Andres Segovia - 20 Studies for the Guitar: Book/CD Pack

I would highly recommend the pieces within this book as an addition to any classical guitarist's repertoire. The majority of the studies are relatively short and all are individually beautiful in themselves. The musical notation within this edition provides clear/concise fingerings, dynamics, articulation and tempo suggestions to allow accurate interpretation of the pieces. Each study provides various technical challenges and develops good balance between left and right hands and would be a useful stepping stone in progressing to more advanced pieces by Fernando Sor.I would suggest that this is not a book for the complete beginner. The studies are not graded in order of difficulty which could be an inconvenience and you will require a relatively good level of playing and music reading (UK-Trinity/ABRSM Grade 5+) to interpret these pieces accurately.It is worth noting that this book does not contain tablature for those who do not read musical notation.The audio CD is accurate to the pieces within this edition and the CD is worth owning if only as an addition to a musical collection. I found the CD isuseful as a reference point to ensure correct interpretation of the studies and would suggest purchasing the book/audio edition for this purpose.Overall I would highly recommend this product.

This is a must for classical guitarists. Each study is accompanied by a CD track.

I dont write many reviews ,but i feel this book is so important in the playing and tecnique department it has to be studied.The book is not big but every piece has to be studied and i use pieces in this book everyday for reading ,finger position,correct string etc.so not a book to just sight read but improve all aspects of classical guitar over time,as we know things dont happen overnight so give it time

Excellent - but only if you read music. I think it would benefit from tablature as many people do not read music now.

No CD included as advertised

The book is a must for any serious classical guitar students or any serious amateur. The CD gives guidance to a certain extent. But the lack of dynamics in Paul Henry's playing, or if there is, it is so unimpressive. I make this conclusion because I have a number of books with CD from him. Technically, I cannot fault his playing, but musically, it leaves a lot to be desired - It gives me a very ...eh.... well, "flat" feeling. So, my advice is to get the book without the CD. Save the money to buy other things.

I disliked the fact that it says book/ cd pack, and there is no cd!

Since I already have a book by Paul Henry with a CD, I took for granted it would be also a tablature-book. It isn't. I don't know how to read any music easily (it takes me ages to understand) so it's been a waste of money. The cover doesn't say anything about this, so I felt quite disappointed when I got it home.Apart from that, after listening to the CD, it seems a beautiful collection of studies to me.d

Viel mehr ist nicht zu sagen. einfach 5 Punkte.Sor war der Lieblingskomponist von Segovia:klar dass seine Auswahl daher sehr gut ist.

カルカッシを進めていますが、弾いていて飽きてしまうことがあります。しかしソルの練習曲は練習曲といえども、味わい深いものがあり、また難しいです。いつか9番を弾けるようになりたいです。

eccezionale studio di Sor/ segovia , accompagnato da uno splendido CD eseguito da un ottimo chitarrista che completa e aiuto lo studio di quest'opera.Consegna come sempre nei tempiGrazie!!

Having studied the original book this one is has the added advantage of theCD to hear how the studies are played.Although Segovia took artistic licence on one or two etudes regarding changing the melody it was done sowith in my opinion, for the better.

Segovia gleaned the most effective studies from Sor's extensive canon, compiling them into one album. Contrary to expectation, and common misconception, the album does not follow a graded progression: the album begins with Sor's polyphonic study Op. 6, No. 8, which corresponds to RCM (Royal Conservatory of Music) 7. Admittedly, the first few studies following the first are not exceedingly difficult, but before you decide to shell out your hard-earned cash, bear in mind that this album was never intended to be a beginner's introduction to Fernando Sor, as the easiest studies require an intermediate level of guitar proficiency roughly corresponding to RCM 5. The studies are all challenging, some exceptionally so. There's the finger killing study in barre, Op. 29, No. 13. The study in sixths, Op. 6, No. 9. The study in thirds, Op. 6, No. 6. Studies in arpeggios, legatos, chords, etc. All the most effective, and beautiful, studies written by Sor in one album. It's often stated, with good reason, that if you make it through this album unscathed, you can play anything.*update 2016* Looking back upon this collection of studies many years later, I can say-without hesitation-that 90% of my technical proficiency came as a result of following the Segovia fingerings religiously. I approached the studies much as a gymnast approaches a front lever: the studies seemed impossibly difficult at first, but through patient and diligent work, eventually became effortless. Having said this, it was no mean feat to work my way through this collection, and the album was so worn and ragged towards the end that it was almost a pile of mashed pulp. My advice to anyone just embarking into the guitar world is to steel oneself to the concept that it isn't uncommon to devote a minimum of a year to a difficult study in order for the piece to be concert ready. Another piece of advice: practice slowly. So slowly that it is almost maddening.