Learn classical guitar with free classical guitar lessons, tutorials, and practice advice. I’ve also created a small curriculum to help guide beginner students through the early learning process. Many of the lessons are from professional guitarists while some of the more specific lessons are by your host here on the site, Bradford Werner. Bradford teaches classical guitar privately and at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, in Victoria, BC, Canada. He also offers Video Response & Skype Lessons.
Classical Guitar Lessons – Step by Step
- What you need to Start Playing Classical Guitar
- A Classical Guitar (Nylon String)
- A Footstool or Guitar Support
- Step 1: Lessons for Your Guitar and Hand Positions
- Basic Technique Overview Video – Slideshow of Photos, Tips, & Diagrams
- Sitting Position for Classical Guitar – Video, Photos, Tips, Diagrams
- Right Hand Position for Classical Guitar – Video, Photos, Tips, Diagrams
- Left Hand Position for Classical Guitar – Video, Photos, Tips, Diagrams
- Tips and Advice for Beginner Classical Guitarists – Video, connects the above lessons
- 10 Classical Guitar Lessons for Beginners – Video, General Tips
- Step 2: Learn to Play with Method Books with Video Lessons
- Classical Guitar Method Book Vol. 1 by Werner – Free 100 page PDF method with 20+ video lessons for beginners. Focus is on reading music and playing melodies and arpeggios.
- Classical Guitar Method Book Vol. 2 by Werner – Solos, duets, chords songs, 15+ video lessons. The main focus is on reading in different keys but also introducing slurs, half barres, rhythm, and some upper positions.
- Step 3: Practice Repertoire & Technique Books with Video Lessons
- Classical Guitar Repertoire Lessons Grade 1 – Eight pieces at the grade one level with dedicated lessons preparing you for each piece.
- Classical Guitar Technique by Werner – Essential exercises, scales, and arpeggios. Study this as you continue with all the below material.
- Ten Classical Etudes – Ten progressive etudes from the classical era with video lessons. Grade 4-7.
- Theory – It’s needed, what can I say?
- RCM Theory Books (Amazon) – I recommend these RCM books with a teacher to gain a real understanding of music theory. It’s slow, I know, but important and they ensure you’ll learn properly. For more of just an overview or self study you could try the Berklee Theory Book or the Hal Leonard Music Theory for Guitar but it’s hard to retain the info in overview books.
- Tips & Techniques for Reaching Higher Levels
- Fingernail Lesson for Classical Guitar
- Playing Musically on Classical Guitar
- Right Hand Tone Production
- Slurs on the Classical Guitar
- Right Hand Fingering Lesson Parts 1-4
- Right Hand Planting & Preparation
- Left Hand Preparation
Classical Guitar Lessons (Reference as Needed)
- Posture and Sitting Position for Classical Guitar – Video Lessons, Photos, Tips
- Learn Classical Guitar – Kind of an overview post about the site.
- Right Hand Lessons
- Right Hand Position & Technique – 4 Video Lessons, Photos, Tips – Start Here
- Right Hand Tone Production – 2 Video Lessons – Start Here
- Right Hand Fingering Lesson Parts 1-4 – 4 Video Lessons
- Right Hand Planting (Preparation)
- Should Beginners Use Rest or Free Stroke?
- Alternating Right Hand Fingers – 2 Video Lessons
- Q&A Lesson: Right Hand Stability
- Rasgueado Lesson for Classical Guitar – 3 Videos Lesson: Werner, Pepe Romero
- Right Hand Articulation Lesson by Gohar Vardanyan
- Practicing Right Hand Alone by Gohar Vardanyan
- Basic String Crossing Exercise for Classical Guitar
- Is it ok to collapse the right hand fingertip joint when playing guitar?
