"Mastering Guitar Technique"
Christopher Berg
The rather weighty title here is matched by many words on the deep subject of guitar technique and, though I have obviously seen and read very many books on the subject, Mr. Berg's analysis is among the most thorough and professional to come my way. It is not a tutor book but rather more a look into the deeper and deepening recesses of technique; almost every small detail of movement is painstakingly taken apart and described along with seating and so on through into actual exercises. In effect, there are 24 main sectors in the book dealing with all and any trouble spots a guitarist may come across during a career, professional or amateur.
My interest immediately perked up as I read page 16...the Quadridge Phenomenon. This is where the free movements (for all of us) between the m and a fingers are affected. I noted that even after years of playing m/a work, those two fingers never quite had the efficiency of i/m or any thumb interaction. This part of the book delves into this area more than any other guitar book and it answers the main questions one would expect to find on this topic. A sector follows on the art of study and practicing correctly; with the correct mental and physical approach of course and, here again, no stone is left unturned as the author essays what could be a rather plain or even boring subject area in the wrong hands. At times, quite large (and even new) words come into play as various modes of hand and finger movement are discussed in the most minute way... if you are having real problems playing clearly, efficiently and in a relaxed manner, this could be the book for you to read and open up your technical know-how.
I feel just one or two areas could have had more explanation: the Barré
and also the area of Finger Exchange on the left hand. I have to point out here
that even the great Aguado falls short in his excellent Method and Sor too when
it comes to telling the player what to do AFTER notes have been pressed and
sounded... here we have the same problem.
Without going into gigantic detail, I am very surprised that such an efficient
player as Aguado, did not pass on to the pupil the exact nature of the touch
on the left hand; even the popular Carcassi tutor has no real data on this.
In the area of the Barre, the thumb can be devastating if wrongly used and can
ruin and tire the hand; Lesson 17 in this new book does not mention this common
fault at all. These are minor niggles however in what is a very fine book, written
expertly and with the best intentions.