What do you think?
Rate this book
Solo Guitar Playing #1
Frederick Noad: Solo Guitar Playing Book 1
For years, the most popular classical guitar method ever published! There are exercises, practice studies, and self-tests, a survey of the guitar repertoire and numerous solo and ensemble compositions. Generously illustrated with photos, diagrams, and musical examples. Instruction, including graded exercises, practice studies, and a survey of the guitar repertoire. With CD.
- GenresMusicReferenceNonfiction
261 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 1968
32 people are currently reading
223 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Read
August 3, 2019Trong lúc tinh thần lên cao bởi nỗi vui sướng cầm được đàn, bật được nốt trong một sớm mưa gió bão táp sau hơn 4 tháng không sờ mó được chút nào, xin gửi lời cảm tạ người thầy xa cách và cuốn sách tôi theo học từ ngày mua nó khi chưa biết guitar là gì tới nay đã hơn 10 năm. Bởi sự học bập bõm nên mới chỉ đi quá bán, dù vậy đã không cưỡng nổi mà lật xem phía sau cũng chỉ còn một số kỹ thuật và chủ yếu là các bài tập, nhưng vẫn xin đánh dấu đã đọc xong (bởi chưng sự học và đọc những cuốn như này sẽ là lâu dài và không ngừng trở đi trở lại) và gửi lời khuyến nghị cuốn này cho các bạn học đàn. E là thời nay khó mà tìm được cuốn này, tôi cũng chỉ vô tình lượm được trong lúc lang thang Đinh Lễ mua tí đọc cho vui, và các bạn học đàn có lẽ cũng ưng học trên YouTube hơn nhưng nếu các bạn giống tôi, thích học có hệ thống theo sách thì cuốn này được. Tuy không nhiều kiến thức nhạc lý và bài tập kỹ thuật nhưng cũng đủ dùng, và tôi cũng chỉ mơ ước đánh được hết các bài trong này là đủ. Sách có CD nghe lấy động lực. Xin gửi lời cảm ơn M. Noad, người thầy đầu tiên, cùng với nhiều người thầy xa cách cả về không gian và thời gian khác. Tôi sẽ tìm cuốn tập 2 của thầy.
November 23, 2018
This book is a challenge. At least it was for me. But definitely a challenge worth overcoming.
When I started, I was a guitarist with 20 years experience in rock and jazz. Mainly focussed on electric guitar.
After having worked through this book, I have improved my technique, my musical repertoire, my note-reading abilities and have grown to love the classical guitar so much, that I haven't picked up the electrical guitar since.
It took me about 6 months to work through.
The hardest part for me was learning how to read notes, since I had only been reading from tab previously. Don't let this disencourage you though. If you keep at it, you will learn it. This will allow you to work from original sheet music, and you will play from musical notes, rather than fret numbers.
Happy reading :)
When I started, I was a guitarist with 20 years experience in rock and jazz. Mainly focussed on electric guitar.
After having worked through this book, I have improved my technique, my musical repertoire, my note-reading abilities and have grown to love the classical guitar so much, that I haven't picked up the electrical guitar since.
It took me about 6 months to work through.
The hardest part for me was learning how to read notes, since I had only been reading from tab previously. Don't let this disencourage you though. If you keep at it, you will learn it. This will allow you to work from original sheet music, and you will play from musical notes, rather than fret numbers.
Happy reading :)
April 24, 2009
I recommend this one for any student of the instrument, beginning through intermediate, not just Classical students. Noad takes the reader from knowing absolutely nothing about the guitar to playing short but complete pieces. Includes works by Bach, Teleman, Tarrega, Sor and John "Lock Up Your Wives and Daughters" Dowland. Lagrima, Adelita and Romance remain in my repertoire. An edition with accompanying CD came out later, but with internet videos, that's obsolete.
September 24, 2017
Complete intro to basics of classical guitar
Excellent! Everything you need to begin playing classical guitar: from note reading and fingering to repertoire for solo and ensemble music, including study notes. Also includes exercises in second, third, fifth and seventh positions. Some arpeggio and chord work as well.
Excellent! Everything you need to begin playing classical guitar: from note reading and fingering to repertoire for solo and ensemble music, including study notes. Also includes exercises in second, third, fifth and seventh positions. Some arpeggio and chord work as well.
September 1, 2017
Fantastic book for self study.
I did have a lot of experience with the guitar before starting this course.
Mainly acoustic, with finger picking.
For me the book was perfect, but for absolute beginners it may be a rather steep learning curve...
I did have a lot of experience with the guitar before starting this course.
Mainly acoustic, with finger picking.
