Pumping Nylon: The Classical Guitarist's Technique Handbook

This book is for classical guitarists who have already learned the basics and seek to improve their technique. It has a variety of valuable exercises aimed at improving and mastering specific techniques such as tremolo, rasgueados, etc. It also contains Giuliani's famous 120 right-hand studies. One of its best features is the daily warm-up routine, consisting of a solid 20-30 minutes of exercises involving many of the techniques covered in the book. It also contains valuable material on nail shaping. Tenant obviously put great care into this book, and it shows. Most importantly, my playing greatly improved while working conscientiously through it. One gripe: Tennant would have done well to lay more stress on certain points. Until I got a teacher, I wasn't equipped to recognize which suggestions were especially important. This is true of many others who will use this book. For example, emptying is crucial. True, Tennant mentions this repeatedly, but he might have more strongly stressed just how invaluable this is. Perhaps in the next edition.

I am a self-taught, early intermediate player. Following the warm-up routine made me aware of a couple of weak points in my technique. Just becoming aware of the problems has gone a long way to correcting them. I look forward to spending more time working with the exercises. I am certain that anyone who puts in some diligent work with Pumping Nylon will become a better player. I was surprised at how quickly I improved by following Mr. Tennant's instructions. About his controversial advice on nail shaping: it's an individual thing so you have to do your own experimenting. Even if his ideas on nail shaping (a small section in the book) don't work for you, I'm certain that the rest of the book will help you improve. It is well worth the price. Be aware that this is not a method book and you do need to be able to read standard notation for this edition.

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.

I had always been put off by the title - sounding more appropriate for Rock-style playing and players. It wasn't until I learned more about the author that I decided to get this book.I had always thought of myself as an advanced-beginner (not quite intermediate), based on having gone through a couple of years of private lessons when I was a teenager and the types of pieces I was able to play. Nearly 30 years removed from those lessons, I was depressed - thinking that I had reached my ultimate playing level.I've only had the book a week, and am working on the finger independence exercises. It has made me realize that instruction manuals normally consist of graduated pieces without much guidance. These exercises aren't for audiences (i.e. not much to listen to) and I don't think I would have appreciated them as a youngster, but at this point in my life they have rekindled my enthusiam.The fingernail shaping will always have loud detractors. The truth of the matter is, if you are happy with your current technique stay with it. If you're like me and have experimented with different nail shapes without instruction, the author gives a detailed explanation of his method. I plan to read and re-read that section to see if it makes sense to me before making up my mind.I titled my review as I did because I feel that there is need for playing pieces as the other instruction books have, and that many people may not be receptive to this type of instruction. That is perfectly normal. However, I think that at some point if the student continues playing, this book will help open the doors to the world beyond beginning-level pieces and continue to be a valued reference regardless of how skilled the student becomes. 100 years from now, this book will be considered a "classic" (and will still be in print).

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.