The Natural Classical Guitar: The Principles of Effortless Playing

by Lee F. Ryan

The Natural Classical Guitar presents a holistic approach with 10 principles that will help you develop yourself as well as your playing. The basic principle is to let nature support you in every way so that your playing is as effortless as possible. Related principles show how to practice and perform better by settling your mind, relaxing your body, balancing relaxation and activity, and using your mind to guide your fingers.

Genres: Music

290 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1984

Reviews

[Bill Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was one of Lee Ryan's students years ago when he lived in San Diego. His spiritual approach to classical guitar playing really made a big impact on me. To this day, I view classical guitar playing as a spiritual practice. His book follows along the same line, but with a lot of practical detail. For me, his emphasis on relaxation techniques while playing has improved my guitar playing a lot.

I believe this book would be an enormous help to anyone who is in their early years of classical guitar playing since Lee's suggestions serve to build solid, useful playing habits that will result in a more beautiful, satisfying, and spiritual guitar playing experience.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book. There are some fantastic ideas in the text and everyone who plays guitar should read it. Some of the portions related to technique are debatable but better information can be found in other books on the market. A very relaxed approach to guitar in practicing and performing. Much of it is related to Eastern philosophy but the book is not dominated by it. Recommended.

[Stephen Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you can find a copy, this is a great read on playing with less tension and unnecessary effort. If you can't find a copy, you can do just as well if not better by reading The Art of Classical Guitar Playing by Charles Duncan, which came out a few years before Ryan's book and which seems to have supplied a lot of Ryan's ideas (sans the eastern mysticism slant).