Nigel Tuffs

The Beginner Guitarist Book 2

The Beginner Guitarist has been born out of 20 years of teaching experience. Although specifically designed as a teacher's aid, it can also be used for independent study.

Topics like posture, tuning and phrasing are not prescribed, being left to the judgement of the teacher. With the exception of right and left-hand fingering advice, this approach is used throughout the series. The entire series has the goal of being a measured and progressive tutor. Ideas are usually introduced one at a time to avoid overloading the student.

Book Two aims to build on solid right and left-hand techniques and covers further progress in notation recognition. It begins with the introduction of quavers (eighth notes) and further focus on the free stroke (tirando). This is balanced with the need to keep the rest stroke (apoyando) solid by giving the pupil a chance to play both melody and accompanying parts.

Extensive exercises for finger 4, via chords and melody, are included but the main aim is to complete the learning of the notes in first position, taking in several scales and modes along the way. Simple open chords are also given further attention and the book concludes with coverage of chromaticism relating to the bottom three strings.

About the author: Nigel Tuffs is an instrumental teacher with more than 20 years of experience in all areas of guitar teaching. Originally a member of several rock bands he completed an honours degree at the Colchester Institute, specialising in composition and performance, and has since worked extensively as a chamber musician, in guitar ensembles, as an accompanist and also as an educator.