This book is for all levels and styles of guitarists. "Finger Gymnastics" is a term used for warm-ups, stretching, and any type of practice exercise that develops technique and stamina while preventing technique related injuries. The exercises in this book are time-tested and will keep your technique at its optimum while helping to ensure injury-free performance. The enclosed CD presents three versions of the exercises in chapters I and II, each version more advanced than the preceding one. In chapter III, bass and rhythm accompaniments are included for many of the examples. Matching the pitch and articulation with a rhythm background will not only assist in warming up, stretching, and building stamina, but will make your practice a more pleasurable experience.

About the Author
Charles Chapman is a professor in the Guitar Department at Berklee College of Music where he has taught since 1972. He is a versatile jazz guitarist with extensive performing and recording experience. Charles holds a Bachelor's degree from Berklee College and a Master's of Education from Cambridge College. He performed four tunes on the Mel Bay's compilation CD "Anthology of Jazz Guitar Solos" and all nine solos on the CD that accompanies the text "Guitar Solos" by George Van Eps (MB94822BCD) and has just released a solo CD titled "Come Sunset".

Charles has published eight texts with Mel Bay Publications and now performs on a regular basis at guitar shows and jazz festivals internationally. As a music journalist he has interviewed many of the most prominent guitarists in the field and is a frequent contributor to Guitar Player, Acoustic Guitar, Fender Frontline, 20th Century Guitar, Mel Bay's Guitar Sessions®, All AboutJazz, Dowbeat and Just Jazz Guitar magazines with over 400 published articles and reviews. Charles has appeared in concert with such luminaries as: Martin Taylor, Kenny Burrell, Joe Negri Jimmy Bruno, Frank Vignola, John Pisano, Ted Greene, Carol Kaye, Jerry Jemmott and Dwane Dolphin. He is an Artist Endorser for Fender/Guild Corporation and Benedetto Guitars.

Contents:
Introduction
Chapter I: WARM-UPS
Non-Instrument Warm-Ups
Wrist Rotations
Hand Stretches
Finger Stretches
Warm-Ups with Instrument
Across the Fingerboard
1-6 Position Switching
6-1 Position Switching
Chapter II: STRETCHES
4-1 Finger Stretch
3-1 Finger Stretch
2-1 Finger Stretch
4-2 Finger Stretch
4-3 Finger Stretch
Chapter III ALTERNATE EXERCISES
In Position Modal Scales
Aeolian Stretch
lonian Stretch
Mixo-Lydian Stretch
The Crab
Pick and Fingers
The Spider Web Stretch