![0BEFAF12-477A-45A8-BC4E-2112AE6580DE[171].png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8387b1_49dec0581c3f4cf5a28bc38e811d05b0~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_160,h_159,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/0BEFAF12-477A-45A8-BC4E-2112AE6580DE%5B171%5D.png)
Introduction
I love teaching many styles of music, and because I teach such a variety of students I'm accustomed to teaching everything from Iron Maiden to Taylor Swift. The reality is, classical guitar is a hidden gem. Often I meet guitarists who have played rock their whole life, and I get to watch them fall in love with this mysterious, addicting, and evocative instrument. This is a powerful moment for me, because while I do love teaching Skynyrd, and I enjoy watching a student improve over time... I absolutely adore teaching classical guitar.
What is classical guitar... exactly?
The term is interesting, as it can mean three seperate things:
The instrument itself, a nylon string guitar with a model that originates from Spain.
The style of playing, where the instrument is sat on the guitarist's left leg, and accompanied by use of a foot stool to hold the guitar at an angle, or the modern "guitar supports" instead of a foot stool. The often also includes the use of nails in the plucking hand.
The repertoire. Example of classical guitar repertoire include many pieces by composers such as Tarrega, Giuliani, and Barrios. However, much of the classical guitar repertoire consists of transcriptions - that is, music written for another instrument that has been arranged to be played on the classical guitar. The most famous example I can think of is "Leyenda" by Isaac Albeniz, originally written for piano.
For some established guitarists, getting introduced to classical guitar can be a pretty overwhelming experience. You are familiar with so much about guitar already, yet something about the classical guitar is alluring, and you may wonder how certain sounds and timbres are coming from the instrument. I remember watching an old professor of mine, Derek Day, play Bach on the guitar to this day, and what happened to me as I was listening to him. The guitar was singing, or rather, he was singing through the instrument. While there were complex things happening in the harmony, the melody he played was so upfront and glorious, where it burned a memory in me to this day. I had to know how he was doing that!
So much about classical guitar is about understanding the intent of the music - taking what the composer has laid out for you. As Charles Vaughn, another amazing professor of mine would say, it is our job as musicians to bring the music to life. Therefore, as much as we talk about technique, and how to play the instrument - it is justified that we talk about music, music history, and theory just as much.
My intentions for classical guitar students
I strive to re-create an academic atmosphere for my private students that one might receive from a university, as much as possible. This means giving recitals, playing events, and participating in a guitar ensemble. This also means having repertoire, 3-4 pieces max that we focus on for a few months. That way, we are not just getting a superficial scanning of the music, no. We are investing our time and our energy on music that we will play forever. There are pieces I've played for a decade that I'm still uncovering things about. My main goals for students of classical guitar
Equip them with the fundamentals of proper technique, for both hands. I'd prefer to help them achieve a relaxed technique, but realistically my goal is to just simply have them know how both hands should be functioning.
Help them develop a humble repertoire of pieces that they can play form memory. Its also vital that we practice sight-reading, however I've found the most reliable and effective way to really know a piece is to have it in their bones, so to speak. I talk a lot about the importance of facilitating muscle-memory. A piece that is memorized is fertile soil for music to happen.
Ultimately, I want my students to be to prepare music on their own. I'm so happy some of my classical guitar students are able to do this now. This means selecting a piece, figuring out what fingerings to use, marking their score, and developing their own interpretation of the music. This is the exciting part, where we realize all the work we've done. This is where a student can be creative and beautifully original!
What do lessons look like, and what do I need?
Students need a few things to study classical guitar. They are:
A classical guitar. These look like the modern acoustic guitar, except the have nylon strings, a distinct headstock where the strings are wrapped around pegs, and typically a wider, flatter guitar neck. Affordable brands for entry level students are Cordoba, Yamaha, and you can find them at Guitar Center or Music & Arts. I have a few classicals I keep handy for students to play during lessons if they don't have one.
A foot stool, or guitar support. The way to play classical guitar involves using a foot stool to elevate the left leg, and rest the guitar on the it. You can also purchase a guitar support which acheives the same postion, without elevating your leg. Stringsbymail.com sells all this stuff, I've been a loyal customer for a decade. They are great! Here is typical posture:
A nail file, and 2000 grit sand paper should the student be interested in using their right hand nails to pluck the strings. This is common practice although it makes opening a can of soda frustrating.
A folder, or 3-ring binder to keep their music, handouts, and all lesson materials in one place. This makes both our lives much easier. You can be organized, I promise!
Final Thoughts
Music is supposed to be fun. Learning new things is challenging, and just when you've achieved something new and we've celebrated together - I will soon be greeting you with a new challenge, and we will face it together. This is a discipline, and its a marathon, not a race. I will encourage you to settle in and not rush your progress. I will encourage you to celebrate your victories, especially your small ones.
But again - music is supposed to be fun. Its ironic, we do all this work to improve, to strive towards excellence, but we must be willing to not take it too seriously in the end. Music is love, and the best music comes from a relaxed state, that "I don't care and I don't mind" place. I believe a student can achieve it because I've seen it. Its a discipline because we hurt for it, because we work for it. Because we love it.
Comments