Learning the Classic Guitar: Part 1

Rating:
Summary: Segovia was right
Review: Andrés Segovia was right when he told Mr. Shearer that his books were useless. I have only read part one and I feel like I haven't started yet.

Rating:
Summary: One of Two Parts
Review: I didn't realize until I got the book that it is meant to be used TOGETHER with Part 2. Part 1 provides the theory, Part 2 provides the music! Before buying the book, I finished Shearer's earlier paperback "Classic Guitar Technique Volume 1" which has been replaced by the "Learning" Series. There was so much in the new series that I missed on the first round, I am having to start almost all over again (a year later), but so far it seems like I have a deeper understanding of music, the guitar, and performance. Shearer's approach in this series is to get you working with performance-quality conditions (position, nail shaping, memorization) from day 1. The music provided is voluminous, building each specific skill up very slowly. He's also very focused on avoiding injury from day 1, and has you do a lot of work visualizing what you're playing. A bit intimidating to the learner, but so far seems to be worth sticking with it. My only recommendation is to get both Book 1 and Book 2 simultaneously, and read both from start to finish before starting so you can get a sense of where he's headed. I hope future editions communicate the ties between the two a bit better; a recommended map of lesson plans, using both books, would be great, for those of us who still (against Shearer's recommendations) prefer to study on our own (albeit in front of a mirror).

Rating:
Summary: The accepted Bible of Classical technique
Review: This is an excellent book for the beginner to use with/without (preferably with) the guidance of a teacher. It will properly build the students execution of basic techniques while enhancing their ability to read music. I highly recomend this book to any aspiring classical guitarist.

Rating:
Summary: For teachers or beginners
Review: This is an excellent book for the beginner to use with/without (preferably with) the guidance of a teacher. It will properly build the students execution of basic techniques while enhancing their ability to read music. I highly recomend this book to any aspiring classical guitarist.

Rating:
Summary: The accepted Bible of Classical technique
Review: This is the book used to introduce students to Classical Guitar technique at most reputable university programs. It is based on decades of research into hand anatomy and guitar virtuosity and is the landmark book on technique--his earlier book (Classic Guitar Technique-Belywn -Mills pub.) is useless for technique information being written prior to Shearer's break-through research and it was THAT book that was panned by Segovia (as mistakenly mentioned in another review), not this (Mel Bay Pub.) one. This one is an absoulte must for any fingerstyle guitarist, classical or steel string. You will improve your playing drastically if you employ its instruction. This, book I, has no music, but crucial instruction on the details of how to move the hands. This book would be as valuable to a long term player who already read music and played advanced pieces as well as to the beginner, its primary target audience.

Rating:
Summary: Extremely well organized and thorough
Review: Years ago, Aaron Shearer suffered a debilitating case of tendonitis, robbing him of his ability to perform professionally. Since then, he has developed an entirely new approach to the classic guitar. His "Learning the Classic Guitar" series constitutes the most thorough, organized, and focused material I have seen for classic guitar study. It is very highly recommended for beginning or experienced players who want to develop solid, performance-quality technique and skill.