The book aims at breaking the stereotypes and myths that the comprehensive knowledge of theory is a secret knowledge, given only to a few, to the chosen ones, obtainable only in music schools and at universities. On the one hand, it is a compendium of knowledge about the principles of music, harmony, so called theory in a nutshell. On the other hand, it is an advanced lecture on the language of improvisation for everyone, regardless of the style in which they intend to develop in the future.
It is written in accessible language. It deals with intervals, chords, scale structure, pentatonics, passages, hexatonics, alterations, rhythmic phenomena, modulations and many other elements necessary for conscious music making. Also includes a basic course in note reading.
The ideas presented in the book can be applied to any musical style. In the manual, the reader will find many examples of solo lines that are analyzed step by step, thus opening up the possibility of consciously constructing your own informed solos.
The lecture is built on the principle of “spiral”. The author presents the issue, discusses it, then takes a break so that in the meantime he presents the necessary knowledge to return to the issues of interest, but already at a higher level.
The manual provides information on what to exercise, how to exercise, and how to organize an individual training, exercise system.
Reviews:
“Absolute, clean and perfectly given knowledge! For beginners as well as for advanced students of the art and craft of guitar. Full range of material from many areas and issues. Not only the intervals, scales, harmony or so hated fifth wheel given in a friendly way, but also the description of the basic guitar technology as a very important element in creating an unlimited palette of guitar colors. I only have a small regret to Peter that the book was published at least 20 years too late”.
Piotr Łukaszewski
“School of guitar improvisation” by Piotr Wójcicki is an important position on the Polish publishing market for several reasons. The material contained in it is compact, providing a condensate of essential knowledge for a new crowd of guitarists. The author discusses issues absolutely necessary in the process of musical education in the context of theory and practice. This is a valuable position and I am convinced that it should be included in every collection of teaching materials, not only for future masters of the guitar art. I recommend !!!!!”
Grzegorz Kapołka
“Piotr Wójcicki’s New Guitar School is a superbly presented collection of the most important issues for an instrumentalist who wants to learn to play the guitar. The issues contained in over a dozen chapters introduce the reader in detail to the phenomena of rhythm, harmony, scales, modes of interpretation, and a number of other topics not often found in other publications – such as the chapters: “Sound”, “Equipment and the basics of its configuration” or “A short guide to guitar health and safety”. This is supported by great examples of exercises described in detail in the system of notation and tablature. Together with the audio examples and the detailed music dictionary (full of terms necessary for professional music communication), this is an absolutely excellent publishing position for the process of self-education. Also the author himself, Piotr Wójcicki, as an instrumentalist, composer and a great colleague is an excellent guarantee of the high quality of the textbook’s content. Wishing you pleasant and fruitful learning I am also glad to have this copy”.
Marek Raduli
“School of Guitar Improvisation” by Piotr Wójcicki is an extremely interesting and valuable position. It contains well elaborated theoretical material concerning the basics of the rules of music, harmony and the art of musical improvisation. The author provides the reader with all this theoretical knowledge in a very reliable way, and by proposing the use of appropriate means of artistic expression he leads us with great ease into this very interesting and beautiful world of sounds whose consonances are governed by certain very basic laws. All this can be learned by carefully reading the individual parts of this work, which not only builds us up theoretically, but also creates a kind of foundation for the culture of music-making – the proper aesthetics in which it is so difficult for many performers to move. It is to be welcomed that young guitarists – for it is mainly to them that this work is addressed – will not remain alone in their search and in many of their difficult artistic struggles.”
Zenon Kowalowski
Peter’s book is very well and clearly written and I think it is a compendium of knowledge about improvisation not only for beginners… I highly recommend it.”
Grzegorz Skawiński
“Piotr Wójcicki’s School is a very interesting and ambitious publication. This fascinating book touches on a lot of extremely important topics and problems for the guitarist, both in the sphere of theory, given here in an accessible way, and in the practical approach to the instrument. I sincerely recommend this position, not only to beginning guitarists.”
Jacek Królik
