Classic Guitar Technique, Volume 1 (Paperback)

~ Aaron Shearer (Author) "The first of the two types to have made its appearance on the musical scene was the classic guitar, also known as the Spanish guitar,..." (more)
Key Phrases: classic guitar technique, plectrum guitar, treble part, Roman Numeral (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

One of the most popular classical guitar methods ever written. A basic and orderly presentation of the necessary information and exercises essential to beginning guitar instruction.

From the Publisher

One of the most popular classical guitar methods ever written. A basic and orderly presentation of the necessary information and exercises essential to beginning guitar instruction.

Product Details

• Paperback: 82 pages
• Publisher: Alfred Publishing Co., Inc. (March 9, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898985722
• ISBN-13: 978-0898985726
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 8.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #348,889 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

75 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Long Sought Fresh Air, October 29, 2001

By	O'Falahan "O'Falahan" (Cincinnati, OH USA) - See all my reviews

In my late twenties, I decided that I wanted to teach myself how to play classical guitar. The inspiration came to me long after I had abandoned a frustrating, embarrassing, and futile struggle to learn trumpet as a youth.

I bought a bunch of books (I still have them -- the stack is six inches tall), studied with a class given over NPR-TV, and I even took some beginner classes. But I didn't get far. I'd about concluded that music and me were never going to be a "thing."

It was about then that Shearer's "Classical Guitar Technique," (Vols. I & II) came to my attention. It looked pretty good! So, I bought Volume II and I took it home. I figured that I must have learned enough over those ten years that I could skip Volume I. But it was clear within a week that I needed Volume I, as well. So, I went back and got it, too.

What wonderful books they are! I spent the next two years in near ecstasy as I went through Shearer's lessons. I was actually learning! I was playing an hour every night -- not because I thought I had to, but because I was LOVING it! The songs I was playing were some of the prettiest I had ever heard for classical guitar. Wonderful songs by Sor, Carulli, Aguado, and the likes. And I was playing them!

Toward the end of that time I got a copy of Shearer's "Supplement 2, "Basic Elements of Music Theory." I studied it as well, and that was also a good decision. (I never thought to inquire about Supplement 1 -- I don't know why).

By that time, one of my teen-aged sons was taking guitar lessons on his own (but on a rock guitar). I sat-in on his lessons. His teacher decided to hold some group lessons in theory for his charges. After watching the class fidget with frustration for three weeks, I asked (privately, of course) if I couldn't have a half-hour with them. The instructor agreed. At the end of that half-hour, the students came up to me to say that they could finally began to see what the instructor had been trying to get across to the class -- and they thought it was cool! Shearer's book had made the points so well to me, that I was able to present it clearly to a class of teen-agers, despite my limited training.

Now, I'm still not musician enough to earn my supper with my guitar, and I'm certainly not a music theory expert. But, I have to tell you, I'm a thousand times more of a musician now than I was before, and I owe it all to Aaron Shearer's books.

I've never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Shearer, and I probably will never have an opportunity to thank him in person. But I do feel obligated to thank him, and that is why I wrote this.

If you decide to try Shearer's books, you will definitely find them challenging. But, from the first week, you will also find them immensely rewarding.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Even a middle aged woman can learn Classical guitar!, December 22, 2000

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

This method is great! After a lifetime of pretending to play the guitar (!) I finally decided to actually study. My teacher uses all of Shearer's methods simultaneously, but concentrates on this one. I had imagined that beginning to study would place me in the "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and "Mary had a Little Lamb" category, but NO! This method approaches the study of guitar seriously, and beautifully - by the end of the first book you are playing simple but lovely pieces, based on a sound technical basis. I am astounded to have come so far so quickly using this method. Highly recommended! I am delighted. :)

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book to start with, March 2, 1999

By A Customer

If you wanna start learning classical guitar, this is the book you wanna buy. It includes basic techniques for fingering, music notations, basic scales, etc. Towards the end of this book, you can learn some pieces with arpeggio, which are simple but has an impressive sound. It would be more effective to use this book with "Solo Guitar Playing 1" by Frederick Noad, which has more pieces to practice in this level. Overall, this is a great book to start with, if you are serious about learning classical guitar.