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      In the last issue of PCGS News I had some fun with a book that purported to be the ultimate in guitar books. Needless to say, the fun was in poking a few holes in its pomposity. In this issue I'd like to share with you what I believe is a sincere attempt to give one who is not very guitar savvy, an overview of the guitar and its technique.

      I was drawn to this little book by its cover. What, a book with such a general title, yet with pictures of classical guitars all over the front? One would certainly expect to see the latest in cool electrics, but what I found inside was even better. The writer doesn't pretend to be the guitar guru, sent to earth to teach the masses. On the contrary, the book is a non-pretentious little book for under $10 that does a nice job of laying out what it takes to play a little guitar. It is one in a series of books written by Mr. Evans that include how to play the piano and how to play the keyboard. I want to be clear that I'm not recommending How To Play Guitar as a book that will replace a good teacher, or a method for someone who has classical stardom in their DNA. But it is fine for someone who knows little, but who wants to learn a little more. It is one of the only books of its kind that I can say will do no harm.

      How To Play Guitar is devoted to more than just where to put your fingers. Mr. Evans spends some time with topics like different styled guitars and how to buy them, what to do if you are left-handed, traveling with your guitar, learning to play new music, good practice habits and changing strings. The information is basic stuff, things which those of us who have been playing for years might take for granted, but for the newcomer it's essential and valid info, even if at times a little shallow. When he talks about the quandary of the lefthander he says:

      Many left-handed people have no problem learning to play the guitar in the usual way. In fact, they often learn more quickly, because the left hand does the most intricate work in the first part of guitar playing.

      In my 36 years of teaching I have never taught a left-handed beginner to play a left-handed guitar. Not once has someone, to my knowledge, regretted it. I only wish that Mr. Evans would be more adamant, for he goes on to say:

      However, the regular guitar does not suit everyone who is left-handed, so before you buy a guitar, it is best to find out whether you can play the regular instrument, or if you need a special left-handed guitar.

      Bless you Paul McCartney and Jimmy Hendrix.

      This book does not claim to teach classical guitar as such, but early on it says, "The ÔClassical' position, used by many top players, is considered the best way to hold a guitar." From then on it sticks with what we might call classical technique in teaching basic chords and folk songs. It also delves a little into the reading of music. There is a little of everything to get your feet wet.

      I have only one caveat. Some of the illustrations are a bit misleading. On page 19, the male guitarist could be sitting a little more forward on his bench, and the woman guitarist is sitting in that old tried, but not so true, cross- legged position. In this way, and with the players bending their right wrists a little more than most teachers today would like, the book shows its age. It was written more than 20 years ago. Oh, I suppose I could nit-pick more about a few little things. For instance, perhaps the book could refer to the right-hand fingers by the letters, p, i, m and a, instead of numbers, but I suppose this was a compromise so as not to scare off the rest of the guitar world.

      The left-hand techniques presented are accurate and overall the book shows one how to play the guitar with simple and clear explanations. One who uses this book to learn a few things will not present much of a challenge to the teacher that I hope she would seek out. However, if she only learns the few songs and techniques presented, she will gain an insight into a little of what it takes to play well.

      I have a dear friend who thinks the best guitar piece I could ever play is "The House of the Rising Sun". If he ever asks me to teach him something, I think I'll just buy him this book. Since it was written before 1979, our culture has turned more and more away from classical music. It has obviously, on it's own, not done the trick of converting the masses. But it is one small step, bridging the gap and drawing readers toward what is good technique, and making the word classical a little less intimidating.

      Mr. Evans certainly has a respect for the classical guitar, as in his book he refers to "classical techniques" that can be used in playing folk music. In these little ways some readers and players of this book might have paths laid that would eventually lead them to the love of the classical guitar and its music.

      It is a little unfair to review a book written so long ago, for perhaps the author would do things quite differently if he were to write it again. But this is such a little treasure, that I wanted to bring it to your attention in case you have a friend like mine.

      A belated congratulations to you, Mr. Evans, for from my friend's perspective, this is a nice little book for the rest of us. I'm glad it's still in print. --- K. G.