Learn to:

• Select the right classical guitar for you
• Develop correct hand position and posture
• Tune your guitar
• Play along with exercises and pieces on the audio CD

The fun and easy way® to start playing classical guitar!

Want to be a classical guitarist, but never had a lesson? No problem -- this hands-on guide teaches you all the fundamental techniques you need to play scales, melodies, and full-length pieces in the classical style. You get plenty of practice exercises to stretch your skills, selections from the classical repertoire, and a bonus audio CD that helps you play along with the music pieces from the book!

• Get acquainted with your guitar -- familiarize yourself with the unique make-up and parts of a classical guitar
• Start making some music -- play melodies on individual strings, move on to arpeggios, and get your fingers in shape with scales
• Ramp up your technique -- play barres, slurs, and trills; handle harmonics; master right-hand tremolo; and venture up the neck to play in the higher positions
• Build your classical repertoire -- from Renaissance and Baroque to Classical, Romantic, and Modern, play pieces from the major eras in classical music
• Practice makes perfect -- improve your performance with expert guidance through each exercise and piece in the book

Open the book and find:

• Tips and techniques for playing beautiful pieces
• How to read music notation and tablature
• Basic finger and thumb strokes
• Right- and left-hand techniques
• Musical examples, charts, and photos
• Music pieces from the guitar greats
• The best ways to care for your guitar
• A step-by-step tutorial on changing your strings

Bonus CD Includes

More than 140 recorded performances of the exercises and pieces featured in the book

Pieces performed using a count-off, allowing you to play along in time with the music

Tuning notes to help you tune up your guitar