Question: How many pieces should I play within a grade level in music before moving to the next? Here’s the full question from the student (paraphrased): “Do you think being able to play ten pieces well at grade 5 is…
Romanza & Barcarola by Carlo Munier (1859-1911) from 12 Duettini Concertanti, Op.262. For classical guitar duo. PDF sheet music for classical guitar duet. Intermediate level approximately around the grade 4 range depending on tempo. My PDF Sheet Music Edition via…
Canadian guitarist Simon Farintosh performs Capriccio No. 11, “Y se le quema la casa” from 24 Caprichos de Goya op.195 by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco (1895–1968). This comes via Simon’s YouTube channel (go subscribe). Impressive performance by Farintosh with a directness of expression and clean technical delivery. Love the…
Luthier Website: erez-perelman.comErez Perelman Guitars are based in Victoria, BC, Canada. I’m very pleased to share with you this amazing classical guitar by Erez Perelman. This is a professional grade instrument built by a single luthier. I’ve tried a few of…
Canadian classical guitarists Marc-Etienne Leclerc and William McAllister perform their arrangement of Passacaglia from Suite No.7 for harpsichord by Georg Friedrich Handel (1685-1759). This comes via his YouTube channel (go subscribe). This is actually from a few years back but I was researching duo arrangements…
Canadian guitarist Drew Henderson and violinist Dr. Clara Haneul Yoon perform Cafe 1930 and Nightclub 1960 from L’Histoire du Tango by Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla (1921–1992). This comes via Henderson’s YouTube channel (go subscribe). I’d add to this post as they record more of these. As he mentions,…
Theory Lesson No.5a: Grand Staff, Middle C, and Octave Indications. Middle C is important mainly because it serves as a common reference point in music, notation, and instrument orientation and visually connects the treble and bass clefs. The grand staff…
Petra Poláčková performs Sonata Romántica by Manuel Ponce (1882–1948) on a vintage 1926 Domingo Esteso guitar with video/audio by Drew Henderson. This comes via Guitars International and their YouTube channel (go subscribe). It’s been a long time since I’ve heard anyone play the Sonata Romántica…
Question: Is it acceptable to hit an adjacent string during slurs? For example, when playing a pull-off on the 2nd string is it okay to make contact with the 1st string with the left hand slur finger? Answer Summary: The answer…
Left Hand String Clearance Exercise – This exercise helps students play with curved fingers on their fingertips which helps with all left hand techniques. It also creates a situation where the student becomes aware of bad technique habits by listening…
Lutenist Domenico Cerasani performs Fantasia 33, and the intabulation Quand’io penso al martire (123 da J. Arcadelt) by Francesco Canova da Milano “Il Divino” (1497-1543). This comes via Edoardo Lambertenghi’s YouTube channel (go subscribe). I can rarely resist posting performances of da Milano,…
Italian classical guitarist Adelaide Gemo performs Vals No.3, Op.8 by Agustin Barrios Mangore (1885-1944). This comes via Pyrophorus Records and their YouTube channel (go subscribe). Wonderful performance by Gemo with such crisp and clear lines but always musical, rhythmic, and flowing. You can also find her YouTube…