Average Reviews:
(More customer 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.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Classic Guitar Technique, Volume 1
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.
Click here for more information about Classic Guitar Technique, Volume 1
0 comments:
Post a Comment