The Techniques of Guitar Playing

This book, co-written by guitarist Seth F. Josel and composer Ming Tsao, provides a comprehensive survey of contemporary performance techniques on the classical guitar. It was inspired by a new generation of solo guitarists whose extraordinary technical and virtuosic skills have paved the way for a new understanding of instrumental performance practice.
Detailed explanations are given for the instrument’s technical potential within the historical context of traditional guitar technique. Composers will be interested in the in-depth analyses of contemporary guitar literature, featuring many examples of chamber and ensemble music.

Four main chapters describe:
- Techniques of the right and left hands
- Special harmonies and percussive techniques
- The main instruments of the guitar family and their potential
- Possible ways of notating contemporary guitar literature

The examples discussed in the book are complemented by music samples for download from the Bärenreiter website (see Extras) and detailed charts on multiphonics, bitones, and percussion techniques.