..

~
 'r6e Guitdrist:S ~
Book~

Welcome to the Millennium Edition of The Guitarist's Way . ....

The series is designed primarily for those who are taking their first steps in playing the
guitar, either in small groups or as individuals. It is assumed that there will be a teacher to
give appropriate individual guidance, including how to hold and tune the guitar.
Through a series of graded tunes and exercises, Book One leads to the playing of simple
melodies on the top three strings, whilst developing a secure technique in both hands. A
few bass notes are then introduced, followed by pieces which combine a melody with a
simple bass accompaniment.
Throughout the four books of the series, many pieces can be combined to produce duets
or ensemble items. This will help to develop the enjoyable and important skill of playing
with other guitarists. Phrase marks are omitted for the sake of clarity, but can easily be
added according to personal preference.
Many people have helped us during our journey along "The Way", but of these we would
especially like to thank Alison Bendy for all her comments and advice on the editorial
side, and all of our many students who have "road-tested" the pieces and given us their
verdicts!
We hope you have lots of fun in this exciting adventure .....

'Pdf-vJ~ ~Ge_~
(~j~~,\~0 ,'eG\

CZJ;r-
Original compositions are marked PN or fW. )\..eS~~ ~
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in
,-----
any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying
or otherwise, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Music setting & layout: john Whitworth

Cover artwork: Peter Nuttall
Illustrations: Peter Nuttall & Gerald Garcia
Boll SOOl
Editors: Alison Bendy, Peter Nuttall & john Whitworth
Printed by Artisan Litho, Oxford, on paper Ninth Edition
produced from sustainable forests ©Holley Music 2000
 INTRODUCTION

Music is written on 5 parallel lines called a STAVE

The TREBLE CLEF ~ at the beginning of each stave fixes the pitch of the notes:

a-. 4 o
E
()

F
0

G A
0

8
()

c
0

D
()

E
0

The NOTES (oval shape) can be either:

.
. ......
...... •

..

ON THE LINES or IN THE SPACES

0 ()
0 ()
0 ()

'
0 ()

E G 8 D F F A c E

Most music is divided into regular BARS by vertical lines called BAR-LINES

f (The 'TIME SIGNATURE') means '4 beats In each bar' 4i E E F ()

II
j lasts for 1 beat (= CROTCHET) f' lasts for 2 beats (= MINIM)

r· lasts for 3 beats (= DOTTED MINIM) o lasts for 4 beats (= SEMIBREVE)

THE RIGHT HAND

L p
·.
lY\... ... .

a··

A number in a circle
tells you
which STRING to play

2
 string string string ~ ~
CD ® ®
Open Strings
4 n

E
0

8
0

G
II

"' Fingers play

REST STROKE
~

m l m

Count 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

4F F F F Ir r r r Ir r r r IF F ~ 1 2 3 4
I ~, Also I
-----.mimi

~ m i m m

2giEEFEIF t lr r r r lr F
Count 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

4r r r IF F r lr r r r IE r r ~

',,1
.,.~·

~ ~ IF F r IF rr F e
1 2 3 4
~ ~·
Ensemble: 1, 2 & 3 in any combination Remember to alternate
Play any one as a canon your right hand fingers

3
 Prelude

4JJJJiJJJ IJJJJio lrrrrlrrr

p f

4rrEEio IJJJJIJJJ IJJJJI"

p f
1
I p (piano) means SOFT I If (forte) means LOUD I

Using the Left Hand

string---
left hand fing e r - _ ~
2

Notes on ®
string three 4~ ..:>'

G
<,
A
11
--

s 4I'd d Id I.J J IJ J I
cJ cJ d Id rJ IJ J IrJ d I

6 4I d IJJJJIJ J IJJJJI
cJ rJ rJ IJJJJ IJJ JJ Id cJ I
5, 6, 9 & 10 make accompaniments
to "The Drunken Sailor"

®
2 0

e
()
i
A 8

~
7 4I JJJJIJ J J J IJ JJ J IJ J J J IJJJ J Io =II
4
 Folk Song B &I ;;l ;;l J J IJ J IJ J J J I;;l J j I

&;;J ;;J J J IJ J IJ J ;;J J Io 41 Mark in some DYNAMICS

(Lauds and softs)