- Arpeggios and Right Hand Planting
- Preparation (Planting) in the Right Hand – Start Here
- Practicing Giuliani’s 120 Right Hand Studies
- Right Hand Open String Exercises (No.20-35) – No.24 onward
- Open String Exercises No. 36-71
- Open String Exercises No. 72-100 – up to No.92
- Extension and Contraction of the Right Hand
- Beginner Arpeggio Exercises & Lesson
- Arpeggio Patterns on Single Strings
- Arpeggio Lesson by Thomas Viloteau
- Intermediate Arpeggio Exercise for Guitar
- Triadic Arpeggios
- Tremolo Lessons
- Beginner Tremolo Exercise for Guitar
- Intermediate to Advanced Tremolo Lesson and Exercise
- Tremolo Lesson by Jorge Caballero
- How m, a scales can improve your tremolo and arpeggios
- Fingernail Lessons
- Fingernails for Classical Guitar: How I Shape My Nails – Start Here
- Thomas Viloteau on Nails and Shaping
- Filing nails with Matthew McAllister
- The Ping-Pong Ball Fingernail Repair Guide by Samuel Laroche-Pagé
- Fingernails and nutrition
- Left Hand Lessons
- Left Hand Position & Technique – Photos, Tips, Diagrams – Start Here
- Lesson: Left hand Position Playing and Practice
- Slurs on the Classical Guitar – Comprehensive, 5 Video Lessons
- Barre Lessons and Exercises (Bar, Capo) – Comprehensive, 4 Video Lessons
- Left Hand Technique Advice with Matthew McAllister
- Left Hand Strength & Fatigue
- Left Hand Independence, Alignment, and Stretch – My Book
- Lesson: Left Hand Finger Independence (Pumping Nylon)
- Lesson: Using the 4th finger in first position
- Left Hand Thumb Position while playing
- Beginner Left Hand Exercises for Classical Guitar
- Intermediate Left Hand Exercise for Classical Guitar
- Lesson: Shifts and String Noise on Guitar
- How to Practice Scales on Guitar
- Lesson: Chromatic Scale Triplet Pattern
- Scott Morris Lesson: Left Hand Position & Guide Fingers
- Left Hand Pressure Exercise by Gohar Vardanyan
- A Lesson on Vibrato by Gohar Vardanyan
- A Lesson on Left Hand & 4th (Pinky) Finger Trouble
- Ornamentation on Guitar
- Lesson: Ornamentation in Bach by Jason Vieaux
- Baroque Ornamentation Lesson by Scott Morris
- Grace Note Lesson for Classical Guitar
- Lesson: Muting Strings During Cross-String Trills
- Q&A Lesson: Adding ornaments during early stages of practice
- Exercises with Lessons from my Technique Book
- Technique Routines (Discussions on Time Management)
- Beginner Technique Routine
- Late-Beginner Technique Routine
- Early-Intermediate Technique Routine
- Intermediate Technique Routine
- Late-Intermediate Technique Routine
- Early-Advanced Technique Routine
- Part 1 – Right Hand Exercises
- Right Hand Open String Exercises with i, m, a (No. 1-19)
- Right Hand Open String Exercises with p,i,m,a (No.20-35)
- Preparation (Planting) in the Right Hand
- Open String Exercises No. 36-71
- Open String Exercises No. 72-100
- Giuliani’s 120 Right Hand Studies
- Part 2 – Left Hand Alignment, Shifts, and Scales
- Alignment Exercises for the Left Hand
- Chromatic Scale Exercises
- Variations and Ideas for Practicing Scales
- Open Position Scales Through the Circle of Fifths
- One Octave Moveable Major Scales
- Shift and String Squeak Exercises
- Favourite Two and Three Octave Moveable Scales
- Major Scales with Open String Shifts
- Triadic Arpeggios
- Part 3 – Slurs, Finger Independence, and Stretch
- Slur Exercises (Hammer-ons, Pull-offs)
- Selected Slur Scales
- Left Hand Independence, Alignment, and Stretch
- Selected Major Scales in 3rds, 6ths, Octaves, and 10ths
- Part 4 – Additional Techniques
- Barre Exercises
- Tremolo Exercises
- Basic Rasgueado
- Common Natural and Artificial Harmonics
- Speed and Relaxation
- Discussion / Practicing / Lessons
- Playing Musically on Classical Guitar – Comprehensive, 3 Video lessons
- Avoiding Tension when playing – Comprehensive, 5 Video lessons
- Sight Reading Tips for Classical Guitar
- Practicing Slowly with a Metronome and Learning New Pieces
- Why Guitarists use Lute Tuning & Capos for Renaissance Music
- McAllister Vlog Lessons: Work through adversity
- Ted-Ed – How to practice effectively
- Replacing Tempo with Other Musical Elements
- Guitarists Should Practice Triadic Arpeggios more often!
