Introduction to "Guitar Playing and How it Works" (Cont)

The musical material in this book is organised in a logical fashion. However the material is not intended to be studied in the strict sequence presented! The sequence is important however in that it evolves from first principles, but as any teacher will tell you this is not how people learn!

Dip into the material in whatever sequence suits your style of learning.

Here is the sequence presented in the book:

Chapter 1 - Your body is the instrument
Chapter 2 - Right Hand is your voice
Chapter 3 - Rhythm is Movement
Chapter 4 - Left Hand - Tight Rope Walker
Chapter 5 - Scales on One String
Chapter 6 - Tonic and Dominant - Major keys
Chapter 7 - Tonic and Dominant - Minor keys
Chapter 8 - Chromatic and diminished
Chapter 9 - Putting it all together


The musical content has been created specifically to involve the student on a daily basis with the basic building blocks of music. Scales and arpeggios are the living, breathing language, the alphabet or "common phrases" which when put together form a musical language. Tonic and dominant chords are shown alone, and also as they relate to the basic scales.

Practicing with this type of material prepares the student for "real music". They will connect scales, chords, arpeggios using common rhythms. The scales are harmonised with the most important chords.

The material can be played in duet, or with any number of players. The material overall is limited in complexity as it is intended to be memorised - and then practised from memory, not strummed through while staring (blankly) at the printed page!

Fingerings for left and right hand are supplied. Developing good fingering is essential to progress on a stringed instrument. The best players use the most efficient fingering systems.

One major change from the first edition (1998) is the removal of 3 octave scales and arpeggios. In compensation the 1 and 2 octave material is now presented much more clearly. This book now focusses much more clearly and in depth on the basics and less on the frills.

Hopefully this book will in a small way serve to generate constructive dialogues between student and teacher, and student and their guitar, and help aspiring guitarists realise their goals.

Enjoy!

Peter Inglis.

Sydney, Australia. 2003.

Please note that...

"Guitar Playing and how it works"

... was superceded in December 2007 by...

"Guitar Playing and How it Works - 3rd Edn."

Back to "Guitar Playing and how it works"