David Leisner has a multi-faceted career as an electrifying performing artist, a distinguished composer, and a master teacher. "Among the finest guitarists of all time" (American Record Guide), Leisner has recorded for the Azica, Naxos, Telarc and Koch labels, and has a concert DVD published by Mel Bay. David Leisner has premiered works by many important composers and has been a pioneer in the rediscovery of 19th-century guitar composers, Mertz and Matiegka. His own compositions are performed, recorded and published worldwide. He is currently the Chair of the Guitar Department at the Manhattan School of Music. Visit www.davidleisner.com for more information.

"Every guitar student should read this book. Leisner has distilled all his experience and insights into a very readable and practical work." -- Eduardo Fernandez

"David Leisner developed body/joint awareness, breathing and meditation exercises, muscle stretching, etc., along with incorporating larger muscle groups into his guitar mechanics and technique, a concept itself antithetical to what was going on in the 1990s when I was in training. But after working with David for one summer, his innovative technique has had a long lasting impact on my playing over the years." -- Jason Vieaux, Grammy-winning performer