In this update of the Acoustic Guitar Answer Book, Sharon Isbin, the classical guitar virtuoso who heads the Juilliard School Guitar Department, answers 50 essential questions about performing, practicing, and choosing and caring for your guitar. The questions were asked by Acoustic Guitar magazine readers and answered by Isbin in four years of Master Class columns in the magazine. This book collects all this vital information together in an easy reference format - an absolute must for every cla
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
disappointing effort, December 23, 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: Classical Guitar Answer Book (Paperback)
Having read about the skills of this wonderful musician I was very excited to get my hands on a copy of this book.But, I was disappointed when it arrived.I found nothing inspiring or indeed any more informative than your average “How to…” manual. I felt that many pages of this book were just lists I could find free on the internet and the 10 pages of programmes from her recitals seemed a small bit on the cheeky side.I returned this book
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
This review is from: Classical Guitar Answer Book (Paperback)
This book looks like it was place together over the weekend by shameless promoters. A real disappointment of a book. Very evasive answers, nothing to sink your teeth into and gain any insight from a classical guitartist in the spotlight. A shame that is who the planet is watching as the classical guitarist.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
This review is from: Classical Guitar Answer Book (Paperback)
In Classical Guitar Answer Book, Sharon Isbin provides a unique book to summarize the practical questions she must be questioned all the time. The entire book is written in a Frequently Questioned Questions format with most answers taking less than one page.
This is an simple read (one or two sittings) but it is loaded with excellent information that could only come from one who has the breadth of performing, playing and teaching experience of Ms. Isbin. All sorts of topics from how to choose a guitar, pack it for travel, get lessons for children, dodge squeaks on the bass strings, playing harmonics, set your concert program to suit the audience, etc. are all discussed in an informal, friendly way that is not too technical for any interested player to grasp. The material is organized by general theme so it does not come at the reader like a grab bag of random subjects.
One of the most useful features of the book is the extensive list of guitar makers, educational programs, music publishers, books and other assets in the back of the book. Those who have tried to build a excellent list like this know how valuable it can be to have them compiled by an expert, much thanks to her for that.
I do have a couple of criticisms of the book. It is very limited in its discussion of repertoire. I realize lengthy details on topics such as interpretation and sight-reading etc. are beyond the proposed scope of the book. But I want to have the head of the Julliard guitar program give specific repertoire information or recommended pieces for developing certain abilities at various skill levels. She does recommend beginners start in Recovery and Classical pieces, but isn’t much more specific than this excellent but limited information. She spends much of the repertoire section discussing how she has worked with composers to expand the available repertoire. I am interested in that, but more interested in what key pieces of the existing repertoire she considers vital for player development and why. She also uses several pages toward the end of the book showing photocopies of her concert programs over the years – there’s a small too much of this since the main points about programming were adequately described before these examples. 13% of the book seems excessive for showing program examples. There are a few times these kind of content choices seem self-promoting rather reader edifying – but it is not enough to hurt the by and large tone of the book which is healthy.
This is a excellent book and worth the price if you would like a lot of practical everyday tips on being a player and performing from a planet class master. Who wouldn’t want that ? This is not the book to find information on details as regards repertoire or anything related to the music itself… Ms. Isbin has done us a excellent service distilling her years of hard won experience into practical pointers and answers just as if she’s telling you in person.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
disappointing effort,
Having read about the skills of this wonderful musician I was very excited to get my hands on a copy of this book.But, I was disappointed when it arrived.I found nothing inspiring or indeed any more informative than your average “How to…” manual.
I felt that many pages of this book were just lists I could find free on the internet and the 10 pages of programmes from her recitals seemed a small bit on the cheeky side.I returned this book
Was this review helpful to you?
|Don’t waste your money,
This book looks like it was place together over the weekend by shameless promoters. A real disappointment of a book. Very evasive answers, nothing to sink your teeth into and gain any insight from a classical guitartist in the spotlight. A shame that is who the planet is watching as the classical guitarist.
Was this review helpful to you?
|Practical information/tips for guitarists of many levels,
In Classical Guitar Answer Book, Sharon Isbin provides a unique book to summarize the practical questions she must be questioned all the time. The entire book is written in a Frequently Questioned Questions format with most answers taking less than one page.
This is an simple read (one or two sittings) but it is loaded with excellent information that could only come from one who has the breadth of performing, playing and teaching experience of Ms. Isbin. All sorts of topics from how to choose a guitar, pack it for travel, get lessons for children, dodge squeaks on the bass strings, playing harmonics, set your concert program to suit the audience, etc. are all discussed in an informal, friendly way that is not too technical for any interested player to grasp. The material is organized by general theme so it does not come at the reader like a grab bag of random subjects.
One of the most useful features of the book is the extensive list of guitar makers, educational programs, music publishers, books and other assets in the back of the book. Those who have tried to build a excellent list like this know how valuable it can be to have them compiled by an expert, much thanks to her for that.
I do have a couple of criticisms of the book. It is very limited in its discussion of repertoire. I realize lengthy details on topics such as interpretation and sight-reading etc. are beyond the proposed scope of the book. But I want to have the head of the Julliard guitar program give specific repertoire information or recommended pieces for developing certain abilities at various skill levels. She does recommend beginners start in Recovery and Classical pieces, but isn’t much more specific than this excellent but limited information. She spends much of the repertoire section discussing how she has worked with composers to expand the available repertoire. I am interested in that, but more interested in what key pieces of the existing repertoire she considers vital for player development and why. She also uses several pages toward the end of the book showing photocopies of her concert programs over the years – there’s a small too much of this since the main points about programming were adequately described before these examples. 13% of the book seems excessive for showing program examples. There are a few times these kind of content choices seem self-promoting rather reader edifying – but it is not enough to hurt the by and large tone of the book which is healthy.
This is a excellent book and worth the price if you would like a lot of practical everyday tips on being a player and performing from a planet class master. Who wouldn’t want that ? This is not the book to find information on details as regards repertoire or anything related to the music itself… Ms. Isbin has done us a excellent service distilling her years of hard won experience into practical pointers and answers just as if she’s telling you in person.
Was this review helpful to you?
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