12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An essential handbook for all musicians., December 3, 2000
This review is from: The Secrets of Successful Practicing for Guitarists (Paperback)
One of the best things about Kevin Downing's book is that, although it is called "Secrets of Successful Practicing for Guitarists" the techniques and advice it contains are relevant to all musicians. This is not a "Learn to play guitar in six easy lessons" manual, it's a book that deals with the issue of how to learn, and understand, a musical instrument properly. It makes the point that there are no shortcuts to success, but there are things that can be done to make the learning and practicing process easier, and more effective.
The book is written in an easy to read, conversational tone, and the chapters are reasonable short. This means that what is in the book is the essential information, without unnecessary padding. And all of that information is relevant, practical, and above all, effective.
This is a book that concentrates on the much neglected area of how to practice and learn. The combination of the author's wide musical experience, teaching experience, and understanding of the psychology of learning, means that this book is as much about training the mind as training the fingers. Included are chapters about setting up a practice room, establishing a practice schedule, motivation, memory techniques, dealing with nerves, and many more.
While all of this information is relevant to playing the guitar, it is also just as useful for those learning any other instrument. For that reason it should be an essential part of the collection of any music student, musician, or music teacher.
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21 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Kevin Downing's book is a godsend., March 2, 2002
This review is from: The Secrets of Successful Practicing for Guitarists (Paperback)
Every teacher would be doing themselves a favour by buying a boxful and giving them out free to their students as a thank you for their business. And to acknowledge the effort their students make to succeed under their tutelage.
Kevin's book would their quiet, unassuming, 24/7 assistant teacher, adding value to their teaching.
This valuable book will help both the teacher and student lift their game, enrich their relationship and get more results for the guitar student.
Sheesh! I paid thousands of dollars to learn these secrets at two overseas music schools!
Kevin's book works because it talks to the student where they most need it. Not in the comfort of a lesson with a teacher but in their solitude at the coal face of indecision and doubt that is their ... drum roll .... practise room.
In simple, straight forward, direct, unpretentious, no bs language, Kevin walks you through ALL stages of practise: from setting up your work area, making sure your have a life, that your remain healthy, how to set up a practise schedule, how to remain on course, what content to practise, when to practise, how not to practise, how to get a gig, how to sightread and train the ear, how to talk to other musicians and a wealth of tips that are so common sensical that they are indeed, secrets!
So you're guitar player who struggled with reading at school? Welcome to the Secrets of Successful Practising for Guitarists!Kevin makes this book so easy to read. It's like he's there talking with you.
If you want a highly organised manual of helpful guitar practise tips, that you can refer to again and again, put this one in your guitar case.
Kevin writes not just like he knows! He write like he cares.
Kevin's book comes with my highest recommendation. And no! You can't have my copy...
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The secrets of practising for guitarists, December 11, 2001
This review is from: The Secrets of Successful Practicing for Guitarists (Paperback)
The secrets of practising for guitarists is the book I usually have with me when I play my guitar. When I feel like a bit of inspiration, practical ideas pour out of its pages. It's like having my own mentor sitting on the bookshelf. Within a few days my practise became more focussed. I now monitor my own progress and have noticed a marked improvement. I listen more to my favourite guitarists, read more widely and find it easier to apply my guitar lessons to everyday playing. I recommend you plug yourself in to this book. It's worth its weight in Fenders.
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