There is plenty of music sheet for classical guitar of various styles, directions and levels of difficulty. There is also enough methodical literature for all tastes. However, every year there are appearing new schools, methodical collections and exercises. That?s why the art of playing classical guitar is not standing still.

During my pedagogical activity rather often I faced the problem of searching or creating small exercises for a particular technique and solution of a particular problem. What didn?t suit me in the existing studies? First of all, the monotony of technical material (the accent only on the left hand technique of a performer, while the concentration of sound control is mostly in the right hand; a limited quantity of technical methods: arpeggios, chords, passagework technique). Secondly, it?s an amount of musical material. As a rule, the main efforts were aimed to memorize the text, which distracted from the very purpose of etudes, the work on a certain type of technical difficulties.
That is how the collection «Unusual Studies» appeared.
What is their «singularity»?
The collection is conditionally divided into several sections in the order of increasing the complexity of material, and it concludes with three «Concert Studies». They are distinguished by a more developed emotional atmosphere and rather high level of complexity and size. These studies require a certain level of preparation and can diversify a performer?s concert program. Nevertheless, they are only an addition to the basic material, which is focused primarily on the elementary and intermediate levels of training.
When it comes to the ?singularity?, focus is shifted to the right hand, with the detailed fingering of the right hand. The fingers «p» and «a» are introduced more actively, paying attention to the alignment of their sound, attack power. It is necessary to strive for full equality of all fingers of the right hand, using fingers «p» and «a» not only when playing bass and melody, but also in arpeggio, passaggio technique (in the middle of an arpeggio or passaggio).
- learning to use touches in a high contrast while playing: staccato/legato. This, in my opinion, is extremely necessary to already assimilate at the initial stage of training.
- active use of the alternation in the musical material of open and closed strings. Control over the strength of the sound of open strings, timbre ratio.
- using the high positions of the guitar?s fingerboard with open strings without excessive physical effort .
- rather small size of studies. This allows to concentrate directly on the technical difficulties, rather than on memorizing.

I hope that this collection will help you to achieve the desired result faster and more effectively, will bring not only methodical benefit, but also aesthetic pleasure.

Item Number: S9.Q49597

Costes 25 Etudes de genre opus 38 and 6 studies from the Method de Guitare by Fernando Sor are standard repertoire for solo guitar.

ISBN 9781619117266.

This book of triadic concepts is as much for the ears as it is for the hands. Playing harmonized scales in triadic form is very helpful for the progressing guitarist. By working through these exercises, the guitarist will learn the harmonic sound of each key and develop a strong sense of melodic and harmonic voice leading. These studies contain interesting melodic content and are very fun to play. The keys are presented in tonic major and tonic minor rather than tonic major and relative minor. This is the second book in Mel Bay's Achieving Guitar Artistry series and follows the initial Linear Etudes text. Readers should develop a routine of practicing one key per day for the best results. Mastery of this book will do much to enhance the guitarist's sense of voice leading, note reading and improvising.

English.

This edition presents all Schulz's known studies, and they demonstrate the composer at his best. Many of the studies are technically demanding, often with focus on specific and sometimes unusual techniques or right-hand fingerings. They also have a rich harmonic language, thus displaying an instrumental and compositional proficiency beyond that of the average guitarist at the time. In quality the Schulz studies may be compared to those by Giulio Regondi.

ISBN 9781619119734.

Applicable to classic, flatpick or fingerstyle guitar, this excellent text relates scales and modes to chord construction, solo playing, and fretboard position a must for the advancing guitarist! Includes many outstanding original guitar studies to teach the guitarist how to apply the theoretical knowledge gained from under-standing, playing, and hearing the scales.

Ernesto García de León's 20 Studies, Op. 50 is an ingenious collection thataddresses fundamental questions about how to develop and maintain guitar technique. It is designed toserve guitar teachers and students as well as performers and concert audiences. Since it explores notjust the technique of our instrument, but its musicaland expressive aspects as well, it makes daily technical work enjoyable, not tedious?even for someone only beginning to study the guitar.

