The Guitar Circle

The long-awaited first book from Robert Fripp (guitarist and founder member of 
King Crimson), The Guitar Circle collects much of RF’s writing about Guitar Craft, 
as well as his unique approach to guitar playing, collaborating and personal 
development.

Presented as a limited edition first-print hardback with cover, inside pages and 
jacket all printed on high-end Italian Fedrigoni paper, all copies are individually 
wrapped and boxed. 564 pages.

This is the first in a series of books to include The DGM Diaries, Crimson Chronicles 
and membership of King Crimson (1969-2021) and personal commentary on living in 
New York during and after the recording of Exposure at a point in the late 1970s 
when New York was the fulcrum of a wider cultural rebirth.

The aims of the book, as stated by its author…
 1. To support the development of a personal discipline in anyone who has this aim.
 2. To present a record of GC to date.
 3. To support the work of others in their particular fields.--------

“Where there is music there is hope” 

If one had to choose a single aphorism, of the many associated with Robert Fripp, 
this is probably the key line. It informs everything he does as a writer, performer, 
band member and teacher. That last description is also significant. Of all of Robert’s 
diverse work, it is Guitar Craft that he describes as 'my proper work in life’. 

So it comes as no surprise that, when choosing what aspect of his life to present in 
his first book, it is Guitar Craft that was, without hesitation, chosen as the subject.

Begun in 1985, Guitar Craft and the Guitar Circle has welcomed over 3,500 
musicians – including former King Crimson members Trey Gunn and Bill Rieflin.

“Music creates the musician”

The Guitar Circle collects much of Robert’s Writing on the subject across decades of 
diaries, introductions to seminars and  courses, online writing and more, to present a 
comprehensive guide to developing a relationship with the guitar, with music, with 
the individual musician and working with others.

It won’t teach readers how to ‘play in a day’, a week, or even a year. It might, 
however, help an inquisitive musician to develop a personal discipline/approach to 
playing the guitar that will accompany that musician for life.

“Three capacities of the excellent player: to solo; to accompany; to be silent.”

The book also encompasses the Four Pillars Of Ethical Conduct: Honesty, 
Responsibility, Equity, Goodwill 

Straightforwardness + Transparency translate as Honesty. 
Accountability + Owning-up equate to Responsibility. 
Fairness + Distributive justice we understand as Equity. 
Common decency we recognize as Goodwill. 

Principles which Robert Fripp insists are met in all his work including within the 
music industry, an industry most often noted for ignoring all Four Pillars and, just as 
frequently, music itself.

The Guitar Circle is unlike other books by contemporary artists on guitar playing and 
music.

“In strange and uncertain times, a reasonable person might despair.
 But Hope is unreasonable, and Love is greater even than this.” - Robert Fripp