~J~~~0~~~~~,~~
0

Notes on ®
string two
I ~ c
8

9
~ I 'F- F- IF- F- l'r F IF F IF F- IF F IF F IF F= I

10
$I rrrrIF F IrrrrIF F IrrrrIF F IF FFIF F I
® ®------,
-J:_ 0 2 0 1

Four Notes lj o " j o " I

G A 8 c

Up from G 11 &I J J J J I r r r r I r r J J I J J j :I

l.i means 2 beats in a bar I The Fiddler (crescendo)

GETTING LOUDER

~mi m zm 1

12
4 I r r IF Ir r IJ IJ J lr r IF r IF
p

~fF F IF IF F IJ IJ J. IF F IF F IF
5
 If time I
l
Waltz 13 4I E E E Ir r r IJ J J If:"
Count 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3
I
I Right hand: im or ami or ima I ~

4J J J lr r r IEEE IF-" :II IEnsemble: 1-bar canon I

I,
I

: ~··
---:~--- ~- .. Dutch Folk Song

14 4~ J J w 1 rrr 1 JJJ J 1 jJ J J r r r I 1

4J J J IJ lr rr lr r r lr r r 1J
4J J J Ir r r IJ J J IJ
f
:I
D can be played with
Chinese Tune finger 3 or finger 4

~ 15
4I FFFF Ir r r r IFFFF I F r I

-
4FFFFirrrriJJJJIJ J Ji~
~_--._:®
___ ~~

16 4I J ~ I J ~ :II J 1 2 3
J IF F Ir FI
4
0
II
JW

IDuet: 15 & 161

6
~*~errily

Five Note
Dictionary
 Six Note Dictionary
,... ®
0 2
®
0 3 0
CD ~
e n
e ()
! e n
! II
' G ~

At the Show
8 c D E

-J_ 1 m (
21
@I FFr F I F F IF F F I FF F- IFEr r IF- 1 2 3 4
F- I

4FF r I" :I
PN!JW

La Bergamasca ~~
....Jore,J Elizabethan Dance Tune

23 , lr r EElr r j Wlr r EEIF r F lr r FFIJ J j WI

f p f
Accompaniment

4F F F F I J J J
p
:II 24 4I J r- IF J :II
I Duet: 23 & 241 IEnsemble: 2- or 4-bar canon I
8
 ...

German Folk Song

25
'irrr 1rJJ IJJrrlrrr lrrr lrJd'

4JJrrlo ~JJJJ1JJr-
p
lrrrrlrrr

4f r F IF J d IJ J f f I
f
o II

New note

~
Using the Right Hand Thumb
Thumb plays
FREE STROKE I Rest ima on CD I D

Fine D.C. al Fine

2
6 4I cJ cJ
P----------
IJ J I cJ J I o =II J J
p
1J JJ I cJ cJ IJ J cJ I
IDuet: 25 & 261
/
~: Bugle Calls
....
--. "

27(i) 4I JJ J IJ J I
P-----------
cJ J IcJ. IJ J J IJ :J :J IJ :J IcJ. I

(ii) ' :J :J :J Ir· I:J :J :J IJ. I:J :J :J Ir· IJ J J IJ. I

(iii) 4 cJ J IJ· <J IJ J J IJ I cJ <J IJ <J IJ J J I cJ. Til

ICompose some more! I Ensemble: 1- & 2-bar canons
Also: (i) & (ii) & (iii)
9
 ~~ In the Moonlight

1: 28~~~~~~~
4rrrrl~ J IFrrJio I D.C. al Fine~

I Duet: 28 & 291

G)--------,

Notes on 1
string one CD
4 ', 1
0

F
3
0

II
E G
~
.. ,,
" ~ I I

4F r F Ir F= IF r F Ir r I D.C. al Fine

"i ""~ fr Good King Wenceslas ~-~J'c'·l/;,

30
41r r r r Ir r J
f
1J J J J 1r= r * 1r r r r 1
p

4rrJ 1JJJJ1r r*1rrcr1rrr 1JJJJ1

4F r * IJ J J J Ir r F IEf EF Ir f
F Ir· * :II
IDuet: 30 & 31 (!) I ~ is a 1 beat (crotchet} rest
10
 ® ® CD
0 2 0 1 3 0 1 3
Eight Note
Dictionary ~
1\
..
e n ! (e
l 1 e ! l J
e o
II Learn C major scales
on page 15
~
G A 8 c D E F G