For guitar teachers and students, 20 Studies canserve as a basic curriculum or it can complementother methods or other sets of studies. For performers, it provides a complete overview and tune-up ofthe guitar technique in one graded set of daily studies that can be played in less than half an hour. Thiswarm-up then provides the player delicious concertrepertoire?as the complete set, or in smaller groups,or in combinations with other music by ErnestoGarcía de León.

These musical exercises are also useful to rectify,reform or rehabilitate the guitar technique.

The materials out of which the twenty studies aredeveloped are first idiomatic patterns of the guitarand then the variety of musical styles so appealing toand characteristic of Ernesto García de León. For example, classic examples of the music of theCaribbean coastal basin in general and thecomposer's native state Veracruz in particular appearunvarnished in #12 (a rumba veracruzana) and #20(a son). The other studies blend elements of Mexicanmusic in general?songs of the revolution, nativedances, boleros, children's songs, and so forth?withelements of European classical music, Beatles, NewAge music, jazz and other musical styles, in a wayintended to appeal to the player and to the listener.

As the summary on pages 34 and 35 illustrates,the first sixteen studies explore basic formulas for theright hand. At the same time, they also address thefull range of left hand techniques?including balanceand positioning, independence of the fingers, longitudinal and transversal movements, shifts by substitution, by displacement, by jump, and by positions,barring, stretches and contractions, damping, pivoting, crossed movements, and movements with fixedfingers. The last four studies concern the slur.

Though each of the basic right- and left-hand formulas explored in the twenty studies is relativelysimple in itself, each is a building block of a solidtechnique. Mastery of the complete set of twentystudies?less than half an hour of music?integratesall the formulas and develops the technique to a levelat which an enormous range of the guitar repertoirebecomes available.

English.

This volume brings together what is known of Aguado's life, and gives full details about the publication of his music. It also includes the full text of Jose Romanillos' article "Dionisio Aguado - the man". Also included are the following two publications: The Coleccion de Estudios of 1820, which contains 46 studies and an explanatory text. Aguado's earliest known work, it is the fruit of his intensive study of the guitar in Spain. It was previously thought lost and has only recently come to light. The Nuevo Metodo de Guitarra, opus 6, which is a much simpler method than the elaborate one which Aguado had previously published. It consists of 70 pages, with short musical passages and explanatory text. This is Volume 1 of the Complete Works of Dionisio Aguado.

ISBN 9781619118218.

The aim of this book is to gather in one place a compendium of techniques specific to the classical guitar. Each technique has a written explanation, preliminary exercises and two original compositions, providing the opportunity to use the techniques in a musical context. --Steve Marsh

Mel Bay Publications was founded on Mel's simple pretext of finding a need, and filling it. Mel Bay author, Steve Marsh, continues in that tradition with the publication of The Anthology of Classical Guitar Techniques, a highly original concept that fills a distinct need in the guitar study repertoire. Graded from lower intermediate to higher intermediate in difficulty, this anthology avoids fundamental skills known to most beginners and goes straight to intermediate-level techniques such as: arpeggio, barre, campanella, glissando, harmonics, pizzicato, rapid scales, rasgueado, tambour, tremolo, vibrato, and more. Each of the 32 techniques is illuminated with preliminary studies and two original compositions, all written in standard notation only. If you are ready to take the next step with the classical guitar, this book will improve your technique and musicianship in general, increase your ability to listen to yourself critically, and so lead to more productive practice sessions.

ISBN 9781619119727.

Perhaps one of the most comprehensive books of its type on the market, this exhaustive and intelligent presentation of the myriad of scales and modes makes this a must have text for the guitarist who is interested in developing his skills of jazz improvisation. The highly acclaimed author/teacher and performer Vincent Bredice very carefully moves the student through all the common modes. Each mode is explored thoroughly by using chord and arpeggio studies in a variety of positions and/or inversions. This outstanding text is a wonderful resource for one's library as well as an excellent teaching and learning tool. Since a good musician must hear sounds quickly and accurately, in addition to enhancing one's technical and improvising ability, Jazz Guitar Scales and Modes, will help tremendously with ear training as well. The author emphasizes the importance of being able to play and understand modal scales in first position before moving them up the neck using pattern fingerings. Contains excellent studies lines.

