Methods:Parkening,Shearer,Carcassi?

[Bobd]

I've had a classical guitar for 20 years(takamine C132S) and have plucked away at it off and on. During that time I've picked up the following methods. Not sure if any of them are worth while. Could I please get some feedback on them and also recommendations of other methods that might be better. I've been a sax player for years so I can read music(hate TAB) but I can't really play past the first position. Also, I'll be with out a teacher for a while.


I have the Parkening books I,II, the Older Shearer Books(Technique 1,Slurs & Ornaments, Scales) and the Fischer Music edition of the Carcassi Method.

I find the Parkening method very disjointed. It has the player go from very simple to much more difficult very quickly. And the music doesn't seem to build you up from easy to harder.

The Shearer Books seem much better. More of a gradual increase in difficulty. I learned most of what I know from the Shearer books but I find them a bit boring.

The Carcassi book I actually like. It really drills the stuff into you. Very good in terms of building blocks. Simple to more difficult but gradually. The only thing is I read a lot about how this is an antiquated method with much of the original content left out. So I feel like I could be missing out on important stuff.

Any input would be great.

[M. Stephenson]

Its all good.

However, I would recomend getting some DVD's. A picture is worth a thousand words.

Scott Tennant's "Pumping Nylon" book & DVD is a great place to start.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0739024035/qid=1125410242/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-9409237-7871233?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

Although not a technique book, I highly recomend "The Natural Classical Guitar" by Lee Ryan

http://boldstrummerltd.com/store.php?crn=69&rn=82&action=show_detail&PHPSESSID=e63ff0b2b624e8e9489764c6ca615639

Best of luck.

[Guitar Slim]

I'll try to recommended books and collections that are graded and move from the simple to the more difficult. To master it all would of take years of course (though at the end you would be a pretty accomplished classical guitarist). It's up to you how far you want to take it.

You can't go too far wrong with the Aaron Shearer books. I started with them as an elementary-school kid in the 60s, and they remain a teaching staple to this day. Nicely graded from rank beginner to fairly advanced technique and repertoire.

Frederick Noad's "Solo Guitar Playing", Vols. 1 and 2, are excellent methods, and include a lot of good repertoire. Supplementary to his method books, check out his repertoire collections (Rennaisance, Baroque, Classical and Romantic). Each volume has three graded sections -- easy, intermediate and advanced. They are a pleasant way to improve your skills while learning a lot of nice music.

19th-century material remains central to classical-guitar training. I'm not real familiar with Carcassi's method book, but his 20 collected studies are standards. The Carcassi studies along with the Fernando Sor studies and Mauro Guilliani's right-hand arpeggio excercises are practically de-rigeur for classical guitar students. Just keep in mind that the instrument has changed a lot since the 1800s, and so has the physical technique of playing. Play the music by all means, but be sure apply modern physical technique.

By the way, all 120 of the Guilliani right hand excercieses can be found in volume 2 of the Noad method.

Hope this helps

[Bobd]

Slim,

thanks so much for that info! With that in mind I think I'll finish Shearer Vol. I and then pick up Noads Vol. I and II along with one of his repertoire collections. When should I start on the Sor and Carcassi studies? My Carcassi method(published by Fischer) actaully doesn't have the studies in it(weird) so I'll have to pick that up.

[arby]

Have a look at Sagreras, especially since you are without a teacher. His studies are heavily notated, including when to use rest stroke. You are never left wondering which finger or string to use, plus they sound nice.

Just a personal opinion, but I don't think any of the method books are very good for learning technique. I prefer DVDs such as those by Frederic Hand or Scott Tennant.

[Bobd]

OK now I'm starting to get confused. The Sagreras method sounds good too. So, I'm still thinking finish the Shearer Vol. 1 but then do I go with Noad, Sagreras or Carcassi? And if I go with Carcassi should I get the Mel Bay instead of the Fischer version(which I own). If someone could lay out a plan for me that would cover everything a beginner should work on that would be great!

[daniel711]

Ok, I'll take a shot at this: I totally agree with Shearer 1, but would follow that with Shearer 2. Shearer 2 (if you really go through it), should occupy you for the better part of a year. It's that good. Next - Pick a few Carcassi studies and/or some Sor studies There's no need to go through all of them! That would be excruciating! When you can competently get through some of the studies, then you're ready to pick pieces that you really love, including easier Bach, Tarrega, popular stuff, etc....

[Bobd]

Thanks Daniel711,

One thing about the Shearer method. I'm not uising the current books. I have the ones just before the new version. I think it's called Classical Guitar Technique Vol. 1. Is that OK to stick with or were you talking about the current version?

[Guitar Slim]

I’m not familiar with the Sagreras method, but it’s been a LONG time since I taught guitar, and even longer since I’ve been a student. As another poster here said, it’s all good.