Aunt Rhody Ame~olk Song

31
&zr EFIF r~lr FFIEFr*l

&r
•f FFIF r= r IF F r F 1 r· ~ : 11 ....

The Tallis Canon

32$tr IF r FF IFF EE IFF EEIFF FfEiFFCEI

• '1.•

(.:~

&r r r J 1 JJr r r r r :I
1
!l

Oh when the Saints American Jazz Tune

~
tJ
ltrEFIF E
- 0

ilrCFI
~
~
I* rEF 1°

~ r Ie I: CCF Ir· ~ ~ §"

-

~· r F 1r r lr- r I" ~
11
 @ ® ®
The Six Open Strings:
u
II
E 8 G
D
A E

lntheDeep ~

34413 3 IJ J 13 3 lee IJ J IJ J IJ J 1 0

p (thumb)----------

sf "'-""
I3 3 IJ J IJ @ I_ Jl
RESTS New note
=1 beat =4 beats
~
~ ---
or
--- =2 beats whole bar Needing a Rest
(12-bar Blues) E

-~-' Jungle 1ouet:3s&••l

3641JJJJIJJ- IJJJJIJ- 1JJJJ1JJ- I

2 0 2

1JJJs1JJ- IJJJJIJ. s:if~ JW

f
12
 ~ I• I 1 1~ :J. m i
"I!~ Fingers
\ 1 I
~
I

"'~Thumb
... 37gzJ;JJI-
--- ---~
- --
IJ;JJI-
--- -
- -
-
pr r r rr
~
1/ljf I ,,q,, \~~

gJj JJI - IJ j j J Io ~ IWh;~e':,~s~~ ~~~!~~;~~~es:

- ___ === ~ ___ --. = JW Stems down • use thumb

rrr r
~ Song of the Mountains

&I J J-J- J I~J J i

m 1

sa IJ J-J- J ld _d IJ J} J 1: J f =I
f r- (let it ring on) r-
&j J j J 11 Finell j j j J J J j pJ j j J ld j
---
1
--.
r
- PN
(unaccompanied)
1
p

g;;;WIJJJ I;JJ;JJI" B D.C.al

H Fine
--- -

r
Accompaniments
p 1 m i

39 g I * J J J :I n \;/
"IT
or 3 7 or I I I I I I
z m
E minor
J j chord
(strummed)

"IT
..... or any combination!

13
 Leave out the bass
Carnival notes at first

41 ' IJ J I J ~ J J IJ J I~ J ~ ;J I
mf~ r r-- ~ ~ r r-- ~
it. 1
J ~ J J I j. J I
&a IJ __..
0

==
:II
~
r r~ ~ -
r r
- ~
r r
-;_ 2.
~.. IJ J I.. I
~rr ~-- ~rr
p rr
rail.
PN

rail. (rallentando) means SLOWING DOWN mf (mezzo-forte) means MODERATELY LOUD

mp (mezzo-piano) means MODERATELY SOFT

Spanish Dance

r· r· -

r·
-
r·
14
 ~k
Allow the bass notes to
Ukraine Folk Song ring on over the rests

£zd ~JIJ JJIJ JJ1~JJ d ~J J JJ

43
~ ~ . ~ r· .~ I I . I
mfr ~r ~r~f" ~~

~J J J 1:' IJ ~ J IJ J J IJ J J I~ J J I
~ r· r p
~ r· ~ r· ~ -r· --- }~ r= -
d ~ J IJ J J J J J _}Hi) .. .,
r ----========== f
.~
f
r .---~...

