How Do You Learn Classical Guitar Using the Christopher Parkening Method?

[@SeanBeavers1]

If you enjoy this video, check out the sequel: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aX7Je6WilMqmrLc

[@rodericksibelius8472]

I taught myself how to play Classical Guitar from that book, along with all recordings of CRIS PARKENING and Andres Segovia Methods.

[@SeanBeavers1]

Great!

[@guillotinedeath]

Just restrung my classical 3 years since I played starting with this book

[@justrichardcharles]

Very useful. After watching one of your previous videos and discussing method books with you, I've purchased a copy of this book and started using it with students. I quite like how it's set out and the material also.

[@SeanBeavers1]

Blue Wave Guitar Tuition I’m glad you like this method.

[@Lutemann]

Parkening's book is not a method, but it is a good repertoire book. The most important concept in using the right hand, the one that virtually fine guitarist uses in free stroke is, of course, not mentioned. It is the idea of maintaining a finger angle in the knuckle and middle joints so that when the finger strikes the string that it will miss next string and a natural return can occur. It's the process of flex and release.

[@SeanBeavers1]

I wish that Parkening’s book included more detail on technique. When using this book with students, I provide additional technique info for them.

Hi guy, this is best methode...Very very very effective pieces inside...Next best book is Scott Tennant basic classical guitar method 1 - 3 volume. In the future I have playlist on my channel

[@SeanBeavers1]

Pavel Bláha official I’m glad you also like this method. Thanks for watching.

[@O3177O]

We need more 😁

[@SeanBeavers1]

I have now created a sequel! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aX7Je6WilMqmrLc

[@ganggadharchandraray6566]

Sir, with due respect, can I learn to the classical guitar properly (with no bad habits) with only the help of method books and no music teacher?

[@SeanBeavers1]

It is certainly preferable to have a teacher if possible. But if you don’t have access to a teacher, combining a method book and KZbin video can still allow you to make significant progress.

[@ganggadharchandraray6566]

@@SeanBeavers1 Thank you sir!

[@SeanBeavers1]

@@ganggadharchandraray6566 Absolutely!

[@Fighka303]

Wish you could walk us through the book I have vol 1 and 2 and I’m already lost on page 30

[@SeanBeavers1]

Droppy Thanks for your comment. If you have a specific question about the book, let me know.

[@Fighka303]

Smart Classical Guitar I’m so frustrated I never know what string I should be on or what octave... I really need to find a teacher

[@SeanBeavers1]

Droppy Finding a teacher is the best solution. Regarding which string you are on, look carefully at the diagrams on early pages of the book, because they connect the notes on the staff with their location on the guitar.

[@SeanBeavers1]

I have now created a sequel: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aX7Je6WilMqmrLc

[@stevejohnson7002]

Good lesson!

[@SeanBeavers1]

Steve Johnson Thanks for watching!

[@johnjomp]

How long does it typically take for a student to go through the whole book, assuming one private lesson a week?

[@SeanBeavers1]

It varies widely, but I would estimate 6 months to a year.

[@lawcch]

standing position to play classical guitar is the best position for me to avoid back pain and stress on our back spine. everyone should experiment different ways holding the guitar properly to prevent long term injury. also have some break time between the time allocated to practice. say 20-30 min interval break.

[@SeanBeavers1]

Lawrence Hiun Thanks for your comment. It is important to find a position that minimizes stress on your body. Taking breaks in practice is also crucial for recovery from the effort of playing.

[@cfmill74]

This is a great book. I'll add my input to some modifications Mr. Parkening made years after this book was published. One is the sitting position. Around 92' Mr. Parkening added a fifth contact for the guitar using the seat of the chair between the legs. Also, an interesting fingering approach Mr. Parkening uses is primarily using just the thumb and index finger alone. Depending on the music of course. And contrary to the book, his nails got much longer through the years than is shown. His Tone is sweeter also because if it. Nice channel!

[@SeanBeavers1]

Chris Miller Thanks for your comment. Thumb and index alternation can work well for certain scale passages, especially on the bass strings. Personally, I don’t recommend the guitar touching the seat of the chair. And I don’t recommend nails longer than 1/16 of an inch past the end of the fingertip and 1/8 inch past the tip of the thumb. I know guitarists vary on these things, and some players make different sitting positions or nail lengths work very well. Thanks for commenting and subscribing!

[@cfmill74]

@@SeanBeavers1 Yeah, I attended Mr. Parkening's master classes from 88' through 96'' in Bozeman MT. During those years I saw these changes in his playing as they happened. When I noticed him with this sitting technique I switched myself. I prefer it much better. It's more stable. He told us in the master class he got this from John Williams. Regarding the thumb and index finger, he would use this combination for slurs, arpeggios, cross string trills etc. Interestingly he uses his index alone with the thumb as support behind it and used it like a guitar pick where he "slices" the treble string like a violin bow and keep the melody on the same string. He got quite remarkable tones using this technique. One can hear this in his recordings. A Tribute To Segovia is one in particular which was recorded during this time frame which demonstrated this very well. Those single string high melody lines! Whoa!

[@SeanBeavers1]

Chris Miller It is interesting to hear of different approaches that guitarists use to get the desired result of making beautiful music.

[@cfmill74]

Also, I should mention something I'm very proud of is I bought Mr. Parkening's 71' Ramirez in 1995. I'd post a picture but KZbin won't allow me to do that. Wonderful guitar! I was at the right place at the right time. :)

[@SeanBeavers1]

@@cfmill74 Great!

