The Principles of Correct Practice for Guitar: The Perfect Start for Beginners and the Answer to the Problems of Players Paperback – January 1, 1998

The Essential Knowledge for ImprovementJamie Andreas has developed a brilliant approach to practicing the guitar which can enable anyone with the desire to improve, a way to get there. I've owned this book for four years and I value it's truths now more than ever. When I first bought the book on Amazon I noticed the "Yin Yang" symbol on the cover art but paid it no particular mind. As I studied the book and learned more about Jamie's teaching approach via her GuitarPrinciples website and YouTube channels, I came to realize the "Yin Yang" symbol was no coincidence nor random choice. Jamie has a true understanding of the mind-body relationship and it's importance in the process of learning to play the guitar. I'm here on Amazon reviewing this book now (4 years after purchase) because I've taken the next step and recently enrolled in Jamie's online class teaching The Principles of Correct Practice for Guitar. Learning online with other students, getting personalized advice from Jamie, it has "unlocked" this book for me. With this knowledge you will have the potential to achieve any level of guitar playing you desire.

Not bad for tips on relax and preparation as a new guitar player. The author is very gracious in replies to emails and questions. It did help me focus on better form when playing and the science behind it. Be advised this is not a guitar method book per se on how to play scales, modes or things like that. She has books on that area I believe and videos. It was helpful to get me thinking on relaxed playing with better hand and finger position.

I agree with the reviewer who thought this book was a "goldmine" of information. I have been using this book, along with Aaron Shearer's books for classical guitar, for about a year. If you follow Jamie's advice diligently you will improve as a guitar player - but, be patient, it takes a while before you notice results.Word of warning: Jamie Andreas uses LOTS of words to describe her methods. I have also noticed this on all her videos. She will take 2-3 paragraphs (sometimes 2-3 pages) to explain something that should require only 2 sentences. There are also many anecdotes in the book (as with all her books), which you probably don't really care about. This book could have been written with the exact same info using only about 30 pages.Again - it's much reading for a little information, but the info is worth gold. Just be patient with the whole process and you should improve as a player.

I have been on Amazon since it started and i dont think i have ever written a review, but this book has had the greatest impact on my guitar playing then any other.The title is not meant to be provocative, there are many reasons why we play guitar, and we all have different goals... If you are looking for a book to teach you scales & chords, there s a million out there, but this is not it. This is not a book that tells you what to play, its a book that shows you , as the title suggests THE PRINCIPLES of HOW to play. I played guitar for 20 years on and off prior to encountering Jamie Andreas work, I always sort of felt proud of the fact i was self taught (really shouldnt have!), but i had reached a level of frustration cause i plateaued for years; The plateau i had reached was self imposed, because i just had been practicing with bad habits and technique that if left to my own I would have never overcome. But some people may be perfectly happy just being able to play some songs and not sweat the technique, well this book is not for them lol.This book (although i doubt many beginners would grab it) would be a GODSEND for anyone just starting with guitar. But i think it can only appreciated after you have been around the block with a ton of guitar methods and realize that something is just not right as far as guitar playing improvement. I think this is a pretty common experience.I came across this book actually through looking for a practice routine book (which by the way this book isnt ), and it was passed to me as a pdf from a friend and it was partial and an older version. Ran across it on Amazon , and remembered i had the pdf. I can understand the people that were disappointed and left bad reviews here, because the truth is the first time i read through it, i just didnt get it. I sort of read thru it and put it aside.However the Amazon reviews made me investigate the author, i came across her youtube channel, and everything she talked about just resonated with me.. Long story short, i got the book, i started looking thru all her videos and once i locked in to her way of thinking on the vids all of a sudden the book clicked.This book is an absolute classic and i would recommend it to anyone willing to put in the work and learn the tools to actually learn the instrument.

I sincerely wish that I had this when I began playing many years ago. I learned to play all wrong, and if I had had this book, I would have enjoyed the guitar much more and doubtless performed with it.