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 will 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…
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…
Question: How do I not mute adjacent strings with the left hand when playing chords and arpeggios on classical guitar? More specifically, when practicing Giuliani Arpeggios, the 4th string D gets partially muted by my left hand 2nd finger that…
Question: How do I play through a simple mistake in music? For example, I have a habit of when I play a wrong note, I go back and correct it. It may not be a difficult passage, just a simple…