An Hour with the Guitar presents a careful selection of the most beautiful pieces of guitar literature. All the names familiar to every professional and amateur guitarist - Aguado, Carulli, Carcassi, Coste, Giuliani, Sor, and many more - are represented in this collection and ensure much stimulating variety. These pieces, with grades of difficulty progressing from very easy to moderately difficult, will give not only the beginner but also the advanced guitarist some valuable material for this teaching, entertainment and performance. Except for a few very beautiful studies, dry exercises habe been avoided in this book in the hope that every guitarist will use it for his hour of relaxation.

An Hour with the Guitar presents a careful selection of the most beautiful pieces of guitar literature. All the names familiar to every professional and amateur guitarist - Aguado, Carulli, Carcassi, Coste, Giuliani, Sor, and many more - are represented in this collection and ensure much stimulating variety. These pieces, with grades of difficulty progressing from very easy to moderately difficult, will give not only the beginner but also the advanced guitarist some valuable material for this teaching, entertainment and performance. Except for a few very beautiful studies, dry exercises habe been avoided in this book in the hope that every guitarist will use it for his hour of relaxation.

An Hour with the Guitar presents a careful selection of the most beautiful pieces of guitar literature. All the names familiar to every professional and amateur guitarist - Aguado, Carulli, Carcassi, Coste, Giuliani, Sor, and many more - are represented in this collection and ensure much stimulating variety. These pieces, with grades of difficulty progressing from very easy to moderately difficult, will give not only the beginner but also the advanced guitarist some valuable material for this teaching, entertainment and performance. Except for a few very beautiful studies, dry exercises habe been avoided in this book in the hope that every guitarist will use it for his hour of relaxation.

ISBN 9781609746599.

This is the first compilation of guitar music specifically composed for right-hand technique that includes the little finger. The 57 compositions include original pieces in the Easy-Intermediate to Intermediate -Advanced levels by renowned guitarist/composers from Europe, North America, South America and the Caribbean. Music by Ernesto Cordero, Carlos Dorado, Jim Ferguson, David Flynn, Gerald Garcia, John Hall, Ricardo Iznaola, James Lentini, John Oliver, Charles Postlewate, Mirko Schrader, Burkhard Buck Wolters and Luis Zea show the advantages of a five-finger technique in the playing of scales, chords, arpeggios, tremolos and harmonics. They also show the advantages of using the little finger for speed, accuracy, strength and balance. All of these compositions are edited and fingered by Postlewate, pioneer in the use of a five-finger technique. This book is a companion to Anthology of Nineteenth Century Guitar Studies for Five Fingers of the Right Hand (MB21153), compiled and fingered by Leonhard Beck and edited by Charles Postlewate. Standard notation only. In English and Spanish.

ISBN 9781619118515.

Mastering the Classical Guitar, Book 1AA is the first in a progressive series using a wide variety of musical repertoire and educational material to provide a solid technical foundation for classical guitar students, exposing the full range of the instruments potential and repertoire.Book 1A is most appropriate for students with no prior knowledge of the guitar or music theory, or for those who simply want a fresh start with the classic guitar. It is written in three broad sections:A Progressive Studies and Pieces,A Technical ExercisesA andA Rhythmic Reading. Tips on how to integrate the three sections are provided throughout the book. Every chapter begins with exercises written specifically to improve a certain aspect of ones playing, followed by various examples from the classical music repertoire and traditional songs from various cultures.While every aspect of classical guitar technique is clearly described and illustrated, students using this book would still benefit from the advice and constructive feedback of a competent teacher. Consequently, teachers will find opportunities to assert their individual teaching perspectives within this method, making it a perfect road map for the instructor and students musical journey.Written in standard notation only,A Mastering the Classical Guitar, Book 1AA comes with extensive online audio examples. Fingering is kept to a minimum to encourage effective sight reading, allowing teachers and students to annotate their own ideas about digitation and contribute to their own learning process. Includes access to online audio.

