These books help build classical guitar technique "muscles." They represent and indispensable part for any guitarist that wants to grow their skills on the instrument. Read our "Guide To Classical Guitar Methods."
Method books and classical guitar studies form an important part of the daily practice that any student must go through if they wish to play their instrument with the ease and mastery of a virtuoso.
If you are in the beginning stages of learning classical guitar then at least 50% of your time devoted to the guitar should be spent exercising and studying methods.
When picking your methods you should be aware of the stage at which you are right now. Some methods will be for those that are more advanced. In such cases this is usually stated in the book description.
For the most part however, methods do a good job of taking you from the basics to the advanced concepts in a gradual process. Herein lies the secret. You start building your technique in a gradual way as proposed by an expert, someone that has walked that "road" and know the steps you must take in order to get to your "destination."
You should go through at least a few methods, as each will add an extra layer of knowledge and experience to your skills.
Start with simple methods that are fun. Gradually move to more advanced concepts such as those described by Sagreras and Giuliani.
Remember that what you put in is what you'll get out. If you get the method then let it sit on a shelf, it's not going to do you much good. You need disciplined every day study periods. They don't have to be long, but doing 20-30 min. per day from your method should work wonders.
This brings us to another point. From the following example choose the student that you feel would advance more:
1. Student A studies 1 hour per day, 7 days a week.
2. Student B studies 7 hours per day, one day a week.
Per week they both study the same amount of time - 7 hours. Who do you think will do better after 3 months of study?
The answer is student A by far. This is because information and practice is more easily assimilated in small constant chunks, rather than trying to force 7 hours of studying in one day. Studying 7 hours in one day results in burn-out and more than half of the knowledge and experience is wasted.
So be constant in your studying schedule. Commit to 30 min a day, or even 20 for exercises and doing a method. This will grow your skill substantially. Avoid one day mega study sessions to compensate...