- Practicing Difficult Passages by Gohar Vardanyan
- Scott Morris Lesson on How to Prepare a Piece
- General / Other Lessons
- Lesson: Vibrato on Guitar with Matthew McAllister
- Lesson: String Squeak by Matthew McAllister
- Lesson: Staccato Articulation for Beginner Classical Guitar
- Lesson: Well-rounded technique and m, a scales
- Student Warm-up & Lesson for Classical Guitar No. 1, Free PDF
- Tatyana Ryzhkova Warm-up Lesson
- Tension & Relaxation Lesson for Classical Guitarists
- Jorge Caballero: A Lesson on Speed for Classical Guitar
- Tariq Harb – Another Way of Playing Fast Scales
- Scott Morris Lesson on String Dampening
- Sharon Isbin Interview & Lesson (35 min lesson)
- Back Problems & Lesson on Classical Guitar
- Learn Classical Guitar for Beginners
- Masterclasses
- Amazing Masterclass with Pavel Steidl
- David Tanenbaum Masterclass
- Masterclass with John Williams
- Chen Zi Masterclass with Li Jie Performing
- Learn About Luthiery and Guitars
- What are Soundports (Sound Portals)
- Elevated / Raised Fingerboards
- Armrests for Classical Guitar
- Short Scale Classical Guitars
- Bracing Styles for Classical Guitars
- Cedar vs Spruce Tops: tonewoods
Lessons for my eBooks
Video lessons for my ebooks are listed below the product description and buying info and are free to watch.
- Classical Guitar Technique: Essential Exercises, Scales, & Arpeggios
- 20 Favorite Exercises
- Volume 1 – Method Book
- Volume 2 – Method Book
- Classical Guitar Repertoire Lessons Grade 1
- Ten Classical Etudes
- Easy Classical Guitar Pieces Vol. 1
- Easy Celtic Guitar Vol. 1
Graded Repertoire Video Lessons
The grades here are loosely based on the RCM Toronto. The grades are preparatory to grade 10 and then the ARCT. Keep in mind that there is no such thing as grades in music, pros play from a variety of levels. Many pieces could go in different grades depending on the quality and speed you want to play it at. However, the intention is to help students find repertoire appropriate to their level. ‘Book’ refers to hardcopy links.
- Absolute Beginner
- Volume 1 – Method Book Level Pieces & Lessons (Free PDF)
- Preparatory Grade
- Volume 2 – Method Book Level Pieces & Lessons
- Dreams by Richard Summers – Book
- Greensleeves Arrangement Lesson – PDF
- Lesson 46 by Sagreras Lesson – Book
- Robin Reddocke from the Ballet Lute Book – PDF
- Grade 1
- The Spanish Pavin (Anonymous) – My Grade 1 Book (PDF)
- Lección 75 by Julio Sagreras – My Grade 1 Book (PDF)
- Leccion 70 by Julio Sagreras – My Grade 1 Book (PDF)
- Ècossaise Op.33, No.2 by Giuliani – My Grade 1 Book (PDF)
- Lección 19 by Dionisio Aguado – My Grade 1 Book (PDF)
- La Tirantine by Adrian Le Roy – My Grade 1 Book (PDF)
- Exercise No.11 by Napoléon Coste – My Grade 1 Book (PDF)
- Andantino Op. 50, No. 1 by Mauro Giuliani – PDF
- Canson Englesa (Lusty Gallant) [also Bransle Englese] – PDF/Book
- Tanz by Georg Leopold Fuhrman – PDF
- Waltz by Calatayud (Grade 1) -Book
- Waltz, Op. 121, No. 1 by Ferdinando Carulli -PDF
- Andantino by Johann Kaspar Mertz – PDF
- Grade 2
- Andante Op. 35, No. 1 by Fernando Sor – PDF
- The Ash Grove – Llwyn Onn – PDF
- Gigue from Suite in C Major by Johann Anton Logy – PDF
- Moderato by Ferdinando Carulli – PDF
