Customer Reviews

Progressive Fingerpicking Guitar

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

 

 

Well, as someone who hadn't picked up a guitar for 20 years this book came to me via my young son. As i started to read the pages and listened to the CD i thought what the hell, give it a try. I was always a banger (RYTHM) and never was able to fingerpick any notes. I have had the book now for about 3 weeks and starting to play a few nice tunes, which make me sound quite good. I've mastered most of the techniques cept for the darn Clawhammer with pinch but that was lesson 17, and by now (3 weeks) im playing accompanyment to simple tunes (greensleeves etc) very competently (OK i'm blushing) I think the book suits a more mature person, a child still needs some help, and i would think the progressive Rythm Guitar is perhaps a better start for a child or raw beginner I had some trouble with the claw hammer section and would like to have seen a few more tunes in the back of the book. There is an interesting 20 (or so) page discussion of arranging Greensleeves, and although it would e fascinating for older guitarist, younger people might find it a little beyond them. However, the way fingerpicking patterns are introduced and progressed, as well as alternative patterns produced, will make anyone not only play fingerpicking style quickly, but each pattern is so very nicely put togheter so that one gets a lot of satisfaction playing them. The book also contains 10 or so finger picking chord progressions, and here my critisism is that it leaves one hungry for more, more , more. All in all, its money well spend. Im rather upset tho that here in Australia the books sell for 2 times the price you pay in the States (about $18) ($27aus) and maybe I should import direct. I wonder which next one to buy, i hope there is a sequel to the finger picking one. Believe me, it is MARVELOUS!!!!!!!!. .

I am teaching myself to play guitar and thought this book looked like a good one to use, along with others.
My problems with this book (and some other books in the Progressive series) are:
- Emphasis on techniques isolated from their use in specific songs. At the end of the day, we practice in order to learn to play songs, and that's the context in which techniques should be presented.
- Many of the exercises are harder than they have to be in order to develop the technique. The songs at the end of the book require fingerings that are just beyong what a beginner is going to be able to do. Not that the fingerings are the point of the exercise---they are not. They just get in the way. Guitar students need to crawl before they walk, etc.

I haven't read this book, but it was refered to me by a good guitar teacher who has played with Joan Biaz. He suggested I get it, and I came online here to find it, but it is out of print. I might still order it though. Maybe if enough people ask for it, the publisher will re release it. I suggest it because it was suggested to me.