Orientation & Welcome to Classical Guitar Method Volume 1

Classical Guitar Method Volume 1 – Welcome and Orientation – My Classical Guitar Method is a free PDF Download (102 pages) from my sheet music store Werner Guitar Editions – Beginner classical or fingerstyle guitar. This book teaches classical and fingerstyle guitar skills with a focus on the rich pedagogical tradition of classical guitar. Most learning objectives are covered through pieces and duets allowing students to perform full pieces from the first lesson.

About this book – This book teaches classical and fingerstyle guitar skills with a focus on the rich pedagogical tradition of classical guitar. Most learning objectives are covered through pieces and duets rather than exercises or descriptions. This allows students to perform full pieces from the first lesson. Working with a qualified teacher as well as watching the lesson videos should provide students with a healthy start to guitar.

How to use this book – Study Part 1 in progressive order, studying every piece on every page. Incorporate Part III as a technique routine from the beginning. The chord section can be studied more loosely based on the skills and age of the student. Take lessons with a qualified teacher and watch the free video lessons to help you learn proper technique, musicality, and listening skills.

Five Main Goals
1. Play solos and duets from start to finish with a steady tempo
2. Play legato melodies (also with open string bass accompaniment)
3. Play arpeggio pieces and patterns
4. Become proficient at reading music in first position (without key signatures)
5. Accompany basic songs with strumming or fingerstyle chords

What is left out? This book omits information that might clutter the beginner learning experience. Music should be learned through listening and experience. Only a small amount of theory and musical expression have been included. I encourage students to explore these topics with their teacher during weekly lessons. Advice on theory and expression have been included in the free lesson videos which is a better medium for communicating musical ideas.

10 Comments

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  1. Hi Bradford, I have been searching on YouTube for a beginner method book and videos. Your verbal instruction and videos were so helpful I ordered Classical Guitar Method, Book One, and Classical Guitar Technique. I spent about 5 hours this week watching your videos, including the video on nail care. Your explanations and close ups of your hands answered so many questions that arose from other books and videos. I received your books today and put aside all the others. I am a retired teacher, in my seventies and have some training on piano. I also am very short with smaller hands, so found the review of your short scale guitar encouraging. I have a 3/4 scale beginner guitar. I’m so excited to begin, …the student is ready, the teacher has appeared! Your new student is from Maine, USA. Thank you!

  2. I really like the look of the guitar support you are using in this video – very unobtrusive and holds the guitar in a high neck position. If I may ask, which one is it?

  3. Hello! I am so happy to find a free classical guitar course! When I typed it into Google I didn’t even expect results! I have printed out the free 1st book of the course already and have worked through the first 20 pages. It’s going really well and I’m super excited to check out all the video lessons! I will probably have to view them at my studio since I have no internet at home. Again, thank you so much, Bradford Werner, for this incredible opportunity to learn classical guitar with no cost to the average person not able to pay for lessons. I appreciate your amazing website and all the hard work you have put into this course!

  4. Going back over Vol 1 and Vol 2. Very useful as you pick up information which you perhaps didn’t understand first time. It’s also really good when you play the music which was difficult then, but is really easy now. So if anyone is reading this who is just starting out, keep at it, it really does get easier with time and regular practice. Thank you Bradford, your books have given me a good start and I now feel confident enough to progress onto more of your repertoire books. Your video lessons are priceless.

  5. I have been following your Advice on how to use method number 1 for beginners, and with better concentration than, when I first started….I realise I should have taken your Advice as soon as I started. THAT is WHAT as known AS STUBBERNESS ..NEVER AGAIN Bob Taylor