Відео

Very, very nice

That's real. You proved yourself. You don't lose it, but if you didn't start with rock, like I didn't, it's a totally different instrument. I've reached a fairly high level in classical, but I feel like an impostor because I can't improvise to save my life.

I have used this book with students, and indeed, it is not really for beginners. That's why there is another Berklee book called "Basic Guitar" phase 1 and 2. It is also written by William Leavitt

Yes I did that some time ago with good results.

Where do I get the "That Back There"?

I started on this method around 1988. By the time you get through Volume 3 you will realize this method is utterly fantastic.

I'd say a possible reason for putting the Chord Block on the Staff is to get the reader used to seeing it used in the Musical Notation. Also it will show what Notes make up that chord. If you are going to read music you are going to run into this. Even in Mel and Hals books they do this. One of the problems is some of these books will all of a sudden have Notes they haven't taught you show up.

I think #2

Merry Christmas

I can’t imagine attending college and being so trash that you’re reading books to learn. I would expect at the college level, especially at the world famous Berklee, you would already know how to not only read sheet music, play jazz standards, know your chords, but you (I would assume) would be fairly advanced at the guitar already. So what good is a beginner book doing at such a high level college? I’ll find out I just got accepted into a music university at 32 years old. I am already highly proficient at music so it’s gonna be an eye opener if my classmates are all beginners. I can’t wrap my head around the musician that’s too lazy to use the FREE resources on the internet to teach themselves. It’s too easy to be self taught. Just go on Wikipedia for a few hours. What could this book possibly have that you can’t learn on Wikipedia for free? Also, why are we attending $80,000 tuition super schools and not knowing how to read sheet music yet? I think that’s your guys’ problem. Your parents make too much money and you never had to learn anything on your own.

Hi I’m interested in beginner classical any recommend actions

I'm 39 at the moment. My teacher got me onto the book and we're going through it together. I'm at page 90 atm, so i'm at the 2nd stage. I've been practicing diligently and i had no guitar experience prior. This book is incredible, it teaches you the dexterity from the ground up, you don't do chords until your hands can do the scales, and then i continue to notice how the lessons are guided so it supports the next stage of my playing, that i would otherwise would not have had a sufficient dexterity scaffolding (if that makes sense) to do the excercises with proper technique. If you do this properly it will take time, but you will build the right skills and tools needed. It is excellent. I do want to add, my teacher has been teaching this book for a long time. And i get the sense that the compliments the books blind spots with other lessons sometimes that doesn't focus on the book. I know lots of chord shapes that the book didn't teach me, so the book has it's limits, but in terms of fundamentals. What i have gotten from the book just half way, i am extremely pleased. I couldn't recommend this book more highly. I honestly love what this book has given me and i'm a little over half way through.

Basically that method was developed 50+ years ago to teach the fundamentals of “orchestral guitar”. Author William Leavitt was a strong proponent of using the plectrum over hybrid or finger style RH techniques. He also believed that by building step-by-step on fundamentals, the plectrum-style electric guitar, especially archtop could be elevated to the solo concert stage.

I used 2 of the 3 volumes of this series when I studied at Berklee in the late-80s and I feel it helped out tremendously. I was even lucky enough to talk about parts of it with Bill Leavitt the author (RIP). It was the CAGED system before it was even called that.

if you are a classical player, why are you reviewing this book?

Why don’t you write your own then?

John: Many of the comments below are from people who well intended, yet inaccurate because those who post them are ill informed. It is not their fault and below is truth. That book came out in 1970. I used it in high school. If you look closely at it AND compare it to Aaron Shearer's Classical Guitar Method (published earlier) you will see the similarities. Leavitt's book was, in fact, a "Defacto Shearer Book For Modern Guitar". That is it. And 55 years later, it is outdated and does not work. Those who wish to become outstanding technicians on the plectrum guitar should use the stellar arpeggio pieces of Tarrrega, such as his "Study in A Major", "Study en Campanella", the Barrios "Study in g minor", etc. The Sor Opus 35 and Opus 60 contain MANY "block chord" progressions that are FAR more pleasing to the ear and are definitively more effective at developing right and left hand coordination....even with a flat pick or ....."hybrid playing". They are just better exercises than the Leavitt book has to offer. In summation, your critical analysis of the Leavitt series is spot on primarily because everything HAS changed in 55 years. ;) Antoine

Honestly, as a professional, college graduate jazz guitar and instructor in so many music schools I think that you don't get the overall end of this book. The book it's great itself. A lot of guitarist's overcome a great level of technique and harmony knowledge but they are unable to read any single note in the staff. This method taugh me how to read and improve my fretboard knowledge. Difficult to say how much. Respect overall. I think you and I went from different disciplines and I think the review is great but I differ on your vision ❤

