Rating: 
Summary: This is a good instrcution book
Review: There is an oddity here: the book I just bought has the same ISBN number, and the same title, but a different cover than the one depicted on Amazon's page. It is 8.5" X 11", with a glossy full-color cover depicting Christopher Parkening, wearing a white turtle neck sweater, playing a classical guitar, and it has a 1999 copyright. A gold medallion affixed to the cover, says "New Revised Edition." Whether it is earlier, or later, than the one depicted here, I don't know. However, with the same ISBN number, the inside should be identical. In the Acknowledgments, Parkening pays homage, interestingly, to James Sherry, whom he credits with persuading him to write the book. James Sherry, of Chicago, was (and perhaps is still) an officer of Antiqua Casa Sherry-Brener, Ltd., which in 1969 imported some factory-made classical guitars from Japan, replete with the following label: Constructor de Guitarras
Antonio Hernandis
Exclusivas Distribuidores
Antigua Casa Sherry-Brener, Ltd.
No. 1 Madrid 1969 I own one of the guitars, which, from the label, one might suppose was manufactured in Madrid. Perhaps parts of it were. Nowhere on the guitar, however, is there any hint that it was manufactured or assembled in Japan, which two different nationally recognized experts have assured me was the case. it is an absolutely beautiful guitar, well worth the price I paid. This appears to be a very complete instructional book for the classical guitar. It is well illustrated, both with photos and artwork (all black and white), showing the parts of the guitar, its construction, tuning techniques, how to sit and place the hands and fingers. Very complete, indeed. Quite a bit of the book is devoted to musical scores, with a good variety of pieces. There are also, of course, chord charts (minimal) and a dictionary of musical terms. There are a great many instruction books for beginning guitar players. This appears to me to be as good as any. It is not a "quicky" method, but contains instruction in reading music, as well as graphic depictions of some playing techniques utilizing the fingers and fingernails. For the best instruction, one is advised to get a competent teacher and receive one-on-one instruction. However, this book will do as an adjunct. I recommend it. Joseph Pierre
Rating: 
Summary: Essential material in the Art Of Classical Guitar Playing
Review: An essential books (Vol. 1 & 2) for those seeking the best in the art of classical guitar playing.
Rating: 
Summary: EXCELLENT BUT FOR BIBLE THUMPING
Review: I really have little to add to the praise of the didactic style and musical content of this book. However, I would like to just ask Mr. Parkening to leave his bible thumping out of the next edition. I bought your book to learn guittar not to be harassed by your own religious view points.
Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT BUT FOR BIBLE THUMPING
Review: I really have little to add to the praise of the didactic style and musical content of this book. However, I would like to just ask Mr. Parkening to leave his bible thumping out of the next edition. I bought your book to learn guittar not to be harassed by your own religious view points.
Rating:
Summary: Probably the best guitar tutorial
Review: I totally concur with everything Mr. Fackler wrote above. I would only add there there are also some duet pieces that are essential to the begining student. Mr. Parkening is one of the finest guitarists in the world and I not only recommend this book, but the more technically demanding follow up. Also his recordings are superb and you should never pass up an opprotunity to see him perform in concert.
Rating:
Summary: Easy and Fun Method for Learning Classical Guitar
Review: It's interesting to have the chance to read what Mr. Parkening considers a productive way to learn classical guitar. I bought this book because I was impressed by the quality of the music compositions within reach of a beginning classical guitarist. I use it as a compliment to Frederick Noad's Solo Guitar Playing 1 method book.
