As the title of his book attests, guitarist and musicologist Martín Pedreira presents a methodical treatment addressing the most highly refined guitar techniques. In my opinion, we should not confuse the methodical with the routine, because the latter does not facilitate the completion of any task. We applaud Pedreira for his rigorous vision of instrumental practice and his meticulous attention to the physical-motor aspects of the instrumentalist. This reference book is worthy of frequent consultation for its valuable suggestions. Leo Brouwer This comprehensive reference book integrates the historical, structural, technical, and ergonomic aspects of classic guitar performance with the individual player’s cultural, intellectual, creative, and emotional facets in what the author calls a psychophysiological approach to interpretation. In addition to its emphasis on ergonomic posture and technique, the book includes over 200 short musical excerpts by Sor, Giuliani, Coste, Tárrega, Barrios, Montoya, Ponce, Pujol, Villa-Lobos, Rodrigo, Brouwer and others— illustrating practically every aspect of classic and flamenco guitar technique. This unique Wholistic Perspective of Technique Through Repertoire will be useful to teachers, aspiring composers, and to students and professionals forming recital and concert programs. Given the author’s extensive survey of technique and repertoire from an ergonomic point of view, it is likely that even seasoned concert artists and teachers will find something new of intense interest to share with their audiences and students. No classic guitarist’s library would be complete without this landmark book! The author’s goal in presenting this multifaceted approach is to provide theoretical and practical coordinates for improving guitar interpretation while acknowledging the player’s intellectual and emotional contributions. While there is no companion recording for this book, many of its examples can be heard in their entirety on YouTube. The inclusion of numerous quotes from renowned guitar virtuosos and other instrumentalists, plus statements by non-musician artists, scientists, and psychophysical experts from the Renaissance to the present day — emphasize the wholistic nature of this book. Readers are encouraged to put everything they have into their performances, including technique and musicianship, of course, but also general cultural knowledge and, yes – personal experience, feelings and even spirituality in order to: “… Enchant instead of astonishing the audience… [and] play more for the heart than for the eyes.” – Alexandre Lavignac, La Educación Musical

The method Ergonomic guitar technique takes the individual behind the instrument as its starting point, thus creating a technique that makes the best use of the human resources. The method deals not only with the guitar technique, but also discusses the playing in relation to physical and psychological well-being. This is a translated and revised edition that, among other supplements such as the right and left hand exercises by Mauro Giuliani, also features the collection of caprices Capricci Dinamarca op 7.

The premise of Kitharologus is that Guitar technique is made up of a limited number of procedures with an unlimited number of applications. Therefore, a sound technical methodology is not one that tries to cover all possible forms of a given procedure, but rather one that identifies and trains the essential mechanism which makes the procedure, in all its forms, possible. Covering all grades from novice to expert, this book is certain to be enthusiastically embraced by any classical guitarist wishing to maximize his technique.

Here's a book intended to challenge you. Here’s a book meant to inspire you. This book is a wake-up call to the global problems and roadblocks for you as a guitarist. This book is meant to be a reality check. Even if guitar playing is a hobby for you, your level of enjoyment and satisfaction will increase exponentially if you get better, start to like your playing and sound, and then continue to move forward. But if you aspire to be a part-time gigging and recording musician or full-time musician/guitarist, this book is filled with the ten reasons that are seriously holding you back. (It might even give you enough clues to help you teach guitar lessons for years to come!) I want you to attack any or all of these problems that apply to you, and get your momentum back as a guitarist. I’ve always believed that the expression “momentum builds motivation” is the key to developing as a musician. Once you’re truly excited about your playing, your creativity, and your growth, amazing things can happen with your music. If you’re here reading a book called “Why You Suck at Guitar” then it means that you’re finally ready to deal with those issues that plague aspiring musicians everywhere. It means that you’re brave. Brave enough to face the facts. I wrote this to help you, and not to make you feel bad — or worse — about your music. This is your wake-up call — a musician-to-musician intervention — with the goal of helping you get back on the right path. Music should be fun, and it’s always fun to get better. I wrote this to help all guitarists because I know that if we don’t like our sound, our abilities, or our playing, then music isn’t fun at all. It’s an annoying feeling. By the way, if you’re just looking for a book of guitar exercises, that’s not what you’ll find here. If you wanted to buy another book of riffs that some random musician-author thinks every guitarist in the world should know, that’s fine -- but maybe you don’t understand what being a real musician means. What you need is clear. You need a personal sound — and that takes a very personal, grounded approach. That means that you need to deal with some big, global issues in your music-making and not worry about which new lick or riff will suddenly transform your playing. On the other hand, if you’ve already totally decided what you — as a guitarist — need to do to get better, but you’re kind of pissy and stubborn about it, then may I suggest that you just go and do that thing. Don’t read this book to see if I can or will change your mind. Do what you want! Follow your musician instincts. If you pretty much know what you want as a musician, and you already have a sense about what you need to work on, seriously, just practice that! But if you do need some more input, some more ideas, some feedback, and a dose of outside inspiration, then you are my ideal reader because: 1) You want to get better now and 2) You admit that you don’t have all the answers 3) You have enough of an open mind to check out what I’m going to say and work on removing those roadblocks that apply to you.

The Rules of Work provides the reader with a useful guide for solving ergonomics problems. It is written for those professionals who understand the basic theories of ergonomics and are ready to put them into practice. Tools essential for implementing and managing an ergonomically sound environment are provided. For instance, the book provides a methodology for assessing the safety program of a workplace. It also outlines the main procedures and protocols for identifying and treating employees with injuries due to ergonomic flaws. Unlike many other books on the subject, this book goes beyond the manufacturing environment and covers office ergonomics as well. The focus is on the safety and health of the individual worker. This text is essential for ergonomists and industrial health and safety professionals.

Not a "method" in the traditional sense, this book explains what happens in the finest classical guitar playing and what in turn the student can do to mold his or her playing to that ideal.