An Interview with The Tantalus Quartet
Interviews with Classical Guitarists
The Tantalus Quartet is an excellent ensemble with excellent repertoire. They specialize in music by living composers, and actively pursue new works for guitar quartet. When I saw them in concert at the University of Louisville Guitar Festival, they were in top form, playing works by Dyens and Domeniconi and works written for them. Part […]
Read MoreMonday Motivation: Rose Edition
Monday Motivation
“Waste no more time talking about great souls and how they should be. Become one yourself!” -Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Today we feature Matt Palmer performing Guiliani’s La Rose, Op. 46, No. 9. This is from Matt’s new, outstanding CD, Un tiempo fue Itálica famosa. Learn more about Matt in the CG Blog interview with him. […]
Read MoreCG Podcast: An Interview with Kevin Gallagher
Classical Guitar Tips
[Kevin’s Website][Kevin’s Blog][youtube][myspace][facebook][twitter][Electric Kompany] Originally published in video
Read MoreSummer NAMM
Updates & Activities
Just a heads up. I’ll be at summer NAMM this weekend. If you’re around, come say, “hi.”
Read MoreBasic Care for Your Guitar
Classical Guitars (Buying, Care, Maintenence)
This is a guest post by Dan Koentopp, a Chicago-based luthier. If you want to learn more about Dan, check out the CG Blog interview with him. There are many things you can do to keep your guitar happy, including lubricating, cleaning, oiling, and controlling your guitar’s environment. Lubricating your string slots in the nut […]
Read MoreMonday Motivation: Tárrega Edition
Monday Motivation
“The best chance you have, if you want to rise, is to give yourself up to loneliness, fear nothing, and work hard.” -Mark Helprin Kevin Gallagher posted this video in late 2009, and I was recently re-watching it. Kevin always makes a gorgeous sound. If you like what you hear, check out the CG Blog […]
Read MoreTeaching: Incorporating Dynamics (Interpretation 101)
Guitar Teaching, Musical Interpretation and Musicianship
Most instructional materials lack instruction on some of the basic expression markings in music. One example is dynamic indications. As with ending a piece, dynamics are easily incorporated into any piece. Before any student can start following dynamic indications, they have to know what the markings mean. I suggest starting with two different dynamic levels: […]
Read MoreFree Stuff: Parallel Octaves
Classical Guitar Tips
I just posted a free book of Parallel Octave Exercises on the Free Stuff page. I’ve only just started appreciating parallel octaves as an exercise in the past year. They’re an outstanding left hand workout. What’s In The Book A discussion on the left and right hands with some things to think about while practicing […]
Read MoreMonday Motivation: Mir Ali Edition
Monday Motivation
“Play what you don’t know.” -Miles Davis Today we feature guitarist Mir Ali. I saw Mir a year ago at Austin Peay State University, he’s a great player with a hell of a stage presence. Mir is also on the faculty for the APSU Summer Guitar Workshop, and will be judging competitions, teaching, and doing […]
Read MoreThree Visualization Techniques
Guitar Practice Techniques
Visualization, otherwise known as mental practice, is a powerful tool. Used correctly it can enhance knowledge of your repertoire and add a valuable layer of security to your performance. I used three types of visualization. The first two are reserved for closer to performance time, the third is something I try to do every day […]
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