Rating: 
Summary: He's here to pump you up!
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book/dvd. Scott is an excellent player, but is equally adept at teaching which is rare. He covers the most frequent problem areas for most aspiring classical guitarists with depth and clarity. I especially enjoyed watching him play the tremolo piece Requerdos de la Alhambra after his lesson on tremolo. It really drove home the importance of developing this technique. I also learned some things about nail care that I hadn't heard before, especially the diagrams on which nail shapes work and which don't. Video and audio quality were great, and the cirriculum was thoughtfully laid out. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Ouch. Keep the pain comin'...
Review: I'm an intermediate classical guitarist, and recently picked this book up to improve my technique and to strengthen my hands. On the first count, I can't really say it's been too successful yet, but then, I've only gone through the first few pages. HOWEVER, on the second count, I can definitely say that the exercises included in this book are *awesome* for developing strength in the left hand, and for gaining independence of the fingers on the left hand. I can really see and feel a difference in the solidity of my fingering after just a few weeks of doing the exercises. But man, oh man, do *not* open this book thinking that it's going to be a cake walk, because it isn't. The exercises are difficult, and they hurt and are frustrating at first. However, if you can stick to them, and are humble enough to accept the fact that your technique might just be weaker than you thought - then you will reap rewards from this book.The book also contains Giuliani's entire 120 exercises for the right hand - having done these independently myself, I can attest that they are invaluable, and make a fine addition to this book.
Rating: 
Summary: some harmless corniness, but a great book
Review: Ignore the review by the guy who complained about the book's advice on shaping nails. That guy has an ego problem (see his bio). You are instead better advised to listen to someone like Scott Tennant who has a proven track record for being an awesome guitarist, musician _and_ teacher. (He won or placed highly in several international competitions; he has at least one student who has excelled likewise and speaks highly of him; see Martha Masters.) He makes it clear that individual preferences and needs differ, and that some of his advice may not necessarily work for all guitarists, but that he draws on years of teaching and performance experience. Even if you disagree about the nails (use your brain to decide if his advice works for you), you surely will find something else of value in the relatively inexpensive book. My only complaint might be that there are some ideas or recommendations regarding technique could use a bit further explanation or clarification. A good companion book for this (that I also recommend) is the Charles Duncan book, which goes into more detail along the same lines, but doesn't provide the practical exercises.
Rating:
Summary: Two thumbs up (with nails shaped the way S. Tennant says)!
Review: It is very concerning to me that someone would find such problems with this book. I am of course referring to the gentleman from Los Alamitos and his thoughts on the book. Please remember that there is a big difference between someone who "plays professionally" and a serious student or concert artist. Students and pros should absolutely have this book in their library.
Rating:
Summary: The Intermediate
Review: Pumping Nylon was certainly a helpful book on technique and other various aspects of the classical guitar. I have been taking private lessons for years and the book covered many things that were extremely helpful. The downfall of this book is you certainly have to contain a long attention span for some of the techniques and exersizes recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Great book for the beginner-intermediate player
Review: The technical exercises are thouroughly explained. Mr. Tennant brings a wealth of performance and recording experience into his teaching.
Rating:
Summary: A very valuable and useful book
Review: This book is a must. It trains the right hand and the left hand, and can be of great use to guitarists of any stylistic preference (particularly fingerstylists of course). It has many exercises which, if practised diligently will improve or maintain anyone's technique. Scott Tennant is a master guitarist and a very fair minded person who presents information in the manner that a coach or advisor would, rather than in a heavy-handed or authoritarian way. As for the nails controversy, people spend far too much energy focusing on that. Tennant gives some advice and acknowledges that different things can work for different people. It's just guidelines. No less an authority than John Williams is quoted (by Christopher Parkening) as saying "You can't tell a thing about a guitarist by their fingernails". So I guess if it works for you, it works. At any rate, I would never dismiss this book just because some classical guitarists disagree with the fingernail advice. This book is highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Get pumping with Scott's book
Review: This book is very useful for developing strength and control of both hands. It's focus is on goal directed practice of left hand and right hand excercises - so don't buy it if you're looking for a book of music - but DO buy if you want to improve your technique, and you're willing to put regular focussed practice into achieving results. The key to development here is discipline - ie. stick to the exercises in the book and do them regularly - I know this can be a challenge at times, but the rewards are worth it.
Rating:
Summary: Hits the nail on the head
Review: This is not a book for the absolute beginner--though if you are one you might buy it, read the pages on finger placement and accuracy, then hold on to it while you develop technique. Once you begin to do so this book will help you improve it and identify weaknesses.
For the advanced beginner to intermediate player Scott's book, plus Segovia's Diatonic Major and Minor Scales, provides a strong foundation which will improve your playing much quicker than moving from piece to piece and technique to technique. I've been playing as a serious amateur for about four years, and I saw almost instantaneous improvement. I have an old sports injury which hampers my left hand 3 and 4 fingers; the finger independence exercises have really strengthened them.
Okay, the nail controversy: YMMV. If you're an accomplished player used to rounded and/or longish nails Scott's ideas may not be for you. I took the leap of faith six months ago. It took some adjustment. I play scales on the wound strings every day, I do stone work and woodworking, and I've had much less problems with my nails since the switch because there's less surface area to catch or break.
I got the book since months ago. Wish I'd gotten it four years ago.
Rating:
Summary: Hits the nail on the head
Review: This is not a book for the absolute beginner--though if you are one you might buy it, read the pages on finger placement and accuracy, then hold on to it while you develop technique. Once you begin to do so this book will help you improve it and identify weaknesses.
For the advanced beginner to intermediate player Scott's book, plus Segovia's Diatonic Major and Minor Scales, provides a strong foundation which will improve your playing much quicker than moving from piece to piece and technique to technique. I've been playing as a serious amateur for about four years, and I saw almost instantaneous improvement. I have an old sports injury which hampers my left hand 3 and 4 fingers; the finger independence exercises have really strengthened them.
Okay, the nail controversy: YMMV. If you're an accomplished player used to rounded and/or longish nails Scott's ideas may not be for you. I took the leap of faith six months ago. It took some adjustment. I play scales on the wound strings every day, I do stone work and woodworking, and I've had much less problems with my nails since the switch because there's less surface area to catch or break.
I got the book since months ago. Wish I'd gotten it four years ago.
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