The Complete Idiot's Guide to Classical Guitar Favorites: Guitar Book & 2 Enhanced CDs

This book bridges a genuine gap for guitarists trained in rock, pop, or folk styles who are curious about classical repertoire but intimidated by the transition. Kikta teaches fingerstyle technique through actual beautiful pieces rather than exercises, making the classical guitar world immediately musical and achievable. The dual-format notation (standard and TAB) respects where players are coming from while the enhanced CDs with practice software remove barriers to independent learning.

Like stepping into a room lined with masterworks you suddenly recognize as compositions, not distant classical abstractions. The repertoire spans centuries and styles, from Bach's architecture to the lyrical warmth of Tarrega and Albeniz, creating a journey that feels both reverent and inviting. Fingerstyle technique emerges organically as you chase the sound of the recordings rather than drilling isolated techniques.

Pop, rock, folk, and blues guitarists ready to explore classical music without abandoning their existing skills or comfort level. Players who read TAB fluently but want to build standard notation literacy in a musical context. Self-directed learners who benefit from recorded models and adjustable playback software.

• Lock the tempo before unpacking fingerstyle patterns. Use the recorded accompaniment at full speed to internalize pulse, then work the book's pieces at slower tempos available in the CD software.
• Approach the transition from pick to fingers gradually. Begin with simpler pieces where finger independence feels natural, and return to earlier arrangements once your right-hand stamina improves.
• Loop challenging passages in the software rather than running full pieces repeatedly. Target the specific measures where fingering coordination breaks down, then integrate them into the larger musical line.
• Reference the TAB notation as a learning tool, not a crutch. Use it to decode positions quickly, but shift your reading weight toward standard notation as your classical literacy grows.

Assign repertoire from this collection to guitarists during a semester focused on expanding musical literacy beyond their primary genre. Individual pieces work well as recital selections that demonstrate technical growth and musical maturation. For group guitar classes, this book provides a shared reference point for discussing classical guitar history and technique across different playing levels.

• Classical fingerstyle technique (right-hand finger assignment and control)
• Reading standard notation on the treble clef
• Left-hand positioning and finger independence across extended passages
• Interpretation of articulation and phrasing in notated music
• Harmonic awareness through multi-voice classical writing
• Transposing and adapting arrangements to individual comfort zones