Instrumental Influences: Reflections on the Classical Guitar from the Instrument's Most Influential Performers and Pedagogues by Donn LeVie, Jr.

In this Kindle publication we have many of the classical guitar's most influential artists and teachers together providing their thoughts on the psychological, emotional, and even physical approach to performing and teaching the classical guitar. Donn LeVie, Jr. has assembled nearly 60 original essays - 20 from his own experiences with the instrument as well as 40 essays from Grammy Award winners, Grammy Award nominees, Guitar Foundation of America (GFA) First Prize winners, and respected teachers. These fresh essays reveal the individual paradigms out of which are forged the qualities that create a caliber of musician that can perform on any world stage, or a teacher with the gift of imparting practical knowledge to some students, and removing the blinders from others.

Donn LeVies role in this unique contribution has been that of everyman guitarist, where his essays present the perspective of anyone and everyone who has taken up the classical guitar, or for that matter, any other musical instrument. As the ordinary individual with whom the reader can easily identify - and who at times faces extraordinary circumstances - Donn reveals the same struggles, victories, and rewards from the study and performance of the classical guitar that readers and audiences can relate to with head-nodding agreement.

Technique, Mechanism, Learning by Eduardo Fernandez

Here is a book for guitar students who wish to develop their instrumental capabilities to the point of mastery. This book, while not a method, is an attempt to help students internalize the most important aspects of practicing and performing music: Mechanism, the set of acquired reflexes that makes playing the guitar possible; Technique, the procedures to follow in order to master a given passage or overcome a given difficulty; and Learning a Mechanism or Technique, the process of acquiring a reflex or of mastering a passage or overcoming a specific difficulty. The exercises strive to ingrain proper techniques and mechanisms both physically and mentally, making the interpretation of music as natural to the guitarist as walking. The author encourages the student to conquer musical difficulties through critical and intelligent analysis rather than mere repetition. These techniques are intended to return the indispensable feeling of creative playing to musical work, having freed the student from consciously focusing on the physical aspects of playing. Musical examples are in standard notation only.

The Natural Classical Guitar 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 you 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. 291 pages with more than 120 illustrations

Notes from the Green Room: Coping With Stress and Anxiety in Musical Performance by Paul G. Salmon & Robert G. Meyer

Of interest to classical guitar students and professionals alike, this work explains the causes of musical performance anxiety and suggests ways to deal with them effectively. The authors merge contemporary psychological theories of stress and anxiety with consideration of the pragmatic aspects of becoming an effective performer. In doing so they draw on cognitive and behavioral psychology to show how proper preparation as well as techniques such as learning experiments, relaxation training, tension management, graded exposure to groups of various sizes, and self-criticism can relieve the compulsion that often accompanies an individual's musical performance. Many of the techniques and ideas described in this book were developed in conjunction with clients who participated in the performance skills program at the University of Louisville.

Did They Like Me? by Colin Cooper

There is more to performing than just playing the notes. Colin Cooper's wide experience of classical guitar competitions led him to write this alphabetical guide to platform presence, dress and presentation in general, in the belief that anything that can be done to concentrate the attention enables the music to be better assimilated and enjoyed. A guide to platform presence, dress and presentation with a foreword by David Russell.

Medical Problems of Performing Artists edited by Ralph A. Manchester, MD

This is the first clinical medical journal devoted to the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of medical and psychological disorders related to the performing arts. Original peer-reviewed research papers cover topics including neurologic disorders, musculoskeletal conditions, voice and hearing disorders, anxieties, stress, substance abuse, disorders of aging, and other health issues related to actors, dancers, singers, musicians, and other performers.

Keeping your Nerve: Confidence Boosting Strategies for the Performer by Kate Jones

The perfect pocket-sized prop for any performer hampered by stage fright, whether a keen amateur or student preparing for an exam. Full of comforting advise and entertaining anecdotes, this book will go a long way to helping conquer the fear of performing in public and will be of equal interest to teachers, parents and friends of performers. It will help the reader to prepare for performances, understand why musicians perform and why audiences turn up, offer support to friends or pupils who are about to perform, learn how to unwind after a performance, and finally, ultimately enjoy performing.

Zen and the Art of Guitar: A Path to Guitar Mastery (Book and CD) by Jeff Peretz

Using the practice of skill cultivation, one of the principles at the heart of Zen philosophy, you'll discover ways to develop your powers of concentration, let go as a player, and become a complete guitarist. Along the way, you'll learn about the history of Zen; the application of Zen to rhythm, melody, and harmony; and new ways of thinking about familiar musical elements.