- Oh Shenandoah for Easy Guitar – PDF
- The Skye Boat Song (Outlander Theme) – PDF
- Andante by Johann Kaspar Mertz – PDF
- Grade 3
- Brouwer Etude No. 1 – Book
- Brouwer Etude No. 2 & 3 – Book
- Brouwer Etude No.4 – Book
- Danny Boy for Easy Guitar – PDF
- Españoleta Theme by Gaspar Sanz – PDF
- Ferrer: Ejercicio No.9 – Free PDF
- Loch Lomond for Easy Guitar – PDF
- Romance by Francesco Molino – PDF
- Rujero by Gaspar Sanz – PDF
- Sor: Study, No. 6, Op. 60 – PDF
- Study in C by Tarrega – Free PDF
- Tarrega: Estudio in E Minor – Free PDF
- Grade 4
- Ave Maria by Schubert, Gr.4, Romantic, Notation or TAB
- Andante Op. 60, No. 14 by Fernando Sor – PDF
- Bach: Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring – Free PDF
- Brouwer Etude No. 5 – Book
- Brouwer Etude No. 8 – Book
- Brouwer Etude No. 10 – Book
- Brouwer Etude No. 12 – Book
- Dowland: Mr. Dowland’s Midnight – PDF
- Dowland: Mrs. Winters Jump – Free PDF
- Ferrer: Cantilène Espagnole– Free PDF
- Giuliani: Etude No. 22, Op. 50 – PDF
- O’Carolan’s Welcome For Guitar – Free PDF
- Sagreras: Lección No. 84, – Free PDF
- Sanz: Folias – PDF
- Tarrega: Lagrima by Tarrega – Free PDF
- Grade 5
- Anonymous: Spanish Romance – Romanza – Free PDF
- Bach: Air ‘On the G String’ – PDF
- Brouwer Etude No. 9 – Book
- Cutting: Greensleeves – Free PDF
- Johnson, Robert: Alman – Free PDF
- Pachelbel’s Canon in D – Free PDF
- Carcassi Etude No.1, Op.60 – Free PDF
- Carcassi: Etude No. 4, Op.60 – Book
- Carcassi: Etude No. 6, Op. 60 – PDF
- Carcassi: Etude No.7, Op. 60,- Free PDF
- Carcassi: Etude No. 10, Op. 60– PDF
- Carcassi: Study No. 14, Op. 60 – PDF
- Carcassi: Study No. 19, Op. 60 – PDF
- Giuliani: Etude Op.1, Part 3, No.1, Free PDF
- Sor Study No.18, Op.35 – Free PDF
- Grade 6
- Bach: Bouree from BWV 996 – Free PDF
- Brouwer: Etude No. 6 – Book
- Brouwer: Etude No. 7 – Book
- Brouwer: Etude No. 11 – Book
- Brouwer: Etude No. 13 – Book
- Carcassi: Study No. 19, Op. 60 – PDF
- Johnson, Robert: Alman – Free PDF
- Kellner: Passepied in A – PDF
- Kellner: Pastoral in A Major – PDF
- Mertz: Nocturne Op.4, No.1 – Free PDF
- Adelita by Tárrega – Free PDF
- Prelude No. 4 by Villa-Lobos – Book
- Grade 7
- Bach – Prelude from Cello Suite BWV1007 – Free PDF
- Bach – Prelude in D minor, BWV999 – Free PDF
- Kellner – Rondeau in A – PDF
- Brouwer – Etude No. 14 – Book
- Brouwer – Etude No. 15 – Book
- Llobet – El Testament d’Amèlia – Free PDF
- Llobet – El Noi de la Mare by Llobet – Free PDF
- da Milano: Ricercare XVI – Free PDF
- Grade 8
- Marieta, Mazurka by Tarrega – Free PDF
- Giga by Kellner – PDF
- Grade 9
- Tarrega: Capricho Árab – Free PDF
- Tarrega: Recuerdos de la Alhambra – Free PDF
- Villa-Lobos Etude No. 1 – Book
- Grade 10
- Coste Etude No.23 with Gohar Vardanyan – book
Lessons from my eBook: Ten Classical Etudes
Approximately Grade 3-7 RCM
- Sor Study, No. 6, Op. 60 by Fernando Sor (Etude #1)
- Allegretto, No. 22, Op. 50 by Mauro Giuliani (Etude #2)
- Lesson: Study No. 14, Op. 60 by Matteo Carcassi (Etude #3)
- Allegro Moderato Study No. 19, Op. 60 by Carcassi (Etude #4)
- Lesson: Moderato, Study No. 6, Op. 60 by Carcassi (Etude #5)
- Lesson: Study No. 24, Op. 60 by Fernando Sor (Etude #6)