[@starflake47]

Hi, Sean. I have the Parkening Vol. 1 method book with CD. I am hesitant to start using it because I've read more than one source opinion that the method progresses too rapidly for a beginner. Not sufficient basic simple exercises and pieces to form a good foundation before introducing more advanced material. What is your view on this? I am asking because you've talked about the Parkening Method as being your favorite. Thanks, Richard

[@SeanBeavers1]

While I think the Parkening method moves a little fast, I learned from this book when I was a beginner and have taught numerous students from it. What I like about it is the quality of music that keeps the student’s interest. What I don’t like is that I disagree with some of the technique info, though some of it is valuable. If you want a book that moves slower and has more simple exercises, you could use the Noad method or Shearer method. I love the technique sequencing of Learning the Classic Guitar, book 2, by Shearer, but most of the musical examples are boring. It is also possible to use Parkening and supplement with one of these other methods or with Royal Conservatory guitar repertoire, introductory volume.

More Interesting! Greetings From Italy

[@SeanBeavers1]

Ruggiero Tatò I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching!

[@an6350]

I am starting to learn classical guitar on my own and was wondering, is this a good book for self-teaching? Also, I don't have a classical guitar (I will get one in a while once I can afford it), is it okay to start learning classical on an acoustic guitar?

[@SeanBeavers1]

A N This is a good book for self-teaching. Of course, it is always helpful to take some lessons when you have the opportunity to do so. You can definitely start on steel-string. If you get serious about classical, eventually moving to nylon-string will feel like taking weights off because it will make playing in the classical style so much easier.

[@an6350]

@@SeanBeavers1 thanks for the reply!

[@SeanBeavers1]

A N Certainly!

[@hookflash699]

Any thoughts on how this compares to Noad's "Solo Guitar Playing", especially for self-study?

[@SeanBeavers1]

I personally like the Parkening Method better as a self-study text. Mainly, I like the music selected for the Parkening method more than the music selected for the Noad method. But the Noad method is also widely respected and widely used, so that one could work too.

[@aminoagua]

Do you need go know how go read music in order to play these songs? Can a true beginner learn from this book? If not, do you know of any videos/apps? Thank you 🙏

[@SeanBeavers1]

A true beginner can learn from this book. It helps to have lessons too, but I have seen true beginners learn from this book without lessons. If you would like weekly articles to help you learn guitar, check out seanbeavers.us

[@aminoagua]

@SeanBeavers1 thank you for the reply! Really appreciate it!

[@SeanBeavers1]

@@aminoagua Absolutely!

[@KevinQualls]

Sean, I have been playing guitar for many years now but I want to finally get into trying to sight read music for guitar and learn classical guitar techniques. My wife recently bought a Yamaha CG142S (beginner) classical guitar for me and I just ordered Christopher Parkening's Method 1. So, thank you so much for making this video! Also, for anyone who wants more bio information of Christopher Parkening, I just saw a great video where he talks about his life. Here is the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6rUh6ppba5_jpY

[@SeanBeavers1]

Kevin Qualls I wish you best of success as you learn note reading and classical guitar techniques. I believe the Parkening Method is a good place to start.

[@KevinQualls]

Thank you, Sean. Yeah, I'm a career Evangelical missionary in Japan. So, I don't have the luxury of learning classical guitar in English. Thanks for the encouragement. I'll see you in your next video, brother!

[@SeanBeavers1]

Kevin Qualls Keep up the missionary work! And keep making music.

[@areguapiri]

@@KevinQualls Stop the missionary evils.

[@guidofeliz8384]

When does a full-time working person find time to go through any book?

[@SeanBeavers1]

I recommend that a working person practice before work when possible because that’s when we are freshest. If that is not feasible, then during a lunch break or after work or on days off are other options.

[@guidofeliz8384]

@SeanBeavers1 : Sounds good.

[@k0ruptiion]

Does this method book talk about planting techniques?

[@SeanBeavers1]

Ben Milano Very briefly. If you are looking for a method that discusses planting in great detail, I recommend Aaron Shearer’s Learning the Classic Guitar, Part 1.

[@AlanMcCarthyguitar]

great books ,I have both . are you full time teacher?

[@SeanBeavers1]

Alan McCarthy Thanks for your comment. I am a full-time guitar professor and associate dean of a university school of music.

[@b-sideplank]

Wow! Such a cool channel.

[@SeanBeavers1]

Saqib Saqib Thanks for watching! And don’t forget to subscribe!

[@AlanMcCarthyguitar]

do you get the students to buy the book themselves?

[@SeanBeavers1]

Alan McCarthy Yes.

[@Fighka303]

I also have the Frederick M. Noad method, The Bible of classical guitar technique and Johann Sebastian Bach the solo lute works second edition book...I’d pay you if you could help me go through them

[@SeanBeavers1]

I am not currently taking new guitar students at the moment. If you would like to email me through sean at seanbeavers.us, I would be happy to connect you with a couple of teachers who are offering Zoom lessons.

[@Fighka303]

Smart Classical Guitar damn I’m not good enough

[@SeanBeavers1]

Droppy It’s not that. I am now a dean at the university where I teach and just don’t have as much time for teaching guitar as I used to have.

[@Fighka303]

Smart Classical Guitar I don’t want to pay for a shitty teacher I wanna excel and live and breathe classical guitar pieces but I understand man

[@SeanBeavers1]

Droppy I only recommend teachers that I believe are good.

[@SeanBeavers1]

For an in-depth breakdown of how to learn a piece of music on guitar, check out How to Learn a Minuet by Paganini on the Guitar: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKXGYnabqtiKi6M

[@Fighka303]

You should just do video by video on this book till the end

[@SeanBeavers1]

Thanks for the suggestion. I will make note of that idea.

[@SeanBeavers1]

I have now created a sequel! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aX7Je6WilMqmrLc