Big Concepts, Big Goals
Classical Guitar Tips
A goal like, “improve technical skill,” is a big goal. It isn’t specific, it doesn’t have the characteristics of a good goal (specificity, time limit, achievable but challenging, etc.), but it is a goal all the same. But in this form, this big goal is a big concept — an overall motive for what we […]
Read MoreWhat Does Baroque Dance Look Like?
Classical Guitar Tips
Ever wonder what Baroque dance looks like? I did, so I youtubed it! Gives some context to those stylized dances we all playing. I wish I could learn to do this stuff. Of course, we play dance movements by Bach or someone else, they’re stylized (not meant to be danced to), but learning the steps […]
Read MoreClap
Classical Guitar Practice Tips
Ever have trouble with a rhythm? Clap it. Clapping takes the tiny, complicated movements involved in playing the guitar out of the equation. The big movements of clapping are easily accomplished, and it’s a great way to get the rhythm in your ear really quickly. In fact, I’d say that we would all benefit from […]
Read MoreWhen Does Interpretation Start?
Musical Interpretation and Musicianship
When does one begin to develop an interpretation of a piece? The common wisdom is that you learn to play it first, then add in the “musical stuff” later. That’s a flawed conception. It treats a piece as two separate entities: technique and physical movements vs. musical elements and interpretation. The way we execute a […]
Read MoreMonday Motivation: Pears Edition
Monday Motivation
“For a man to achieve all that is demanded of him, he must regard himself as greater than he is” -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Today we feature a recording of Julian Bream with Peter Pears. For those who don’t know, Peter Pears is a tenor with whom Benjamin Britten worked. Britten wrote opera parts with […]
Read MoreBeats vs. Counts
Musical Interpretation and Musicianship
In some time signatures, they’re not the same thing. Take moderate or fast 6/8 for instance. There’s six counts — six eighth notes in each measure — but only two real beats on count one and count four. This is the nature of 6/8, that lilting feel of three in each beat, but only two […]
Read MoreFinding Time to Practice
Classical Guitar Practice Tips
One of the tricks I use to keep myself motivated to practice is setting aside a time that’s practice time every day. I try to wake up early and get some practice in. Similar to Cameron Mizell’s one hour before noon rule. In short, I don’t have to find time to practice, it’s already there. […]
Read MoreMood
Musical Interpretation and Musicianship
Every piece has a shape. A feel. And while some music exists only for its own sake, we can identify with parts of it. The music’s struggles become our own, and as we delve further into a piece it transforms us and we develop an interpretation — we take ownership. The piece takes shape. The […]
Read MoreMonday Motivation: Dervoed Edition
Monday Motivation
“Liberty is the possibility of doubting, the possibility of making a mistake, the possibility of searching and experimenting, the possibility of saying No to any authority–literary, artistic, philosophic, religious, social and even political.” -Ignazio Silone Today we feature Artyom Dervoed performing Astor Piazzolla’s concerto for guitar and bandoneon. This Milonga movement is gorgeous. Dervoed also […]
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