Mr. Parkening introduces each string and it's notation when played open (no pressing on the fret board). From there he gradually introduces more notes and their corresponding position on the staff and fretboard. There are several exercises and studies to reinforce recognition of each note learned and then several short compositions to apply what you've learned to "real" songs. Also from the beginning there are suggestions for practicing the studies and exercises with different finger alternation patterns along with suggestions of when (and which notes) to practice playing rest and/or free strokes. The nice thing is that Mr. Parkening seems not only to be teaching proper technique but also what to listen for and critique yourself so you can continue to improve. As he mentions in the Practicing section, "Always keep in mind it is better to play one piece well than many pieces poorly." There are some fascinating insights throughout the book into how Mr. Parkening thinks a beginner should approach things such as correct practice, tone production, optimal fingernail shape and attack of the strings, selecting a good classical guitar and it's care. This book also gives the most photos and detailed instruction I've yet seen in any book on EXACTLY how to sit, place your feet and legs, drape/weight your arms and hands in relation to the guitar body and fretboard and correct placement of both the left and right hands and their proper positions. Photos are plentiful although some are better quality than others. My favorites are the antique-ish photos - especially the one of a very young Segovia listening to the elder Miguel Llobet play. As the back cover says there are 50 solo pieces (some examples: Ode to Joy, In the Hall of the Mountain King, Malaguena, Fur Elise, Jesu:Joy of Man's Desiring) and over 14 duets. He also includes the necessary fundamentals of note reading, beginning music theory of sharps, flats, naturals, music keys, the circle of 5ths, chords, at first, are taught in traditional music notation and also discusses bar chords. Fretboard diagrams showing basic chords (and some bar chords) are found toward the back. All the compositions, duets and exercises are playable in the First Position - that is, they can all be played within the first 4 frets. Occasionally he will include a 5th fret note with instruction on which string to find it. This is fairly uncommon however and is only done when it ends up making the piece easier to play. There are pages explaining music notation terms as well as a large fretboard diagram toward the back showing each note name on each fret (all the way up to the 12th fret) and it's corresponding position on the staff. There are a number of chromatic scale studies, arpeggio studies, finger technique exercises although I wish there had been more of these included (this is actually my ONLY quibble with Mr. Parkening's book and one he fortunately rectified in vol. 2). The final section of the book includes supplementary pieces to learn and add to your repertoire. They aren't strictly graded although he does mention that the easier key compositions are first. At this point he mentions you can begin studying Vol. 2 of his Method while still learning and practicing the supplementary pieces from book one. Overall this is a fine book and I don't think anyone will be disappointed with it. It has some of the nicest selections of musical pieces to learn I've ever seen in any beginning classical guitar study book. The main difference I've noticed between it and Solo Guitar Playing 1 is that the composition pieces ramp up in difficulty faster in Mr. Parkening's method. The reason for this however is that it is shorter than the Noad book. Combine it with Mr. Noad's Solo Guitar Playing 1 and you have an unbeatable combination for learning how to play classical guitar.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent introduction to the guitar
Review: My teacher suggested this book and it is terrific, though I do agree with another reviewer that placing fingering suggestions next to the notes can get in the way of learning to read the music. It took me almost ten months to work through the entire book. In the beginning, I could not read guitar music and had no idea what I was doing. I can now play a good little repertoire or songs without sending my wife running to get the ear plugs! The layout of the book is very logical, continually building on the skills you have already learned. It also includes a good mix of exercises as well as popular classical pieces to learn. I look forward to continuing my studies in Volume 2.
Rating:
Summary: Jumping on the band wagon
Review: Reading everyone else's reviews I'd have to say I agree. This is a very good little book. Mind you, it's taking me forever to get through it...9 months to get to page 55/87...but I think I'm learning. I'm buying the second book just as soon as I get through this one. I do have one complaint/complement. Parkening has includes numbers next to notes. These are to show the student which finger to put on the string. It's very useful, but I've found it gets in the way of learning musical notation.
Rating:
Summary: A Comprehensive Method Book for Classical Guitar Students
Review: The Christopher Parkening Guitar Method, Volume 1, revised 1998, is a comprehensive approach to teaching classical guitar. Written by an accomplished premier classical guitarist, it is not just a collection of exercises and guitar pieces, but includes historical background, basic technique, lots of textual information, photos and a useful appendix of terms. While a few of the photos in the original edition which should have had better lighting are included, this is easily overlooked since many have been added which are of far superior quality. I recommend this text for first time students of classical guitar who will not just learn the rudiments, but beautiful guitar pieces as well. Having said this, there is no substitute for a teacher... don't go it alone!
Rating:
Summary: From a Parkening Master Class (1982)Student and Teacher
Review: The one flaw that most classical guitar methods have is that the authors assume that a student has "proir experience". This is not the case with "The Christopher Parkening Method Vol 1" Mr. Parkening" starts the beginning student with a solid base of technic and prepares the student for a well rounded course in concert guitar. This is a well paced and consistent method, teaching a well rounded technic. This method is not boring or overly academic. There is also a brief history of the classical guitar from its Spanish origans to international prominance. I highly recommand this method for the aspiring concert guitarist as well as for the teacher.
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