Thirty short pieces for beginners here with useful aspects for teaching, composed with a nice sense of musical balance using very restricted means. Each piece explores a certain technical, rhythmical and melodic idea using familiar notes and keys generally in first position. Presentation is clear; fingering is sparse and only noted when clarification is important. For example when second position is required. Alternation of fingers and thumb dominates the first few pieces, which are progressive in difficulty and often make use of repeated notes. I particularly enjoyed Dialogue here, which helps to develop the thumb with repeated open bass strings. Valse in A major is an attractive melody in second position with open basses, useful for developing a sense of key as is Un Nuage Passe and Surprise en La. There are several simple blues pieces and enjoyable arpeggio studies, all technically repetitive with appealing simple melodies. This volume has much to offer at the Initial-Grade 1 level. Recommended.
(Linda Kelsall-Barnett, Classical Guitar Magazine)
