ASAP CLASSICAL GUITAR, Learn How to Play the Classical Way, James Douglas Esmond. CD TABLATURE.
LIBRO PER CHITARRA CON CD E TABLATURE
Per chi incomincia a suonare la chitarra classica, ASAP, As Soon As Possible, con il significato di: "al più presto possibile".
Serie: Guitar
Editore: Centerstream Publications
Copertina morbida con CD - TAB
Autore: James Douglas Esmond
Teacher-friendly or for self-study, this book/CD pack for beginning to intermediate guitarists features classical pieces and exercises presented progressively in notes and tab, with each explained thoroughly and performed on the accompanying CD. A great way to learn to play ASAP! 36 pages.
List of piece playing tips and explanations of exercises
R.H.Exercise Group #1
An easy introduction to the most basic finger patterns used in these pieces as well as good reading for the open strings.
R.H.Exercise Group #2
Moreindex and middle combinations. Start slowly and work for balance in the hand and an even tone.
L.H.Exercise #1
Stay on one string for as long as necessary to get perfect. Moving each finger deliberately and independent of others.
L.H.Exercise #2
Work to keep fingers down until they absolutely need to move.
Spanish Theme
Use this as a reinforcing piece for first position reading by saying notes out loud while playing. Index and Middle throughout for the top line. Work this line separately for awhile before adding the Bassline.
Ode to Joy
This piece, like the last is introduced in two parts and the Bassline will require a bit more attention.
Minuet in C
This piece should be approached like the last two but the parts require even more attention. Follow the left hand fingerings very closely. Get the left hand and the Bassline very good before adding together.
R.H.Exercise Group #3
These arpeggiations will be useful and comprehensive in regards to learning the next pieces in the book. Take one at at a time and practice very slowly.
L.H.Exercise #3
The L.H. and RH. should be practiced equally in this exercise. Practice the right hand alone and don't go too fast.
Pastoral Theme
Feel the left hand being free even thought the 3rd finger is rooted to the low G. Practice the top line by itself as well.
Gymnopedie #1
This is the first Chordal piece and therefore working on it by "Blocking" the left hand and just practicing the motions that the left hand uses from ms. to ms. will be beneficial. Also practice the Bassline and right hand motions alone.
New World Theme
Approach this piece the same way as the first three "Break-Down" pieces.
Etude in C
For this piece just looking at the tablature and practicing the arpeggio patterns by themselves with no left hand is a good way to start. Then incorporate blocking the left hand motions as well before putting together slowly.
Etude in A minor
Approach this piece the same way as the Etude in C.
Musette
Approach this piece by breaking up the two lines, but pay very close attention to the top line. De-emphasize the
Bass notes as much as possible. A light touch when holding down the repeated C and G is good for the other fingers.
Academic Festival Overture
Practice the chords that happen on every other beat to start. Try to de-emphasize the middle voices as well.
A Dance
Get familiar with the repeating Bassline in this piece so it can be put into the background while the top voice and middle voices can focused on more. Follow the fingering strictly.
Simple Lamentation
Practice the Bassline a lot by itself, being careful to shape it and work on having a good volume and even tone.
Soldier's March
Practice the chords without worrying about the rhythm at first and then after working the RH. motions, combine.
Sunrise
Approach this piece in the same way as Musette, being careful to have a light left hand, especially when moving up
the neck.
Reflections
Practice the RH. arpeggio pattern by itself before learning the L.H. Focus on some of the harder chord changes.
Adagio
Practice the melody by itself a lot to get a very good, even sound. Make sure to de-emphasize the middle voices.
Musetta's Waltz
Use the same approach as with Adagio, take your time to plant the L.H./ RH. fingers on the ending 8th note run
Cannon
Practice the repeating Bassline first to get it very solid, then work on each 4 measure piece before connecting them.
Eine Kleine Nachtmusic
Special care on the opening octaves should be taken. Be careful not to tense up the right hand on repeated fingerings throughout.
Foreword - How to use the Book
This book, while organized progressively, is constituted of all pieces that are developmental in nature for a beginner's technique. It is therefore recommended but not necessary to go through the book in a stepwise fashion. In addition the pieces can be broken in to several technique categories( i,m studies, arpeggio studies, chordal, etc.) and some pieces fall in to several of these categories. To ease the student into reading on the guitar the pieces have been arrange in very manageable keys, no more than 1# used.
I strongly suggest following all the fingerings that are suggested, however, if there are places in the book where a teacher or student wishes to change a fingering then that should be fine as long as the student adheres to it. There are many options for fingerings on the guitar and the important thing to remember is that the student is building what I like to call a "Technique Memory" and that each piece, or section of a piece can be seen as a set of directions that will, if practiced carefully, be absorbed and adhered readily to the next similar piece. As Guitarists, we are always building towards more difficult pieces but in a way always dealing with some of the same as well so it makes sense to stick closely to fingerings for some time.
Write in even more if necessary.
The exercises and 1st section of Broken-Down pieces are meant to really help the student ease into the book. The exercises do not have to be mastered before studying the pieces, especially due to the reading aspect, but should be incorporated into a daily practice routine.
I hope you enjoy the pieces and find this to be fun and helpful on your journey as a Classical guitarist.
Biography
James Douglas Esmond started playing the guitar
seriously in his teens. He received his Bachelor's
of Music Theory and Classical Guitar performance
from Ithaca College, Ithaca, N.Y.Upon graduating
he became involved in church music. He has held
positions in various churches, as a guitarist, organist,
singer and conductor. In addition to his church
work, he also teaches Guitar and Piano at Blue Sky
Studios in Delmar, N.Y., and writes and arranges
compositions in various genres and styles. He currently
serves as the Organist/Music Coordinator at
Newtonville Methodist Church in Loudonville, N.Y.
He resides in Albany N.Y.with his wife Meighan.
Table of Contents and C.D. Track List
Exercises and Pieces in graded order, with playing Tips
Foreword and Biography
Track 1. -R.H.Exercise Group #1
Track 2. - R.H.Exercise Group #2 .
Track 3. -L.H.Exercise #1 .
Track 4. -L.H.Exercise #2 .
Track 5. -Spanish Theme (Melody and Bassline) .
Track 6. -Spanish Theme .
Track 7. - Ode to Joy (Melody and Bassline) .
Track 8. - Ode to Joy .
Track 9. - Minuet in C (Melody and Bassline) .
Track 10. - Minuet in C .
Track 11. -R.H.Exercise Group #3 .
Track 12. -L.H.Exercise #3 .
Track 13. - Pastoral Theme .
Track 14. - Gymnopedie #1 .
Track 15. - New World Theme .
Track 16. -Etude in C .
Track 17. -Etude in A minor .
Track 18. -Musette .
Track 19. - Academic Festival Overture .
Track 20. - A Dance .
Track 21. - Simple Lamentation .
Track 22. - Soldier's March .
Track 23. - Sunrise .
Track 24. - Reflections .
Track 25. - Adagio .
Track 26. - Musetta's Waltz .
Track 27. - Cannon .
Track 28. - Eine Kleine Nachtmusic .