Ascending Slurs
Classical Guitar Technique
Ascending Slurs or Hammer-ons have always given me trouble. At some point I figured out simple slurs (between two fingers), but am still working on compound slurs (two ascending slurs in a row). Here are some tips that may help your slurs. It’s Not About Distance A hammer on is not about distance from the […]
Read MoreMonday Motivation: Chamber Music Edition
Monday Motivation
“The important thing is not to stop questioning.” -Albert Einstein Guitarist Denis Azabagic and flautist Eugenia Moliner make up the Cavatina Duo. The duo has recorded several CDs, and plays some great music. Check out their youtube page for more music. Denis Azabagic also has some instructional videos on there.
Read More7 Things About Me
Updates & Activities
Emon at Guitarkadia tagged me. The Rules: Link your original tagger(s), and list these rules on your blog. Share seven facts about yourself in the post – some random, some weird. Tag seven people at the end of your post by leaving their names and the links to their blogs. Let them know they’ve been […]
Read MoreForm in Music- Rondo
Music Theory
Form in music is the structure that holds up a piece. The big idea is that stuff repeats. Some forms have more repeated material that others. Rondo form is one of those. Rondo Form Rondo form comes in several different flavors. Five-part rondo, as the name suggests, has five major sections outlined as ABACA. In […]
Read MoreThe Fourth Finger Approach
Classical Guitar Technique
Yesterday in Larry’s interview yesterday he mentioned the fourth finger approach. Sor and other guitarists from the 19th century used this approach to fingering, as did earlier composers–perhaps as far back as Milan. Most guitar methods begin with single melody line material. The logical choice seems to be using 1 finger per fret. So as […]
Read MoreAn Interview with Larry McDonald- Part 2
Interviews with Classical Guitarists
Part 1 – Larry McDonald ——– You’ve released a guitar method as well. Can you tell us a bit about it? What makes your guitar method different? The Conservatory Tutor is the first modern method published that teaches the Sor’s 4th finger approach1 (I guess there were earlier authors but Sor gets my nod). This […]
Read MoreAn Interview with Larry McDonald- Part 1
Interviews with Classical Guitarists
Larry McDonald is a guitarist and composer based in Wisconsin where he runs a successful lesson studio and music store. In addition to his business and musical activities Dr. McDonald is the author of The Conservatory Tutor, a unique, innovative method book. Most importantly, he’s just a really interesting guy with a lot of great […]
Read MoreMonday Motivation
Monday Motivation
“Even the great get greater by doing more of it.” —Colleen Wainwright** Italian guitarist Lorenzo Micheli was the winner of the ’99 GFA competition. In addition to his solo engagements, Micheli is half of the the guitar duo Soloduo. If anyone is in the Nashville, TN area Soloduo will be giving a free concert at […]
Read MoreNon-Guitar: Stravinsky meets Sampling
Classical Guitar Tips
The producer Tettix recently released an album that took the entire original score of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring and sampled it to create a unique new sound. Frankly, I think it’s creative and awesome. I love Stravinsky and I really enjoy techno music. Check out the article and listen to a bit here. If you […]
Read MoreGuitar Practice Schedules
Classical Guitar Practice Tips
There are several strategies in devising a practice schedule for yourself or for students. It’s generally agreed upon that guitarists should spend some time working on technique and repertoire–real music. too much time on technique leaves nothing much left for repertoire. And too much time focused specifically on rep may not leave enough time for […]
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