w DAILY SCAL,~
~~~
&
G major ' I" J J "( F l"f F J J I
2
a :I

A minor ' a.J nJ 'r"f I'F r FF I.. I

c major ' l'r"r'r'f 1'E f Ff I " I

Scale· of C major
(plagal range) 'I'F "f 'F 'r 1'E 'r 'E "f I'F "r .J oW I,J ,J 'F- :II
®___J CD ® ® ®_J
15
 ......

TUNING the GUITAR

® ® @) ® ® CD
(111
n
e
II bf \ fll

' . .1. . . .
e
u
-e-
"U"

o~n E A D G 8 E
string
..
I
I
~
I
I
..I
I
...
I
I + I
I I I
I I
I I I I
I
I
Tune ® to E if possible.
1st fret I
I
I
I
I
I I I
I I I
I I
I I I
I I

I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
Play® at fret 5. Tune open® to this note.
I I I
I I
2nd fret I I
I I Play ® at fret 5. Tune open @ to this note.
I I I
I I
I I I
I I

I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
Play@ at fret 5. Tune open@ to this note.
I I I
I I
I
3rd fret
I I I I

I
Play@ at fret 4. Tune open® to this note.
I I I I
I I I
Play ® at fret 5. Tune open CD to this note.
I I
I I I I
I
I I I
I
I I I
I
I I JBI I
I

4th fret I

I
I I
I

I
I
I
I Check tuning with E minor chord (see p.13)
I
I I I

( tl~I ~~~
5th fret J~ ~ J~
IDI

NOTE FINDER

® ® @) ® ®
:ie
CD
!On 1e 3o
ar
-e-

!00 !oe 2o ;ae

1u
II
'
(J

3-e- 2e 3
3"U" 0-e- 2"U" E F G A 8 c D E F G A
o"U" 1-e-
A 8 c D ~
L__j
s
L__j
s
E F G t__--J s
t__--J s
s s = semitone

16
After Book One you will be ready for . . .
THE GUITAIUSrS WAY BOOK 2 .... Peter Nuttall & John Whitworth Holl S002
In Book 2 you will find: new rhythms involv~ng quavers and dotted crotchets - bass notes - two-note chords - sharps & flats
- easy free stroke - position changing - fifth position ...... and lots of exciting pieces, including Got the Blues, Polish Donee,
Gypsy Dance, Drunken Sailor, Night Flight, Adagio & Toccota.

FIRST CAROLS .. . . arranged by John Whitworth Holl S011

A popular collection of twelve favourite carols, arranged with the first year player in mind. They stay mainly in first position
and are ideal companion material to Books I & 2 of The Guitarist's Way. Chord symbols are included for a second player.
The illustrations are by Gerald Garcia.

THE ROBIN HOOD PIECES (2 or more guitars) ... . . John Whitworth Holl E051
An exciting suite of five descriptive pieces, suitable for first year players (either singly or in an ensemble), with an interesting
accompaniment part for the teacher (or Grade -4/5 pupil!). Works well as a school project.
Titles: The Flight of the Arrow- Robin Hood & /Jttle John - Forest Voices - Friar Tuck - Robin & Marion

DRUNKEN SAILOR (4 or more guitars) .. arranged by John Whi Holl E052

A dramattc setting of the well-known sea shanty for guitar ensembles of mixed ability One part is very easy and suitable for
near beginners. The other three parts are approaching Grade I level. Score & 2 sets of parts

TRIO of KINGS (3 or more guitars) . . . . . arranged by John Whitworth . Holl E053

A dramatic setting of the carol We Three Kings. The melody is shared between the three parts, one of which is easier than
the other two. Suitable for first and second year players, and an ideal Christmas concert item. Score & 2 sets of parts

L
-
Book One backrng tracks available for
r-·. •o--' MWW.alisont
These exciting backing tracks (created by Oli Whitworth)
I

will add a whole other level of enjoyment to your playing!

com J
Free sample downloads from our other books too!

For more gu tar music by Peter Nuttall: visit www.peternuttall.co.uk

Our catalogue is available online at www .alisonbendy.com or by post from the address below

/
,/
HOLLEY MUSIC
25 Bickerton Road
Headington
Oxford OXJ 7LT
England