First published in 1980, Traditions of the Classical Guitar has been described as the first book to examine in detail the many traditions of one of today's most popular instruments. With its central focus on Andres Segovia's pioneering work in establishing the guitar as an international concert instrument, it goes on to examine in detail its subsequent developments with reference to great artists such as Bream, Williams, Diaz and Yepes.

Traditions of the Classical Guitar continues to be a classic of twentieth-century guitar scholarship, offering a challenging assessment to perceptions of the guitar's progress throughout the ages. It is also a timely reminder of the glorious years of Segovia's concert career between 1909 and 1987; Segovia himself said of the work: "Graham Wade has shown his love for the guitar from the first page to the last; true love and understanding".