Each section below, separated by a line, lists the recommended materials that will guide you through my educational books and videos. Complete each section before moving to the next. When you arrive at the grade 1 book you can start my technique book and continue using it through the grades.
Visit my Lesson Page to browse specific topics and see additional lessons on various techniques and practicing. My video lessons are a large part of learning from my books so follow the lesson list under the product info for each book. Be sure to join the email newsletter to get my weekly lessons and to get exposure to professional level playing and see my new video lessons. Even if you don’t play the materials in all my lessons just watching them will give you insight into how to study.
You can supplement the below books with free and premium sheet music from the sheet music page.
Absolute Beginner Level
- Required Book: Classical Guitar Method – Vol. 1, Video Lessons, 100 pages, Free PDF
Proceed through the book and video lessons while using the technique section at the back as a warmup. Everything you need is in the book and all the videos are listed on the sales page (just scroll down to the list). It’s all free and should get you started with reading and playing melodies and arpeggios. When nearing the end of the book, if you feel confident, you can supplement your studies with Beginner level material on my sheet music page.
Late-Beginner Level
- Required Book: Classical Guitar Method Vol. 2, Video Lessons, 89 pages.
Proceed through the book while using the technique section at the back. Everything you need is in the book and videos help you with each section. This book teaches you to read and play music in various tonal keys. You can supplement your studies with Beginner level material on my sheet music page.
Early-Intermediate – Grade 1
- Required Books
- Classical Guitar Repertoire Lessons Grade 1 – Dedicated lessons for each piece.
- Classical Guitar Technique – 122 pages, Video lessons.
When you arrive at the Grade 1 level it’s time to have a dedicated technique book as well. Study both books together using my technique book for your technical warmup and the grade 1 book for repertoire. The technique book has multiple technique routines at various levels to limit the material to a manageable amount. Feel free to proceed through the technique levels faster than your repertoire.
If you feel confident you can supplement your studies with Grade 1 level material on my sheet music page and the book collections Easy Classical Guitar, Volume 1 or Volume 2.
Early-Intermediate – Grade 2
As you progress through the grades continue with more difficult technique routines from my technique book. Continue to supplement the experience with repertoire at the appropriate grade level or use my Easy Classical Guitar Vol.1 or 2 collection which contains repertoire between grade 1-3.
If you feel confident you can supplement your studies with Grade 2 level material on my sheet music page and the book collections Easy Classical Guitar, Volume 1 or Volume 2.
Early-Intermediate – Grade 3
- Required Books
- Classical Guitar Repertoire Lessons Grade 3
- Classical Guitar Technique – 122 pages, Video lessons.
As you progress through the grades continue with more difficult technique routines from my technique book. Continue to supplement the experience with repertoire at the appropriate grade level or use my Easy Classical Guitar Vol.1 or 2 collection which contains repertoire between grade 1-3.
If you feel confident you can supplement your studies with Grade 3 level material on my sheet music page and the book collections Easy Classical Guitar, Volume 1 or Volume 2. You can also consider playing a number of etudes from the beginning of 25 Progressive Studies, Op.60 by Fernando Sor.
Intermediate – Grade 4-6
- Required Books
- Classical Guitar Repertoire Lessons Grade 4
- Classical Guitar Repertoire Lessons Grade 5
- Classical Guitar Repertoire Lessons Grade 6
- Classical Guitar Technique – 122 pages, Video lessons.
If you feel confident you can supplement your studies with Grade 3 level material on my sheet music page and the book collections Easy Classical Guitar, Volume 1 or Volume 2. You can also consider playing a number of etudes from the beginning of 25 Studies, Op.60 by Fernando Sor as well as 10 Petites Pieces, Op.11 by Carcassi.
What Happens After Grade 6?
After grade 6 it will be time to dive into some etudes and fretboard knowledge books and supplements. I’m still creating these books but for now I will recommend some good ones from others.
My Books
- Continue using my Classical Guitar Technique as it goes to advanced levels.
- Reading and Fretboard Comprehension (Grades 1-8) – Coming 2021
- Ten Classical Etudes, Grade 4-7, videos lessons, Notation & Notation + TAB
- Major Scales for Classical Guitar – Beginner to Intermediate, Notation + TAB
Recommended Books by Others
- Sight Reading for the Classical Guitar (2 books) – Excellent books. Form, phrasing, dynamics, skills.
- Scale Pattern Studies by Aaron Shearer – Very comprehensive, scales and melodic sight reading.
- Music Theory Books – Learning and recommended books.
After Grade 10?
There are plenty of technique books for advanced players, even my technique book can be used to the grade 10 level. However, the only method book for technique that I’ve seen for super high levels is Kitharologus: The Path to Virtuosity by Ricardo Iznaola. It’s difficult but good. Not for the faint-hearted though. It starts from the beginning with just open strings but progresses very quickly. I recommend starting from the very beginning and using his advice and metronome markings. Don’t skip any pages or you’ll pay for it later. He recommends you stay with an exercise for a least a week or two after reaching the tempo.