The Shearer Method, Book 1: Classic Guitar Foundations: Guitar Book & Online Video/Audio/Software

Shearer's authority in classical guitar pedagogy carries genuine weight, and this method harnesses that credibility with 63 instructional videos and newly commissioned compositions that would have been impossible in his original 1960s publication. The inclusion of TNT 2 software for tempo adjustment and looping addresses a real teaching reality: students need to hear and isolate technical passages in ways that traditional recordings cannot provide. This is a resource built by someone who understood how guitarists actually learn, updated for how they learn now.

Working through this method feels like having a master teacher in the room, offering both the precision instruction you need and the musical inspiration to sustain your practice. The compositions breathe with genuine classical character, never feeling like exercises for their own sake. There's a thoughtful progression from foundation to artistry that respects the guitar's voice.

Serious students committed to classical or fingerstyle guitar who want to build their technique on a proven, comprehensive system. Teachers seeking a modern curriculum that respects classical tradition while offering the multimedia tools contemporary students expect. Intermediate guitarists looking to correct technical habits or strengthen fundamentals that may have been overlooked in their earlier training.

• Engage with the video instruction before diving into the exercises. Shearer's technical cues appear on camera in ways that reading alone cannot convey; watching his hand position and movement patterns establishes the foundation for everything that follows.
• Use the TNT 2 software to slow recordings to 70-80% speed initially, then gradually return to full tempo. This mirrors how Shearer intended technique to be internalized: through patient, controlled repetition rather than racing through material.
• Pair the solo and duet compositions with the accompanying recordings to develop your ears alongside your hands. The artistic playing on those tracks demonstrates how proper technique translates into tone quality and musical expression.
• Return to earlier exercises frequently as you progress. Classical guitar technique builds cumulatively; revisiting foundational right-hand work ensures each new study sits on a solid technical base.

Assign this as the core method for classical guitar students preparing for jury exams or solo recitals; the depth and breadth prepare them thoroughly. Use the duet compositions as literature for ensemble class, giving students meaningful chamber music while they develop technique. Teachers can recommend the online supplements to advanced students pursuing independent study between lessons.

• Right-hand positioning and stroke technique (rest stroke and free stroke distinction)
• Left-hand positioning, finger independence, and intonation across all positions
• Sight-reading across classical guitar repertoire and varied time signatures
• Tone production and dynamic control through proper technique application
• Interpreting musical expression in classical and romantic-era compositions
• Understanding the relationship between technical foundation and musical performance