He currently teaches classical guitar, and composes and performs contemporary classical music around the world. Also a music journalist, Braid served as consultant on contemporary music for the Encyclopedia of Music in the 20th Century, and has contributed articles to publications including the Tree of Knowledge Partwork and The Great Composers CD-ROM. He is the winner of the John Longmire Prize for Composition and the Chameleon Composers' Group Prize, both in London, and the Composition Prize for Youth Orchestra in Spain.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 160 pages
• Publisher: Backbeat Books (August 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879306572
• ISBN-13: 978-0879306571
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 9.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #874,044 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great classical method for adults, October 2, 2001

By 

Katherine Mann (Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Play Classical Guitar (Spiral-bound)

This excellent tutor will take you from beginner to intermediate status in short order. The exercises are a cut above the ordinary. The explanations are clear, firmly anchored in musical theory without being overwhelming. There is a very nicely produced cd included.

I am an adult beginner. This is the sort of material that I have been looking for since I first laid finger to string. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to get "there" from "here" elegantly, competently, and happily. Enjoy!

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent tutorial for low intermediate guitarist moving to classical style, December 31, 2005

By 

J. Janssen (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Play Classical Guitar (Spiral-bound)

David Braid's hardcover and spiral bound book is one of the best tutorials I've found for a moderately experienced guitar player who wishes to learn classical style of play. It is definitely a book for self taught adults however, and does present some shortcomings for the absolute beginner.

First of all, the book covers a rather broad territory and moves the student into upper positions on the fingerboard in a relatively short period of time and without a great many of the repetitious examples ("studies") found in most of the other method books. Additionally, the writer is British and uses terminology that is somewhat foreign to American ears ("quavers", "semi-quavers", etc.). I would recommend using a supplemental exercise book to insure one develops certain requisite skills. Finally, the CD which accompanies the book and plays ALL of the exercies and examples in the book is not of the highest audio quality and only plays each excercise at "concert" speed. However, given all the that, I still give the book five stars for what it does well and the overall value it represents.

There is no TAB in this book and the author correctly surmises that the student will have to learn to read music as he/she learns the left and right hand techniques necessary for play. The author incorporates effective note recognition into basic studes while allowing the student to play pieces incorporating both bass and treble and, hence, sounding like "real" music, almost from the very beginning. The exercises are progressive and effective in developing the skills the author is shooting for. Additionally, the overall quality of the package and ease of use, owing to the hardcover and spiral binding, make this an excellent intro to classical guitar.

I recommend it highly along with the more traditional (Book 1 & 2) series from Scott Tennant and Christopher Parkening. Tennant's supplemental books ("Pumping Nylon" and his two "repertoire" books) are also highly recommended.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just make sure you have the self restraint to put it down :), November 26, 2002

By 

Lee - See all my reviews

This review is from: Play Classical Guitar (Spiral-bound)

Unlike "the Noad book" (which seemed to turn learning guitar into a chore,) Play Classical Guitar starts fast and teaches quickly. After only a few lessons, I already found myself playing pleasant little tunes.

Excercises quickly get more difficult, but reward you with songs that you're proud to play for friends. The included CD also helps you compare yourself to "the right way."

I heartily reccomend this outstanding book -- except for the fact that you need a lot of will-power to put it down!