The Christopher Parkening Guitar Method, Volume 1: Guitar Technique

This is a terrific method book that I encourage classical guitar teachers and students to buy. The photographs and explanations of his points are clear and complete. What I like most about this book is the selection of music and how it is organized. The pieces and exercises come in perfect order. This particular volume limits all notes to within the first five frets, so more advanced players will want to also get volume two. I'm an advanced level guitarist and I went through this book very carefully, page by page, so that I would be able to use it effectively with students, to develop sight reading ability, and also to have the feel of playing pieces that I had total control over. This book will be my main source when I teach my students. There is one minor flaw: in the beginning of the book he gives an alterante sitting position for women that should not be used. Women should sit the same as men when they play classical guitar (unless they're wearing a skirt). It's acceptable for women to sit the same as men now when they play classical guitar. Some reviewers have made negative commnets about his "bible thumping" in the book. There's only one page of bible references in the book, at the very end, and even though I'm not releigious, I'm fine with it. He just talks about how his releigion is an inspiration to his music and he gives a few bible quotes. Big deal. You'd have to be a fool to not get this book -- the best method book I know of -- because of these few bible comments. You can really see how much this great guitarist tried to reach out to others and teach them how to play through this book.

The one flaw that most classical guitar methods have is that the authors assume that a student has "proir experience". This is not the case with "The Christopher Parkening Method Vol 1" Mr. Parkening" starts the beginning student with a solid base of technic and prepares the student for a well rounded course in concert guitar. This is a well paced and consistent method, teaching a well rounded technic. This method is not boring or overly academic. There is also a brief history of the classical guitar from its Spanish origans to international prominance. I highly recommand this method for the aspiring concert guitarist as well as for the teacher.

This book is extremely well written and complete, covering everything a beginner needs to know, and in my case, things an intermediate student never learned but should have. I'm sure I will refer back to it as long as I play. It's just so "complete". There are very detailed drawings and photos of how to hold, finger, and stroke the strings, backed up by the written word. Everything is very specific. The musical pieces are quite well chosen and lead the student through a natural progression from easy to difficult. Mr Parkening and his collaborators obviously have great insight as educators and took great care in assembling this book. The only criticism I have is the cover art picture of Christopher Parkening, which looks like it was taken back in the 70's. I don't think I'd leave this one laying around on the coffee table. I'm looking forward to purchasing his second volume.

This does the best job that I have seen of covering everything about starting the classical guitar. Parkening doesn't spend much space on choosing a guitar, but, then, I'd imagine that anybody who buys the book already has a guitar. He does spend lots of space on holding the guitar properly, sitting properly, and positioning both hands properly (I benefited from this last, even though I've been a guitarist for thirty-five years). He goes on to cover tuning and the two basic right-hand strokes.The music is arranged in a logical order, getting progressively more difficult through the book, including several duets for student and teacher. Every piece is appropriate for a beginner, and no piece involves anything that has not been taught.The book ends with Mr Parkening's own views on what a musician should try to achieve. Although I do not share his Christian faith, I found his views stimulating and inspiring.This book is so good that the only negative comment that I have is that it would be even better if spiral bound to lie open on a music stand.

The Christopher Parkening Guitar Method, Volume 1, revised 1998, is a comprehensive approach to teaching classical guitar. Written by an accomplished premier classical guitarist, it is not just a collection of exercises and guitar pieces, but includes historical background, basic technique, lots of textual information, photos and a useful appendix of terms. While a few of the photos in the original edition which should have had better lighting are included, this is easily overlooked since many have been added which are of far superior quality. I recommend this text for first time students of classical guitar who will not just learn the rudiments, but beautiful guitar pieces as well. Having said this, there is no substitute for a teacher... don't go it alone!