Presenting the first volume of the Flat Key Series for guitar: Five Studies in F Major.

I - A short Fernando Sor inspired waltz with a simple melody and sequential interlude.
II - This study features two-voice counterpoint with a brief arpeggiated interlude.
III - This full-on arpeggio study in sextuplets incorporates hammer-ons and pull-offs and includes a brief exploration of the relative minor.
IV - This study fuses a flowing syncopated pattern with extended and altered chords and a smooth melody.
V - Inspired by Astor Piazzolla, this study opens with a chromatic sequence leading into a resolute melody supported by a rich harmony and decorated with quintuplet embellishments.

The Flat Key Series features not often seen keys for guitar to expand the guitarist's harmonic vocabulary and experience. Keep an eye out for additional volumes or contact KPMP for more information.

ISBN 9781619119314.

Mastering the Classical Guitar Book 2B is the fourth book in a carefully graduated method series that uses a broad spectrum of technical exercises, music theory, chord studies, and repertoire to provide a solid technical foundation for the beginning to advanced-intermediate classical guitar student. This book is appropriate for students who have completed Books 1A, 1B and 2A and can read standard notation in the first and second positions. The book is written in three sections: Progressive Studies and Pieces, Technical Exercises, and Chords and Chord Progressions. Tips on how to integrate the three sections are given throughout the book. Mastering the Classical Guitar Book 2B introduces: notes on the second string, ascending and descending slurs, ornamentation, polyphony, and playing in the third and fifth positions. The bookas chord studies venture into new territory of seventh chords and jazz chord progressions. Teachers will welcome the generous number of attractive intermediate-level recital pieces by Aguado, Carulli, Carcassi, Coste, Giuliani, Mertz, Sor, and Tarrega. Written in standard notation only. Includes access to online audio.

ISBN 9781619119666.

Sardinian flamenco guitar virtuoso, Dario Piga, delivers 18 intermediate to advanced exercises in this progressively arranged book addressing: arpegio, pulgar, picado, rasgueo, alzapua, and tremolo techniques. Dario himself studied in Spain with several prominent guitarists and singers, so is fluent with the authentic rhythms and techniques essential to effective flamenco guitar soloing and song and dance accompaniment. The pulgar (thumb) exercises in this volume will be of particular interest to flamenco aficionados as they explore various rhythms and chord inversions throughout the fretboard. Following his studies in Spain, Dario added jazz harmony to his lexicon of musical resources and frequently participates in the Time in Jazz festival in Sardinia. His affinity for jazz is also reflected in the appealing modern harmonies that occur in these studies. Two stunning Piga flamenco guitar solos provide a magnificent ending to this collection, written in standard notation and tablature. Includes access to online audio.

ISBN 9781610650380. The guitar studies of Fernando Sor (1778-1839) have long been valued highly among the indispensable elements of a guitarist's training. A number of prominent virtuosi attribute a large portion of their development to the diligent study of these works. Sor's studies address an impressive array of technical and musical topics, including proper left-hand fingering, training of the right hand, interval and chord formations, scales, arpeggios, repeated notes, ligados, barring, natural harmonics, control of note duration, balance of melody versus accompaniment, and the handling of contrapuntal voices. A careful study of these pieces will lay the groundwork for a solid technique and allow the guitarist to build the control necessary for the expression of his or her musical concepts. In preparing this edition David Grimes worked with Sor's original publications, but incorporated some alterations that appear in those studies that Napoleon Coste chose to include in his Methode complete pour la Guitarre par Ferdinand Sor. Furthermore, Mr. Grimes has corrected misprints, modernized the notation and rectified some inconsistencies. Finally, some developments in technique since Sor's day have been incorporated in this edition.