Goal Oriented Guitar Practice (revisited)
Classical Guitar Practice Tips
When the Classical Guitar Blog first started, I wrote an article about Goal Oriented Guitar Practice. At the time, I was just beginning to develop my own guitar practice philosophy based on experience and observation. In a sense, I still agree with everything I wrote in that article, but let’s modify it a bit and […]
Read MoreWhen to do Nail Care
Classical Guitar Fingernails
I’ve written before about fingernails. Another fingernail open thread generated some outstanding advice for readers. When nail care is done seems trivial, but it can have a huge effect on playing and your practice day. When NOT to file your nails In the middle of the practice day. Don’t file your nails in the middle […]
Read MoreMonday Motivation: McFadden Edition
Classical Guitar Tips
“In the absence of clearly-defined goals, we become strangely loyal to performing daily trivia until ultimately we become enslaved by it.” -Robert Heinlein Today we feature guitarist Jeffrey McFadden performing Impromptus by Richard Rodney Bennett. I had the opportunity to see Jeffrey McFadden perform with Andrew Zohn last year. Both great players, and worth catching […]
Read MoreDownload the sheet music for this study here. One of the most challenging and beautiful aspects of classical guitar is the ability to play contrapuntal textures. Most of the time we think of counterpoint within the context of a fugue, but counterpoint is fundamental to all types of classical music – even in the simplest […]
Read MoreThe Psychology of Simple Music
Guitar Performance Tips
In the interview with Petar Jankovich, he said, “don’t go on stage displaying your abilities… it’s not about showing off.” Petar went on to say that if you do that, you’re doomed to a, “non-expressive, flat — maybe virtuosic — but pretty flat and boring performance.” I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. I […]
Read MoreMonday Motivation: Cobo Edition
Monday Motivation
“Purely by hard work, one can become an artist” –Robert Fripp Today we feature Ricardo Cobo performing Leo Brouwer’s Concerto Elegiaco. All three movements are on youtube, relatively good sound quality too!
Read MoreMusic School? Why?
Guitar Teaching
note: some strong language in this article. A reader requested I write a post about going to music school. Like many others, he’s struggling with the rough choice of music vs. some “legit” career. Required Reading Before I start, I encourage everyone interested in music school to read the following: Jason Heath wrote free PDF […]
Read MoreThree Newb Right Hand Technique Errors (and how to fix them)
Classical Guitar Technique
Classical guitar technique is a tricky thing. Sometimes it’s presented as a complex series of exercises meant to develop virtuosic technique. But technique is not a set of exercises, it’s how you move while playing guitar. Theses are three common mistakes I see in all my beginning guitar students. The Mistake: many beginners pull their […]
Read MoreCall for Questions: Matthew McAllister
Ask the Readers
Part of my goal with founding this website was to encourage reader interaction with performers. In the changing music industry landscape, artists who interact thrive. As such, I need your help! The next interview is with guitarist Matthew McAllister, a UK based guitarist. So, what should I ask him? PS: Big THANK YOU to everyone […]
Read MoreMonday Motivation: Frank Bungarten Edition
Monday Motivation
“Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.” -H.L. Mencken Frank Bungarten is the winner of the 2005 Echo Award for best instrumentalist. I don’t have much to say about Mr. Bungarten; he is a fantastic, expressive player. Buy Frank Bungarten’s CDs […]
Read More