For me the book was perfect, but for absolute beginners it may be a rather steep learning curve...
December 9, 2024
So many great tips on how to play these pieces and playing in general, each page full of wisdom and beautiful music and exercises to improve playing, tone, expressiveness and repertoire. I keep coming back to this book.
October 24, 2025
This book is NOT a good pick if you are just starting with guitar. Note that several 5 star reviews mention they already knew how to play electrical, acoustic, or another related instrument before starting. That is vital.
I can read sheet music. I am coming from a piano background. For starting guitar, I highly recommend something else.
1. Exercises scale too rapidly.
There are not enough exercises at a basic level for someone who is learning finger placement (and how to contort fingers to fit. Hint: if it feels like your fingers might break, you might need a smaller instrument. Do not listen to the 6.5 foot tall male who says you just need to try harder. Listen to your joints and thank me later.) I ended up playing out of my level 1 piano book for extra practice before breaking down and ordering The Guitarist’s Way, which moves at a much slower pace.
2. No fingering notes are given after adding in the ring finger.
Initially, all songs are i,m,i,m, etc. When ‘a’ (ring finger) is introduced, it’s explained that the placement prevents awkward crossovers… and then it’s never noted in the music again. Clearly, I’m supposed to be using that finger in other pieces, but everything feels awkward in the beginning. How do I know when it’s “use ‘a’ here instead of ‘m’” awkward? Very annoying.
3. Limited discussion of the instrument itself
When I got to Malagueña, I realized something was very wrong- my fingers were nearly coming out of joint trying to follow the book’s fingering. I knew there was an issue early on in the fingering exercises from chapter 1; after watching some YouTube videos, it became apparent that the guitar neck was definitely too wide. Over the holidays, tried a different family member’s guitar- voila! I can play! Would’ve been nice to know earlier. (FYI- don’t listen to the idiots who say, “you just need to stretch more.” No. This is not the 1800’s. You don’t need to break your fingers for the sake of art. Someone out there makes an instrument that fits you. Is it an acoustic instead of a classical guitar? Is it sized for a child? Who the frick cares! Go play! Enjoy not being in pain! Fire the teacher who tells you otherwise! Your true friends and family shouldn’t care if you’re playing a classical instrument handcrafted in Spain or an acoustic pawn shop leftover.)
4. Video or CD needed
[the cover here says CD edition, but my edition did not come with CD... if you are set on this book, get one with a CD]
Because sometimes a song seems to have an awkward chord or note, and hearing how it should sound can be helpful. I’ve found mistakes in books before; music helps confirm the notes are correct.
I can read sheet music. I am coming from a piano background. For starting guitar, I highly recommend something else.
1. Exercises scale too rapidly.
There are not enough exercises at a basic level for someone who is learning finger placement (and how to contort fingers to fit. Hint: if it feels like your fingers might break, you might need a smaller instrument. Do not listen to the 6.5 foot tall male who says you just need to try harder. Listen to your joints and thank me later.) I ended up playing out of my level 1 piano book for extra practice before breaking down and ordering The Guitarist’s Way, which moves at a much slower pace.
2. No fingering notes are given after adding in the ring finger.
Initially, all songs are i,m,i,m, etc. When ‘a’ (ring finger) is introduced, it’s explained that the placement prevents awkward crossovers… and then it’s never noted in the music again. Clearly, I’m supposed to be using that finger in other pieces, but everything feels awkward in the beginning. How do I know when it’s “use ‘a’ here instead of ‘m’” awkward? Very annoying.
3. Limited discussion of the instrument itself
When I got to Malagueña, I realized something was very wrong- my fingers were nearly coming out of joint trying to follow the book’s fingering. I knew there was an issue early on in the fingering exercises from chapter 1; after watching some YouTube videos, it became apparent that the guitar neck was definitely too wide. Over the holidays, tried a different family member’s guitar- voila! I can play! Would’ve been nice to know earlier. (FYI- don’t listen to the idiots who say, “you just need to stretch more.” No. This is not the 1800’s. You don’t need to break your fingers for the sake of art. Someone out there makes an instrument that fits you. Is it an acoustic instead of a classical guitar? Is it sized for a child? Who the frick cares! Go play! Enjoy not being in pain! Fire the teacher who tells you otherwise! Your true friends and family shouldn’t care if you’re playing a classical instrument handcrafted in Spain or an acoustic pawn shop leftover.)
4. Video or CD needed
[the cover here says CD edition, but my edition did not come with CD... if you are set on this book, get one with a CD]
Because sometimes a song seems to have an awkward chord or note, and hearing how it should sound can be helpful. I’ve found mistakes in books before; music helps confirm the notes are correct.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews