Music Teacher magazine Review (August 2006)
Music Teacher magazine have a review of Guitar Academy, Book 1 in their August 2006 issue. This review is based on an earlier review that Craig did for Classroom Music magazine. This review has been updated in Music Teacher magazine to include information about the new books available from the end of August 2006.
Guitar Academy, Book 1 [1st edition]
Review by Craig Ogden
(The review as it appeared in print)
Richard Corr’s Guitar Academy Book 1 is every bit as comprehensive and useful as it purports to be. The introductory notes outline with articulate clarity the difference between Corr’s own book and others on the market. Supported by published aims of the Federation of Music Services, proposing a more ‘holistic approach to teaching and learning’, and by other luminaries including John Williams, Corr has endeavoured to integrate aspects of a guitarist’s education often divided between the different styles of guitar playing. His book includes the most significant elements of the classical and popular traditions, ranging from classical technique to strummed song accompaniments, ensemble pieces, ear training and improvisation. Harking back to my own earliest years of guitar tuition, I realise now how truly valuable such an integrated approach would have been. While it seems only logical to develop beginner guitarists’ ears and rhythmic senses at the same time as building their ability to play guitar itself, this is often overlooked.
Corr suggests the nylon strung classical guitar as the most appropriate instrument for beginners as it is in some ways the easiest to play, though while Corr does mention five other types of guitar in his introduction, this book won’t really suit students only interested in thrash metal. It’s really aimed at guitarist’s predominantly interested in classical or finger-style playing.
Fundamentally the book consists of three parts: 1) Classical guitar tutor, 2) Ensemble supplement – including improvisation, 3) Song/chord tutor. The various elements of classical guitar technique are elucidated with admirable clarity and simplicity, as are the basic principles of reading music and finding notes on the guitar. The CD that comes with the book has examples of all the exercises, many of which have accompaniments for teachers. Cleverly, the the teacher and pupil parts have been recorded on separate stereo channels so each part can be isolated by using the balance control. So, the student playing along to the CD at home can listen to the teacher’s accompaniment without having to battle with the recorded student part. The ensemble portion of the book also includes opportunities for improvisation (with backing tracks on the CD), with suggested modes including Pentatonic, Ionian and Blues, and has exercises to encourage playing well-known tunes by ear. The Song/chord tutor uses a range of well-known and popular tunes to introduce basic chords and strumming patterns. Pull-out flash cards for testing note recognition along with some advice about internet resources complete a rigorously researched and road-tested resource.
As of the end of August 2006 the existing Guitar Academy Book 1 will be joined by two smaller editions, being essentially the original book revised and divided into two, in order to be more digestible for school age students, with the prospect of advancement to Book 2 providing added motivation. All of the material outlined above will remain in the split version but will include revisions such as a greater emphasis on developing the right hand, particularly free stroke technique, which is introduced and developed in the new Book 2. There are also various new solo and ensemble pieces, with even more emphasis on improvisation and ear training, and as with the existing publication each of the new books comes with a CD. Also in the pipeline is a multi-volume method of four books due for release during 2007.
The currently available book is beautifully presented and is written in a relaxed and engaging style. It is simple yet comprehensive and seems to me to be the best beginner’s tutor book I have come across. Keep an eye on www.guitaracademy.co.uk for information about the developing product.
Craig Ogden is an Australian-born guitarist and principal lecturer in guitar at the Royal Northern College of Music. He has recorded extensively for Chandos, Virgin, Hyperion, Nimbus, and Sony, and has performed concertos with orchestras including the London Symphony, London Philharmonic, Hallé, BBC Philharmonic and City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestras.
Music Teacher magazine have a review of Guitar Academy, Book 1 in their August 2006 issue. This has been written by Craig Ogden, principal guitar lecturer at the Royal Northern College of Music, and one of the finest classical guitarists playing today.
Click here to read the review.
This review is based on an earlier review that Craig did for Classroom Music magazine. This review has been updated in Music Teacher magazine to include information about the new books available from the end of August 2006. The full text is given below:
GUITAR ACADEMY BOOK ONE
– reviewed by Craig Ogden for ‘Music Teacher’ magazine, August 2006
Richard Corr’s Guitar Academy Book 1 is every bit as comprehensive and useful as it purports to be. The introductory notes outline with articulate clarity the difference between Corr’s own book and others on the market. Supported by published aims of the Federation of Music Services, proposing a more ‘holistic approach to teaching and learning’, and by other luminaries including John Williams, Corr has endeavoured to integrate aspects of a guitarist’s education often divided between the different styles of guitar playing. His book includes the most significant elements of the classical and popular traditions, ranging from classical technique to strummed song accompaniments, ensemble pieces, ear training and improvisation. Harking back to my own earliest years of guitar tuition, I realise now how truly valuable such an integrated approach would have been. While it seems only logical to develop beginner guitarists’ ears and rhythmic senses at the same time as building their ability to play guitar itself, this is often overlooked.
Corr suggests the nylon strung classical guitar as the most appropriate instrument for beginners as it is in some ways the easiest to play, though while Corr does mention five other types of guitar in his introduction, this book won’t really suit students only interested in thrash metal. It’s really aimed at guitarist’s predominantly interested in classical or finger-style playing.
Fundamentally the book consists of three parts: 1) Classical guitar tutor, 2) Ensemble supplement – including improvisation, 3) Song/chord tutor. The various elements of classical guitar technique are elucidated with admirable clarity and simplicity, as are the basic principles of reading music and finding notes on the guitar. The CD that comes with the book has examples of all the exercises, many of which have accompaniments for teachers. Cleverly, the the teacher and pupil parts have been recorded on separate stereo channels so each part can be isolated by using the balance control. So, the student playing along to the CD at home can listen to the teacher’s accompaniment without having to battle with the recorded student part. The ensemble portion of the book also includes opportunities for improvisation (with backing tracks on the CD), with suggested modes including Pentatonic, Ionian and Blues, and has exercises to encourage playing well-known tunes by ear. The Song/chord tutor uses a range of well-known and popular tunes to introduce basic chords and strumming patterns. Pull-out flash cards for testing note recognition along with some advice about internet resources complete a rigorously researched and road-tested resource.
As of the end of August 2006 the existing Guitar Academy Book 1 will be joined by two smaller editions, being essentially the original book revised and divided into two, in order to be more digestible for school age students, with the prospect of advancement to Book 2 providing added motivation. All of the material outlined above will remain in the split version but will include revisions such as a greater emphasis on developing the right hand, particularly free stroke technique, which is introduced and developed in the new Book 2. There are also various new solo and ensemble pieces, with even more emphasis on improvisation and ear training, and as with the existing publication each of the new books comes with a CD. Also in the pipeline is a multi-volume method of four books due for release during 2007.
The currently available book is beautifully presented and is written in a relaxed and engaging style. It is simple yet comprehensive and seems to me to be the best beginner’s tutor book I have come across. Keep an eye on www.guitaracademy.co.uk for information about the developing product.
Craig Ogden is an Australian-born guitarist and principal lecturer in guitar at the Royal Northern College of Music. He has recorded extensively for Chandos, Virgin, Hyperion, Nimbus, and Sony, and has performed concertos with orchestras including the London Symphony, London Philharmonic, Hallé, BBC Philharmonic and City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestras.
