Pumping Nylon: Easy to Early Intermediate Repertoire: Guitar Book

This book succeeds because it treats repertoire as a continuation of technique study rather than decoration. Tennant selected pieces that directly reinforce the tremolo, arpeggio, and velocity work from Pumping Nylon, so students see immediate application without artificial gaps between method and music. The mix of contemporary compositions alongside 19th-century etudes keeps the material fresh and musically engaging.

You'll encounter a range of moods across these 64 pages: flowing arpeggios that feel like water, driving tremolo passages that demand stamina and control, and lyrical phrases that reward careful voicing. The music balances the disciplined efficiency of classic etudes with the expressive possibilities of modern compositions, creating rehearsal sessions that feel productive and musically satisfying.

Students working through Pumping Nylon who are ready to move beyond isolated exercises and want immediate musical context for their technical practice. Early intermediate players seeking a curated collection of accessible classical guitar repertoire that combines etudes with contemporary pieces.

• Record yourself playing the pieces to identify which technical passages need additional isolation work before moving forward in the book.
• Study the Scott Tennant recording on the included CD as a reference for tone quality and interpretive pacing, especially in the tremolo passages.
• Map out which specific Pumping Nylon exercises connect to each piece so students understand the pedagogical intention and build confidence with familiar technical foundations.
• Work through pieces in the order presented; the difficulty curve is deliberate, and earlier selections prepare the hand for later demands.

Assign pieces selectively alongside Pumping Nylon lessons rather than all at once; each student moves through the book at their own pace as technique solidifies. The collection works well for student recitals at intermediate levels, or as a resource for mixed-difficulty concert programs where different players perform different selections. The presence of well-known etude composers adds legitimacy to student recital programming.

• Arpeggio clarity and independence across all six strings
• Tremolo consistency and rhythmic precision
• Scale velocity and finger dexterity
• Tone evenness through sustained technical passages
• Interpretation and musical phrasing within classical guitar repertoire