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.…
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…
Study No.4, Op.40 [Moonlight Study] by Leonard Schulz (1813-1860) from Exercises and Studies for the Guitar, “The Indispensable”. PDF sheet music for classical guitar with performance and lesson video. Comes with both a notation edition with left hand fingering and a separate tab edition. The…
Theory Lesson No.6a: Pitch, Octave, Register, Octave Designation, and Pitch Class. In this lesson we have a more in depth discussion on pitch, the specific register of pitches and how we name them. This is an important lesson that will…
Question: What Tension Strings Should I Use on Classical Guitar? Answer Summary: Beginners should start with a warm nylon string in medium to medium-hard tension depending on the brand whereas advanced players may want a harder tension nylon or carbon string…
Performance psychologist Dr. Noa Kageyama from the Bulletproof Musician examines a study where adding variation to a motor skill test improved results to as much as double in participants. I completely agree that when practicing, adding variations to the passage…
Question: How can I play cleanly without looking at the left hand (fretting hand) on classical guitar? Answer Summary: A combination of technique practice and muscle memory, string crossing and shift exercises, and some dedicated practice looking away eventually results in the…
Asturias (Leyenda), No.5 from Suite Española, Op.47 by Isaac Albéniz (1860-1909). Performance, Lesson, and PDF Sheet Music for Classical Guitar. Comes with both a notation edition with left hand fingering and a separate tab edition in the same pdf. The level…
Cantilène Espagnole by José Ferrer (1835–1916). From No. 1 from Gerbe de Fleurs Quatre Pièces faciles pour Guitare Op. 41. PDF sheet music for classical guitar with performance and lesson video. Comes with both a notation edition with left hand fingering and…
Well Balanced Technique Sessions and Cross-Technique Benefits. Students often underestimate the importance of cross-technique benefits, that is, how some technique exercises can actually improve your other techniques. Aim to create a well-balanced technique routine to ensure you are benefiting from…
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…
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…