The Christopher Parkening Guitar Method – Volume 2 – Classical Guitar Technique and Repertoire | Advanced Skills Including Tremolo, Harmonics, Vibrato, and Slurs | 32 Classical Pieces

Volume II is designated for guitarists entering the intermediate level. I've many guitar methods book but Parkening is my preferred; it contains some unique features which were insufficient or lacking in my other method books; as tone production with emphasize on tone color. Most books mention just briefly that one can change tone color by playing over the sound hole for dolce effect or close to the bridge (ponticello) for a metallic sound. Actually between those two extremes there are endless possibilities of expressions which Parkening clearly explains and demonstrates through pictures and diagrams as the engagement between string flash and nail; variety angles of string plucking; using different positions for the same pitch; diverse vibrato techniques, ornamentation ,just to name part of this vast arsenal. All those variegated sounds color enables richness of expressivity.Another unique feature is in-depth interpretation of the musical piece at hand, which helps one to understand the background and the musical construction of the composition. This section gives also performance suggestions and tips to overcome technical difficulties relating to the specific musical piece. Bottom line one ends up not just a better performer, but also a better a better understanding of music with the ability to analyze to an improved extant.

This book takes classical guitarists to the next level. It has lots of repertoire while still offering good instruction. If you can read music and have a good understanding of guitar, you can do well with this. I would recommend completing book 1 before working through book 2.

Succinct presentation - no belaboring. No lesson goes on for more than two pages, including music theory! Easy to read; I finished 'reading' in less than week; playing it is another matter! I've since re-read it several times, highlighting, marking and cross-referencing etc.Parkening believes in interspersing lessons with attractive study pieces - to encourage ... and it works - well ... a most attractive and fulfilling way to learn. Parkening does not seem to hold back any subtlety; he conveys the fine points, required to produce varied and attractive guitar sounds - to get the most out of the instrument.If only these volumes existed when I was younger, life might have gone in different directions. Nothing but praise for the Parkening approaches to introducing the classical guitar to newcomers. Fabulous value; you won't regret a penny of it.

I love his books. The songs are very playable. The explanations are clear and useful. There are a lot of interesting historical and philosophical comments sprinkled in to add interest and character to the book. This book is a mix of scales, etudes, and pieces so that it could be used alone (without other books) to make enough progress so that if you learn the songs well, you can entertain yourself and your friends with quite a few pieces.

I wore my first copy out. It finally disappeared. I have an empty nest now. After taking two yrs of music classes in college (also played flute since age 8) I chose to purchase this book again. Now I have the time and this book is a great place to start (or in my case, restart.) It is chalk full of information and I love the pieces that are used to integrate my newly developing skills.

This is an excellent second book for classical guitar; the method builds slowly on what has gone before and provides a wealth of information on technique as well as a wide variety of pieces to practice. Only regret is that my Book 2 did not come with the CD (which I believe it should have) - but I bought a used copy, so mea culpa!

This book is amazing in regards to helping to learn to read higher up on the guitar. We all (well, at least I do) hate ledger lines, and this book does a great job easing you into playing higher on the neck. There is also great information about performing, technique, practice sessions, etc. Highly recommend for the newer classical guitarist ready to take his or her playing and reading to the next level!

Great classical guitar learning book. My son has outgrown all of his teachers so he’s teaching himself. Great pieces in this book