Hey man great vid! I think you somewhat contradict many of your grievances with the book at the end of the video though. Just the name alone, specifying it being a method by and for Berklee (William Leavitt designed the guitar curriculum there) indicates this is for college level guitar students who likely already play electric/acoustic guitar so it is indeed not a beginner method and is mostly used for musically illiterate guitarists to gain some level of competency while at the Berklee music school. If it wanted to be a beginner method it would have labelled itself as such like the other two early books by Leavitt that you mentioned. As for the sequencing it has the same issues that most other classical methods tend to have, but this book was also written over half a century ago at this point (1966) with the last revised edition being released in 1995 (almost 30 years ago!) and it likely has much to improve on in this area. The video is great in terms of giving a review that indicates beginner students shouldn't buy this (which they shouldn't), but the thumbnail and title imply a semi-clickbaity general negative review for the book when the video clearly agrees that for its actual intended purpose (students who can already play, learning to read music) it might be pretty good.

True

I have a Samuel Carvalho (luthier from Brazil) entry level guitar and it plays so much nicer than my Kenny hill new World Series. Don’t get me wrong, I love the playability and sound of the kenny hill NWS, but I still prefer the SC guitar. I also played the Cordoba C9, but in my opinion the Kenny hill sounds better.

I'm confused 🤔 too are they saying that the process of learning classical is to slow and they can teach you faster and better?

Great suggestions. Some interesting pieces from a classical beginner's perspective. Thank you.

😂😂😂

I just bought a Yamaha CG12C, and it is superb. I am very happy with it. I shaved the bridge saddle to get the action just right, and it sings well with D'Addario Pro Arte Hard Tensions. I also have several others, including Cordoba and Alhambra. The Yamaha GC32C I treasure is amazing, too, pricey, but amazing. Great Review.

I like the Mel Bay books better...

🔥, Dude!!!!!!!!

Thank you - very lovely pieces to learn!

I was lucky enough to snag a mildly used Kenny Hill New World Series guitar, and YES, it sounds and plays amazingly well. However, my instructor at the time, a woman a bit smaller than me, convinced me that females need smaller guitars. I've come to find out the Kenny Hill, a 615mm. is just too small for me. So I now have a Kremona Romina (spruce/rosewood) that I bought used and in mint condition at a great price, and I love it. When I get a minute, I'll be putting my Kenny Hill up for sale on reverb. Then I'll be looking for something with a cedar top.

It is a weird list when you break it down like you have. The best list of classical guitars, but only one has any claim to being a classical guitar, the Cordoba C7, but then as you said the cut away and pick-ups aren't really needed. Everything else is pretty much an acoustic electric with the "must have" thinner neck. It's a list of nylon guitars for electric players, and probably shredders at that. Sad if some kid actually wants to learn classical picks one of these up, especially since they don't actually need the pick-up. I'm surprised those Ibanez Tim Henson things didn't make the list.

Play Bach A LOT and you'll be able to play rock and jazz.

Tell that to Yngwie

Im a classical guitarist, and I have been in a doom metal band for a decade. I don't get why people say that both can't happen. It's not like we lose the ability to play by ear and improvise once we learn how to read Bach, lol

Of course they can

Quite few vibratos were missing...that beautiful Page quiver...not the modern slow-wide thing... And the bends? Those "feel" techniques are just that, techniques that can be had. But you have to learn, then ingrain, the mechanics. Then maintain them with daily practice.

Check out the band Sky. They are no longer together, but... Wow! Rock music... With a classical twist. Guitarist John Williams played with them. They even used a harpsichord!

Most comments are stunningly stupid. The DP instantly suggests that this is a list for crossover players and electro acoustic classical models.

Sounds like rock music to me!

Good test would be classical musician site read it. No prior knowledge

Sounds similar to the intro of Spanish Caravan by The Doors. Nice.

Guessing you got the tab for that ...I dont think its that you can't play Rock and roll probably more where you have not much feel because your always reading music .and I guess you can play anything that is written for you ..feel is something that comes from the soul ..playing what you hear in your head more so then the notes on a pages..

Your amp tone was a little off and you struggled a little here and there but played it awesome. I'd be happy with a lead player giving me what you played here. Killer performance. Not perfect but better than most.

Wow, i ve never seen a man get played by the guitar.

A musician with feel can play any piece of music they take the time to study. Im a flat pick guy so i struggle with fingerstyle but doesnt mean with a couple weeks or more in some casses i cant get it.

No comment

how do you get a Guitar player to 'turn down'? make him sight read

Sorry dude, you’re slightly out of tune all the way through, the bends are inaccurate and classical vibrato just doesn’t cut it. Sorry.

Some can some cannot.