The Shearer Method, Book 2: Classic Guitar Developments: Guitar Book & Online Video/Audio/Software

Shearer's method stands apart because it treats each technical milestone as a musical opportunity rather than an obstacle. The 85 original and arranged compositions aren't generic finger exercises; they're genuine pieces that happen to teach barring, slurs, or arpeggios in ways that make students want to practice them. The addition of video instruction removes the guesswork from how to position the hand or execute a rest stroke, while the TNT 2 software lets you customize accompaniment tempos without sounding mechanical.

Purposeful and musical. Every exercise unfolds as a small composition with harmonic color and melodic shape, so practice sessions feel like learning pieces rather than drilling patterns. The progression builds confidence steadily, and the variety of styles (Renaissance arrangements, Baroque dances, character pieces) keeps the ear engaged across weeks of study.

Intermediate guitarists ready to deepen their technical foundation with a method that refuses to separate technique from music. Students who thrive with clear structure and immediate musical reward will find the 85 compositions motivating. Teachers seeking a comprehensive resource that grows with their students through video support, recorded accompaniments, and curated repertoire will recognize Shearer's system as a complete pedagogical framework.

• Lean on the video demonstrations to verify your hand position before you spend days reinforcing a habit. Shearer's approach depends on correct setup from the start.
• Record yourself playing the duets as written, then swap parts with another student and record again. This builds independent reading skills and reveals balance issues you'll miss playing solo.
• Use the Custom Mix software to slow passages to 60% tempo while keeping the accompaniment's harmonic integrity intact. This is how you practice ornaments and barring without losing musicality.
• Work through the warm-ups at the start of each session in the order they appear. Shearer sequenced them deliberately to prepare the hand for what comes next.

Use this as the spine of intermediate classical guitar instruction, moving through it sequentially over one to two years. It pairs well with student recitals or studio classes; the duets offer natural performance opportunities, and the solo pieces are polished enough for concert or jury settings. The video and audio materials also make it accessible for students learning independently between lessons.

• Rest stroke execution and consistency
• Reading and writing in multiple key signatures
• Right-hand arpeggios across all string combinations
• Barring technique with clean intonation across all positions
• Slur execution (hammer-on, pull-off) with control and musicality
• Ornament interpretation (trills, mordents, grace notes)
• Rhythm reading in mixed meters and syncopated patterns
• Chord studies and voice leading on the fingerboard
• Duet playing and ensemble listening skills