Preludio in C Minor by Agustín Barrios (1885- 1944)
Time 1:46
Agustin Barrios Mangore a paraguyan guitarist who played on metal strings. Preludio is a sad song reminiscient of Bach. The song is structured like Bach’s “Prelude in C” with each bar being repeated (See earlier article). Between the two songs, I find this song more difficult. [...]
Grade 4 Late Intermediate
Bourree (BWV996) by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 – 1750)
Bouree is a lute suite in Em. Bach wrote many songs for various instruments like violin, cello, piano, lute etc… The lute is a medieval instrument with tuning similar to the guitar therefore Bouree translate well on the guitar. Piano translation to guitar is [...]
Grade 4- Late Intermediate
Minuet in G Minor (Anh115) by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 – 1750)
The Notebook for Anna Magdalena is a collection of work Johann Sebastian Bach given to his second wife Anna Magdalena. This notebook is a compilation of music by both Bach and other composers of the era. There is debate over who [...]
Grade 4 Late Intermediate
Lagrima (prelude) by Francisco Tarrega (1852-1909)
Time 1:21
Exercise: Rubato, Varied Tempo.
One of Tarrega most popular and beautiful piece. “Lagrima” means “teardrop”. A deft piece using the whole neck and 4 fingers on the right hand.
Grade 3 Intermediate
Caprice in D Minor Matteo Carcassi (1792 – 1853)
Carcassi manages to blend technical skills and brilliant romantic music. This pattern is identical to Giuliani’s “Allergo” (see previous post) ( p i m i a i m i ) right hand arpeggios.
Grade 2 Early Intermediate
Allegro Etude by Mauro Giuseppe Giuliani (1781 – 1829)
Exercise: ( p i m i a i m i )
“Allegro Etude” is one of Giuliani’s fine example of his Right Hand Arpeggio Studies. Mauro Giuliani was a gifted guitarist and composer of an Italian heritage. The song title “Allegro Etude” means “Rapid [...]
Prelude in D (6 of 15) by Francisco Tarrega (1852-1909)
Exercise: Triplets, (pima) pluck, harmonic
Time 0:46
A lesser known Francisco Tarrega piece but still great. This song covers the entire neck from 14th fret of high e to open low D. This song introduces drop D tuning, natural harmonics and 4 finger (pima) chord pluck on the [...]
Romance by Rene Bartoli (born 1941)
Exercise ( a i m i a i m i ) pattern
Rene Bartoli is a contemporary french guitarist. His song offers an interesting right hand pattern (aimiami). This song is melancholic and spanish sounding, although rene is italian. The interchange of bass and treble is note worthy. I hope you [...]
Study in E Minor by Francisco Tarrega (1852-1909)
Grade 3- Intermediate
Exercise (ami)
Time 0:52
This song right hand pattern (ami) is identical to “Romance de Espana’s” which I previously covered. Tarrega is one of my favorite. He is consider the father of Mordern Guitar. What i like about him is the emotions his songs carry. Estudio or Study [...]
Greensleeves- Traditional English Song
Grade 1- Easy
Time (0:31)
This is a short and sweet song. “Greensleeves” is a traditional English folk song and tune, a ground of the form called a romanesca. Romanesca is a song form popular in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. It was most popular with Italian composers of the early Baroque [...]
Grade 3- Intermediate
Romance de Espana- Spanish Traditional Song
Exercise (ami)
Time 0:55
This song both lyrical and sentimental, made popular from the french movie “Jeux Interdits”. Romance de Espana melody is a classic classical piece and not too difficult to play. There are 2 parts to the song. Take each part at your own pace and get [...]
Grade 2- Early Intermediate
Etude – Fernando Sor
Exercise (pim)
Time 0:55
This song is a study exercise for students. This piece consists of arpeggios in the pattern of pim. You can get the guitar flowing by playing this pattern on a loop. The thumb plays alternate bass strings on a chord, while the fingers fill in the gaps [...]
Prelude No 1 in C – JSBach
Exercise: (ppimaima)
Time 1:44
“Prelude #1 was originally written as an exercise for Bach’s students and is probably one of the most famous preludes from “The Well-Tempered Clavier”. In this exercise, you can explore more on the plucking pattern ppimaima and how to make your guitar flow. Every measure must be [...]
Scarborough Fair – Traditional Folk song
Time (0:23)
“Scarborough fair” is an example of how the classical guitar can sound like 2 instruments. With the suspended bass and running lead, the guitar produces 2 voices (Bass and treble).
Grade 1- Easy
Ode to Joy- Ludwig van Beethoven
Here’s why a pick is useless in classical guitar. It will be impossible for the right hand to play 2 or more strings with a pick when the notes are at extreme ends say (High E and Low e). You can accomplish this easily if you lose the pick [...]
