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Topic starter
26/05/2007 3:47 pm
Hi all,
I was reviewing some internet stores and also old posts looking for fingerpicking book recommendations. Basically my selections fit with this old post, although I don't know if there are new books in these more than three years. The list is as follows:
1. Beyond Basics Fingerstyle Guitar by Mark Hanson.
2. The Art of Contemporary Travis Picking by Mark Hanson.
3. The Art of Solo Fingerpicking by Mark Hanson.
4. Beginning Fingerstyle Blues Guitar by Arnie Berle and Mark Galbo.
5. Fingerstyle Guitar by Ken Perlman.
(It seems Mark Hanson is the "king" of the fingerpicking books. Everybody agree his books are very good. The people that follow the books say he explains the concepts and selects exercises very well.)
#1 and #2 are for beginners. #3 can be considered as the second or next part of #2. #4 is only for blues (intermediate level). #5 is for intermediate/advanced players. Some reviewers recommend #1 and #3, some #2 and #3. According to theirs indexes, #1 seems more complete because #2 is only for Travis picking.
I am also considering some song books for fingerpicking. Here I don't know if it is better a single author book (ie. The Beatles, Paul Simon, etc.) or a book with different styles and levels (ie. a Mark Hanson's book on Christmas carols or a book with a songs arranged for fingerpicking).
What do you think?
26/05/2007 5:14 pm
No update to the list; I have #1 and #4 and like 'em both.
I also have Hanson's Christmas carol book ... there are some incredibly difficult arrangements in there. Even the ones he tags as 'beginner' are not, in my opinion.
"Everybody got to elevate from the norm."
Topic starter
27/05/2007 11:54 am
Thanks Mitch!
Mark Hanson has two books on Christmas carols. Please, which is your book?
- Fingerstyle Christmas Guitar: 12 Beautiful Songs & Carols for Solo Guitar
- Fingerstyle Noel
I did read the songs included in first one have several levels. I mean, the first part is the easiest. The arrangements for the rest of the song are progressively harder. I think he refers these parts as "stanzas". I don't know if he follows a similar system in other books.
I heard some recordings in the Hanson's webs (Accent on Music or CD Baby) and his version of Jingle Bells is very cool! In the second stanza, the melody is played in falseta (sorry, I think it is a Spanish word, I mean, the melody goes up) and the third is blues!
I guess the first will be "easy", the second harder, and you will finish with your fingers between the strings in the third! :lol:
Yesterday I forget to include these books in the list, some people also recommend them:
- Guitar Method Fingerpicking (Progressive Guitar Method) by Gary Turner.
- Beginning Fingerstyle Guitar by Lou Manzi.
The second book is the first of three books (Beginning, Intermediate and Mastering). BTW Ken Perlman has also several books (Beginning and Advanced).
Nuno
01/06/2007 12:45 am
The only one on the list I know of (and have) is Ken Perlman's Fingerstyle Guitar. This is what I used to learn fingerpicking. It has a wide range of theory, exercises, and styles which trians the fingers to be nimble. I bought mine about 25 years ago but I noticed recently in the local music store that he has a DVD out.
I also have the sequel - More Fingerstyle Guitar (ISBN 0-13-600842-9 and ISBN 0-13-600834-8 {PBK.}) It is progressively harder in the techniques and styles. Both have a lot of tunes that I have yet to master or even attempt.
I also have several by Stefan Grossman (e.g Fingerpicking Guitar) which was a lot easier to get into initially.
Hope this helps
Topic starter
03/06/2007 10:13 pm
Thanks! :D
I ordered 'Beyond Basics Fingerstyle Guitar' and 'Fingerstyle Noel' last week. I'll receive the first one in ten days. The second one isn't in stock, so I have to wait more time. When I finish with these books, I'll check your advices and probably I'll buy one of the Perlman's books.
04/06/2007 12:00 am
Oh hey Nuno, sorry I missed your question. I have the other one, Fingerstyle Christmas Guitar: 12 Beautiful Songs & Carols for Solo Guitar.
This review on Amazon is mine:
This is my second Mark Hanson fingerstyle book (the other is his Beyond Basics book.) The Christmas songs in this one are very well chosen, including absolutely stunning arrangements of Go Tell It On The Mountain and In Dulci Jubilo. It's worth the price for the CD that accompanies the book, just to hear Hanson playing!
The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that it's misleading to call four of these songs "easy." These so-called "easy" songs are definitely not what most people would think of as easy! Others have made similar comments about the book being for intermediate to advanced players, and I completely agree. But if you have a few years playing experience and are at least an "advanced beginner" with respect to fingerstyle playing, then I highly recommend this collection of great songs.
"Everybody got to elevate from the norm."
Topic starter
04/06/2007 9:25 am
Don't worry Mitch! :D
I think I did read your review on Amazon. First I thought in your book for 'In dulci jubilo', it is a very nice tune and one of my Oldfield's favorites (is it the same that he plays, no?). But then I did read the reviews and also some comments on the Hanson's site.
I play for nine months. I get some fingerpicking abilities (mostly arpeggiate) but I think I'll need several months for 'Beyond...' and the basic techniques. The second book is for alternating with the other and for learning some new songs or arrangements. The idea of 'stanzas' seems good for a beginner since you can learn the easier part and leave the others for the future if you aren't ready for them. The 'Christmas Guitar' seemed to me very advanced for my level.
Thanks! :D