But you probably don’t want to get bogged down studying too many different method books at once. For the casual player, I will stick with my recommendation of the Shearer and Noad books. You will encounter several 19th-century study pieces just in the course of working through these books, including examples from the Carcassi and Sor etudes.

Just so it’s clear, we are talking about Carcassi’s “25 Melodic and Progressive Studies, Op. 60”, NOT his complete guitar method, right? The complete method, while historic and probably very useful, may be a little antiquated.

The definitive 20 Sor studies were compiled and edited by Andre Segovia, and the Segovia edition is the version of choice. The 25 Carcassi studies were collected and published during his lifetime and there are many modern editions available. I wish I could recommend a particular edition, but I can’t. My old copy is in Italian, it’s buried in a file box somewhere and I don’t remember the publisher or editor.

These collections are of graded difficulty and should be worked on side-by-side with whatever method you choose to work from. The early ones are easy enough, but the later studies can be quite difficult, particularly the last half of the Sor studies. I didn’t tackle the later Sor studies until I was a music-school student in college.

As far as recommending an exact course of study in more detail, you really need a good teacher for that, one who can identify your strengths and weaknesses, target specific problems and recommend areas of focus.

If I can give you any more advice it would be this. Methods and etudes are all well and good, but remember that the goal here is to make music. No matter what level you are at, take time during each practice session to just have fun. Play something that you like, experiment, make stuff up, try to apply what you’re learned to other styles of music. Remember, you are not an athlete in training … you are a musician.

[Guitar Slim]

LOL, daniel711

I WAS forced to go though all of the Sor studies ... and it WAS excruciating!

But, like I said, that was in college. Definitely not necessary for the casual player.

[Bobd]

Slim,

I was talking about the Carcassi Method and not the 25 studies. In my original post I did mention that I read a lot of reviews about how this method is old and out of date. That's what was adding to my confusion.

I actually went out at lunch today and looked thru the Noad book. It's a bit too beginner for me. I'm now leaning towards getting Vol. 2 of Shearers Classic Guitar Technique(not the new versions) and just going thru that. I also will go thru Parkenings Vol. II to learn the upper positions a string at a time. I like that method. Also, I have the Shearer supplements , Scale pattern Studies and Slur and Ornamentations.

I think I'll pass on the Carcassi method and later get the 25 studies, the Sor studies and the Giuliani Studies.

Then, when I'm completely overwhelmed, I'll get a teacher.

[vgfigue]

With the exception of Carcassi, I have all the books previously mentioned. In fact, I have most of what people consider the ten most popular books around. I would start with Shearer Vol. 1. It's mostly about technique. Real good stuff! I'm a fan of Sagreras. Every teacher I've had liked Noad, but there is just something about Sagreras that I can put my fingers on. Like one previous writer said, the notation is great. It has lots and lots of excersises and seems to increase very gradually. Of all the methods I've used this is the one I like, this seems to give the best results. I've also noticed that most of my friends who have taken classes in Latin American or Spain prefer this one. Not sure why. The other methods have translations in Spanish too.

[horton]

I agree with arby. Have a look at Sagreras. His exercixes are melodic with pleasing harmony. They progress in a sequence that usually introduces one new element at a time. He gives nnotations for both hands. I especially like how well he sets out fingering and progressions for the left hand; he seems always to have your fingers in exactly the best place to move for the next note or chord.

[Bobd]

I took another look at the Carcassi Method last night. I think I'm going to use some of it. It's sectioned out in keys. So you get a pages of exercises in each key. It really drills you on the notes in that particular scale. I like it. I figure Carcassi plus Shearers Classic Guitar Technique 1&2, Segovias' Sor Studies and bits and pieces from Parkening 1&2 I should be good for a while.

[GSI Fan]

Bobd...that's it? Those six will only keep you busy until next week. Then what? :wink:

[brian richardson]

Bobd,
i learned through the carcassi method.
covers just about everything. plus the
little pieces in each key section are pretty.
good luck.

fan, how goes the villa lobos :twisted:

[GSI Fan]

Bri,

I've been done with Lobos for some time now. Remember...2 days and all of them somehow ended up buried in the drawer. :shock: :roll: :twisted: :wink:

[brian richardson]

shoot-you learn fast 8)

[GSI Fan]

Bri...

Maybe I conveyed the wrong message. I looked the Lobos over real good like...got dizzy...laughed...looked at them one more time...laughed even harder...then put them in the drawer the next day. I'll revisit them some day. I'm stuck on pages 16 & 17 of Parkening Vol I. That whole notion of striking the string differently, and that preparing - completing -preparing - completing. Good Lord!!! I own a boat load of guitars ya' know...so, when do I get around to learning a song or two play on them? :evil:

[brian richardson]

:oops: i remember now.
it's not the kill-it's the thrill of the chase :twisted: