Grade 1 Lesson: Lección 75 by Sagreras

This lesson comes from my new book Classical Guitar Repertoire Lessons Grade 1 – Eight pieces at the grade one level with dedicated lessons preparing you for each piece. Check it out at Werner Guitar Editions!

Lección 75 by Julio Sagreras (1879–1942), from Primeras lecciones de guitarra. Sagreras was an Argentine guitarist and composer and this study is great for working on combined melody and chord shapes. There is nothing very awkward or new about this piece except for more block chords, quicker moving arpeggios, and more involved right hand fingering. Practice the melody on its own and some of the chord shapes to prepare the piece. Here’s the YouTube Lesson Link if you want to watch it there.

Practicing Checklist

Legato Melody – Practice the melody on its own with legato phrasing (a smooth and connected sound).

Confident Pulse – Feel and present the quarter note beat with emphasis on the first beat of each measure. Tapping your foot to the quarter note beat is a great way to practice ‘feeling the beat’.

Think Harmonically – Aim to sustain the notes for thier full value and within the quarter note beat. This will bring out the chords (harmony). It’s as if you are two people: one person playing the chords and one person playing the melody. The main goal at this point is to aim for sustain and not play a note-to-note performance that sounds detatched. The video lesson and/or your teacher can clarify this concept.

Right Hand Fingering – Carefully follow the right hand fingering which facilitates finger alternation.

The Key is A Minor – Practice the A minor scales and chord progressions.

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Bradford Werner
Bradford Werner

Bradford Werner is a classical guitarist and publisher from Victoria, BC, Canada. He originally created this site for his students at the Victoria Conservatory of Music but now shares content with guitarists worldwide. Curating guitar content helps students absorb the culture, ideas, and technique of the classical guitar. Bradford also has a YouTube channel with over 100,000 subscribers and 14 million views. He taught classical guitar at the Victoria Conservatory for 16 years and has freelanced in Greater Victoria for 25 years. See more at his personal website.

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  1. Hi,

    I´ve recently picked up my guitar playing after many many years, and have finished the two method books. I´m now in the grade one lessons. Great material by the way!
    I´ve come to realize that when I was younger I did many shortcuts, as long as a piece sounded good I didn´t really care if I my fingering was right or not. Now I try to be more accurate and follow the fingering instructions, but it´s hard to make and old dog to sit, right? So, how important is the right hand fingering for the future development? Is it something I really should get right or is it more of a personal thing of which “pima” fingers to use?

    • There are conceptual ideas to follow carefully but exact fingering is rarely needed 90% of the time. But major concepts like alternation of the fingers during running lines is very important. Most right hand fingering should be informed by technique practice. Over time you will relate your technique exercises to your repertoire and your hands will know what works best.

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