ISBN 9781619119840.

Acclaimed fingerstyle guitarist El McMeen has arranged beautiful music for guitar from the harp, song, pipe andhymn traditions. Utilizing the evocative C-G-D-G-A-D guitartuning, the author describes the appeal of each tune presentedand notates the arrangement in detailed tablature and music. The arrangements are a result of a process of experimentation -with ornamentation and counterpoint lines playing in differentkeys and registers. Emphasis is placed on creating and preserv-ing the flow of a piece, sensitivity to accenting, and avoidingany 'jarring' elements, while at the same time following theauthor's Three-second rule (a guitarist must do something in-teresting every 3 seconds of a solo to sustain the listener'sinterest.) Each tune contains brief performance notes and, insome cases, lyrics. To aid in the performance of these songs,this book has a Low-C Chord Chart. The pieces included have very diverse origins, yet they have two common elements - they were not originally composed for the guitar and they are certain to be treasured!

ISBN 9781619117679.

Is the beginning stage of learning the guitar proving to be a frustrating experience? Do you lack songs which you can play from start to finish? Do the ones that you can play all the way through not sound much like their original versions? I have been teaching these pieces to my beginner students for quite some time now, and the success rate has been remarkable. Most methods start by having the student slowly move back and forth between basic chords using only down strokes, playing chords one note at a time to make sure all the notes ring clear. This book offers something much differentaplaying music! The pieces are designed to target trouble areas often experienced by beginners of the instrument: arching the fingers enough in order to let all the notes of a chord ring clearly. Rather than just droning on through a series of chords, musical patterns are created so that as you learn proper technique youare also playing something musical. The results have been better than expected. Focusing on figures that demand proper technique and some of the most common strumming patterns found in popular music, many of my students are able to execute beginner and intermediate level songs within a few weeks of picking up the instrument rather than a few months. Additionally, the dreaded F chord, or root 6 major barre chord, often rings clearly with all 6 notes being heard upon the first attempt. This book will help you achieve your guitar related goals quickly, more efficiently, and most importantly, more enjoyably. Includes access to online video.