Alfred's Teach Yourself to Play Classical Guitar: Guitar Book & Online Video/Audio/Software

Opening the book feels like having a patient mentor in the room. The progression moves steadily from mechanical foundations (how the instrument sits in your lap, how your fingers should curve) into the pleasure of sounding like a real classical guitarist. By the final pages, you're playing recognizable pieces by Bach and Mozart, which transforms practice from drill work into genuine musical satisfaction.

Adult learners and young people who want structured classical guitar instruction without relying on a private teacher. This method works for anyone starting with zero guitar experience who is willing to practice systematically and engage with both video and written material.

• Watch Martha Masters' demonstration of right-hand stroke technique before attempting free and rest strokes yourself; seeing the angle and movement quality matters more than reading about it.
• Use the TNT 2 audio player to slow down recordings of the classical pieces while maintaining pitch accuracy, then gradually increase tempo as your finger strength develops.
• Record yourself playing the same piece across multiple weeks to hear tangible progress in tone quality and evenness; it's motivating and reveals technical inconsistencies.

This works as a parallel resource for guitar students taking lessons elsewhere, or as a complete curriculum for independent learners during school year or summer. The 80-page length and clear video support make it practical for students studying at home with minimal supervision.

• Free stroke and rest stroke technique (right hand)
• Left-hand positioning and efficient finger movement
• Reading standard music notation and tablature simultaneously
• Posture and sitting position for classical guitar
• Proper instrument care and tuning
• Scale and note recognition across the fingerboard
• Playing classical repertoire by Bach, Vivaldi, and Mozart