Question: How do I know what tempo a composer intends for their piece to be played? Answer Summary: Tempos are often chosen based on the context of its presentation and through an awareness and analysis of various musical elements. The title,…
Luke Anderson & Lenny Ranallo perform Rêverie by Claude Debussy (1862-1918), arranged for two guitars by Peter Batchelar (originally for piano). This comes via Matthew McAllister’s Gallery of Guitar on Youtube (go subscribe). Beautiful lingering phrases and excellent ensemble cohesion…
New classical guitar albums, editions, gear, compositions, and more for 2026. Submit your content but beware that only a few submissions a year will make the list. I get tons of submissions but due to time constraints it’s pretty much…
Juyeong Bae performs Songe Capricorne by Roland Dyens (1955–2016). This comes via Partita Studio in Seoul, South Korea on their YouTube channel (go subscribe). This a great performance to study contrasts in musical expression. Each phrase has very specific articulation, dynamics, accents, and colour choices.…
Canadian guitarist Jérôme Ducharme performs Prelude, Fugue & Allegro, BWV 998 by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) on a René Wilhelmy classical guitar. This comes via Canadian luthier René Wilhelmy’s YouTube channel (go subscribe). I really enjoyed the very rhythmic and well paced…
Hungarian classical guitarist Zsombor Sidoo performs Violin Sonata No.2, BWV 1003 by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) played on a Bernhard Kresse Stauffer Model 2011. Movements include Grave, Fuga, Andante, and Allegro. This comes via Sidoo’s YouTube channel (go subscribe). Amazing performance with excellent pacing throughout…
Question: What is the best position for the music stand when playing classical guitar? Answer summary: The best music stand position depends on whether you are performing or practicing and involves many variables such as ergonomics and visual sight lines.…
Bradford Werner performs Studio No.15 – Canto di primavera (Omaggio a Igor Stravinskij) from Studi di virtuosità e di trascendenza by Angelo Gilardino (1941-2022) on classical guitar. This comes via my YouTube channel. Published by Editions Bèrben. The sheet music edition can be found via Bèrben (Edizioni Curci).…
Carreiro-Williams Guitar Duo with Jose Carlos Carreiro and Torrin Williams perform Preludio from Violin Partita No.3 in E major, BWV 1006 by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), arranged by Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943), and then arranged again by Torrin Williams. This comes via their YouTube channel…
Liying Zhu performs the second movement, Passacaglia from Tres Piezas Españolas by Spanish composer Joaquín Rodrigo (1901-1999). This video comes via GuitarCoop and their YouTube Channel (go subscribe). Excellent performance by Liying Zhu with great phrasing, colour and texture control. In particular, her ability to bring out the theme even…
Question: Why can’t I play with a metronome? I don’t know why but find it to be distracting. I have tried the clicking ones and the blinking lights. Tapping my foot also distracts me. Answer Summary: Playing with the metronome is…
Finnish lutenist Tuomas Kourula along with sopranos Anneliina Rif and Maikki Säikkä performs Ohimè, dov’è il mio ben? (SV 140) by Claudio Monteverdi (1567–1643) via the Turku Early Music Society and their YouTube channel. Beautiful performance by Kourula and love vocal duet with theorbo, both visually…