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Title: Solo Guitar Playing/Book 1 with CD by Frederick M. Noad ISBN: 0-8256-9400-0 Publisher: Music Sales Corp Pub. Date: November, 1994 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $29.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.71 (7 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Excellent Introduction to Both Techniques and Composers
Comment: Not only does this book introduce students to the essential techniques, but also to a wide variety of composers from various countries and periods. I feel this is important as it allows the beginner to not only gain an appreciation for the contributions of these composers, but also allows the student to determine the area of focus they would like to pursue in the future, whether that be a preference for Baroque period or Spanish composers, etc.
If there is a flaw, it is found in the accompanying CD. Students, such as myself, can be mislead in what is attainable. For example, the first piece on the CD is called "Spanish Study", which sounds like a simplified version of Leyenda. Nevertheless, if you hear how fast Frederick Noad plays, it is extremely discouraging because there is no way in the world 99.99% of beginning students are going to be able to play this first piece at tempo. It leaves you feeling, "if this is what is expected of a beginning student on the first piece, maybe this instrument is way beyond my capacity, and I should just look for an easier instrument." So, I feel the CD would have been better done if Frederick Noad had played the pieces at a tempo that is realistic for a beginning student. To me, the purpose of an accompanying CD is not to show how a professional would play it, but to show you how you should sound if you play it correctly for the student level to which the book is targeted.
Secondly, one thing beginning students may not know about is a "digital editing", which I'm sure was done on some of the pieces played, since the average for classical guitar is 100 digital edits per 20 minutes of music. An excellent example of this is in the beautiful "El Testamen de Amelia". If the student tries to reproduce those phenomenal artificial harmonics that Frederick Noad plays on the CD, you can spend weeks trying to reproduce such a crisp, clean bell-like sound. Fortunately, my own teacher, who has been playing for over 40 years, pointed this out to me and showed me what can realistically be expected in terms of sound produced in artificial harmonics. So, my point is the student can spend many frustrating weeks trying to produce a sound that is exactly like that on the CD, not knowing it's impossible since we can't digitally edit our playing.
Consequently, you might want to just buy the book without the CD as it can be more harmful than it is helpful in your progress.
One other shortcoming is the lack of a glossary of musical terms used in the pieces. For example, in the same piece mentioned above (El Testamen de Amelia), he uses the term "rall. poco". I spent considerable time going back through the entire book, as well as searching the Internet, trying to figure out what that meant. I was not able to find out until my next visit to see my own teacher.
With the exception of the two shortcomings mentioned, it's an excellent book, and I'm glad I chose the Noad instruction books over others. The final series of Tarrega and Llobet pieces make the end of the journey through Book 1 worth it all.
Rating: 5
Summary: Classical Guitar made easy?
Comment: I think this is a great book for your instrumental needs. I got tired of reading tablature and am taking up classical guitar. Mr. Noad lays the music right before your eyes. The Beggining music is easy to learn and keeps your confidence high. When you get into it they have some very nice pieces, Spanish Study, for example is very good. I highly suggest this book for anyone who is looking to play Classical Guitar.
Rating: 5
Summary: A very good place to start
Comment: This is the book I started with and I'm very glad I did! Noad is probably the most accessible guitar method author around. I'm self-taught and believe me there are many ways you can go wrong by being your own teacher. If you like the dummies genre of computer books you'll love this method. He doesn't assume you know anything to start with or try to impress with his advanced mastery. But he does have an intimate knowledge of what a beginner needs to know and how to impart that knowledge. His book one and two are an excellent example of what separates a great guitarist and teacher from just a great guitarist. But you need to read and re-read the text very carefully. There are subtle points, which if glossed over will cause untold pain and cursing later on. But it's all right there in the book. If you heed his advice and study twice as carefully as if you had an instructor whom could catch those mistakes then you'll be ok!
All these guitar methods (including this one) have one glaring deficiency: Lack of enough and varied practice material. Maybe I'm a little dense but classical guitar is not easy. It takes time and a LOT of practice! One can only repeat the same few lines of notation so many times without getting bored to tears. So I solved the problem by getting just about every method book known to man. After the first couple of books it starts to flow and become fun! Each book goes over the same concepts in a little different way with of course different practice pieces. The flaws of one book are cancelled by another and it becomes exciting as you move faster and faster through each text. What was once arduous becomes smooth and pleasant! The Carcassi book is great once you are a little more adept. It's purportedly for beginners but is rather dry and pedantic and a tough slog if you're just starting. There's some great stuff in there however if you already have the basics of notation down. I found it very useful for learning the higher positions. The Christopher Parkening books are great. He starts right out and keeps going with very pleasant sounding practice pieces, which helps keep your enthusiasm high. But like most others (unlike Noad) he leaves out small but crucial details that leave one scratching ones head or throwing projectiles. But if you've done Noad first you just say AH! I know what that is! Jason Waldron is also good and straight forward, easy to understand. (Although I wish he would come out with his second book already!) He has a whole gaggle of songbooks (6) filled with familiar folk tunes, some classical and including CDs. They are very pleasant, easy, confidence building practice pieces. But I prefer Baroque. Node does a very excellent book of Baroque pieces. He also has a Renaissance book with some very pretty tunes. What a joy to read and play such beautiful pieces from hundreds of years ago! It's definitely worth the work!
Now, to end on a bit of a heretical note. I had to teach myself because I really don't like the sound of nylon strings on the classical guitar! I wanted to play baroque music on an electric or steel string acoustic guitar. Just like each person plays every piece a little differently and with his or her own interpretation, I wanted to be able to shape my own personal sound with electronics. Besides, I just like the sound of steel!
So, I use a flat pick to replace the thumb and steel finger picks on the last three fingers. As an added bonus you don't have to fuss with all that fingernail growing, filing, business! I like it and it works pretty well although I still haven't quite figured out how to do harmonics... but I'm working on it! Who knows, you might want to try it also? So, I hope you come to enjoy the classical guitar as much as I do. Persevere through the initial pain and you will never be sorry you did!
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Title: Solo Guitar Playing: Bk 2 (with CD) by Frederick M. Noad ISBN: 0825617987 Publisher: Music Sales Corp Pub. Date: August, 1999 List Price(USD): $29.95 |
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Title: 100 Graded Classical Guitar Studies by Frederick M. Noad ISBN: 0711906122 Publisher: Amsco Music Pub. Date: April, 1999 List Price(USD): $22.95 |
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Title: The Christopher Parkening Guitar Method - Volume 1 (Revised) : The Art and Technique of the Classical Guitar by Christopher Parkening ISBN: 0793585201 Publisher: Hal Leonard Pub. Date: 01 August, 1997 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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Title: Fifty Easy Classical Guitar Solos by Jerry Willard ISBN: 0825617294 Publisher: Amsco Music Pub. Date: March, 1999 List Price(USD): $17.95 |
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Title: Pumping Nylon by Scott Tennant ISBN: 088284721X Publisher: Alfred Publishing Company Pub. Date: July, 1995 List Price(USD): $11.95 |
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