20 Practice Routines for Classical Guitar: Graded exercises and studies for classical guitar pre-written in a clear and structured progression.

Why should I use 20 Practice Routines for Classical Guitar instead of Pumping Nylon?Pumping Nylon grew out of Scott Tennant’s desire to have something to give to his conservatory students for them to work from. And while it has grown into something much bigger than that, his preface warns “not to confuse this book with a method book..it is not sequenced progressively…It is more of a reference book..”20 Practice Routines, on the other hand, is a carefully sequenced series of technical and musical challenges that progress logically (and inexorably) though the standard 8 grades of classical guitar proficiency established and recognized worldwide. However, unlike the technique books issued by such groups as the Royal Conservatory, these routines have been specifically developed for the adult amateur classical guitarist, and extensively beta-tested on over a thousand of us at Dr. Powis’s Classical Guitar Academy (of which I am, at age 60, a relatively new member).In front of me now (in addition to both editions of Pumping Nylon & the Royal Conservatory Guitar Technique Book), are Iznaola’s Kitharlogos, Johanson’s Daily Grind, and Kappel’s Bible of Classical Guitar Technique (described by Bradford Werner as “Pumping Nylon on steroids”). If you’re a conservatory student, or in the depths of a mid-life crisis, buy all of them. But if you’re ready to buckle down and bring on the classical guitar for the love of music, 20 Routines will get you from here to there in ways that you probably wouldn’t have imagined were possible.OK, I get it. But I can get some of these others as spiral-bound books, and that’s kind of a deal-breaker for me.I know what you mean. And while this perfectly bound edition lends itself well to spiralization (Kinko’s, Office Depot, Staples), you can also order a spiral-bound edition directly from Dr. Powis

I have been a student of Dr. Powis' online classical guitar school - Classical Guitar Corner (CGC) - for 2 years and can vouch, firsthand, for his talents both as a virtuoso world-class performer and exemplary instructor. This book is a wonderful addition to his already impressive body of work. The practice routines in this book are the same as the ones in the online curriculum but with the added benefits of being all in one place and available to students not affiliated with the academy. Somehow, Dr. Powis has been able to take all the guesswork out of technique practice while at the same time making it interesting and fun. These progressive studies are the most direct method for learning technique that I have come across. I recommend them highly. I have heard that Repertoire and Sight Reading books that will complement these studies are in the offing as well - I'm eagerly awaiting those!

I purchased this Etude book to get a fast start on developing my guitar technique. This Book holds great, short etudes to work up your guitar playing that for the Beginner will find very friendly and advantageous!!

This book is great. I've loved it from its first page. I wish I purchased it sooner. I already see a big improvement in my playing and I'm still on the 1st practice routine.

Its a great book filled with exercises for the beginner, the early intermediate, late intermediate and advanced guitarist. After about a month, I feel I am playing my repertoire a little more confidently, and have a better understanding of time signatures, finger independence and strength, and music theory. I have had a lot of guitar books over the years, Kithalogus, Pumping Iron, Shearer, etc. But this exercise book, along with Sagreras studies, and Sor's and Brouwer's etudes really make my daily practice both a pleasure and a challenge.

I have been a member of the online Classical Guitar Corner Academy for more than a year, so I am very familiar with these practice routines. They are excellent, well organized, progressive routines that have been extremely valuable to me as a beginner. I will enjoy working through them for years to come. Along with the courses that Dr. Powis has made available through the academy, these practice routines have allowed me to make significant progress. I was very excited to receive this well made, bound edition of the routines.

This book by Dr. Simon Powis is an excellent resource if you're looking for practice routines for the Classical Guitar. The book will guide through different exercises that are structured depending on your level of playing, so if you are a beginner or an advanced player, you will surely find something helpful for you everyday routine.

It is a compendium of scales and exercise, but nothing fun, so I never use this book.