- Lesson: Allegretto, Study No. 10, Op. 60 by Carcassi (Etude #7)
- Thirds in G Major No. 5, Op. 1 by Mauro Giuliani (Etude #8)
- Lesson: Octaves in G Major by Giuliani (Etude #9)
- Lesson by Gohar Vardanyan: Study in B Minor by Sor (Etude #10)
Lessons from my ebook: 20 Favorite Exercises
- No. 1 – Right Hand Walking
- No. 2 – Basic Left Hand Position Exercise
- No. 3 – Left Hand Position: Horizontal Builders
- No. 4 – Basic Arpeggios + Full & Sequential Planting
- No. 5 – Basic Tremelo Exercise for Classical Guitar
- No. 6 – Left Hand Slur Exercise: Vertical Builder
- No. 7 – Left Hand Slur Exercise: Horizontal Builder
- No. 8 – Right Hand Cross-String Exercise
- No. 9 – Basic Rasgueado Exercise
- No. 10 – Fixed Position Exercise for the Left Hand
- No. 11 – Scale Exercise: Destination Points
- No. 12 – Scale Exercise: Rhythmic Vitality
- No. 13 – Scale Exercise: Articulation and Dynamics
- No. 14 – Slurs and Shifts Combo Exercise
- No. 15 – All-In-One-Arpeggio Pattern
- No. 16 – Barre Exercise for Guitar
- No. 17 – C Major Exercise in Thirds, Sixths, and Octaves
- No. 18 – Chromatic Scale in Octaves
- No. 19 – Scale Etude (alternating i,m)
- No. 20 – Triads & Arpeggios Etude
Brouwer Etudes (Estudios Sencillos)
- Brouwer Etude No. 1 and Lesson
- Brouwer Etude No. 2 & 3 and Lesson
- Brouwer Etude No.4 and Lesson
- Brouwer Etude No. 5 and Lesson
- Brouwer Etude No. 6 and Lesson
- Brouwer Etude No. 7 and Lesson
- Brouwer Etude No. 8 and Lesson
- Brouwer Etude No. 9 and Lesson
- Brouwer Etude No. 10 & Lesson
- Brouwer Etude No. 11 & Lesson
- Brouwer Etude No. 12 & Lesson
- Brouwer Etude No. 13 & Lesson
- Brouwer Etude No. 14 & Lesson
- Brouwer Etude No. 15 & Lesson
Pumping Nylon Video Lesson
- Lesson: Left Hand Finger Independence
- Lesson: Odair’s Favorite Drill for Guitar
- Lesson: The Spider – Left Hand Exercise
Ricardo Iznaola’s Kitharologus: The Path to Virtuosity Video Lesson
Lessons from my eBook: Major Scales for Guitar
Flamenco Influenced Lessons
- Tremolo technique with Adam del Monte
- Arpeggio and Right Hand Lesson with Adam Del Monte
- Playing faster scales on guitar with Adam Del Monte
General topics in music:
- Ted-Ed – How to practice effectively
- Scales and exercises are essential (The Strad)
- Itzhak Perlman: Why Singing is Important
- The Difference Between Playing and Practicing
- Practicing Well: Positive Success Ratios
- Practicing with a metronome: pros, cons, & tips
- Relaxation in Music: functional & dysfunctional tension
- Practicing Scales: Versatility and Vitality
- A definition of rubato in music
- The Wedding Gig: how to play music at a wedding
- Lesson: Performance Anxiety in Music
Recommended Methods & Books
- Classical Guitar Technique: Essential Exercises, Scales, & Arpeggios – Notation, 122 pages, Gr. 1-9. Video lessons, hundreds of exercises. Start after my method books and continue with repertoire.
- 20 Favorite Exercises, Notation + TAB, Video lessons, Gr.1-6, Great for crossover or a quick boost.
- Classical Guitar Method – Vol. 1, Notation, Video Lessons, 100 pages, Free PDF
- Classical Guitar Method Vol. 2, Notation, Video Lessons, 89 pages.
- Classical Guitar Repertoire Lessons Grade 1 – Eight pieces at the grade one level with dedicated lessons preparing you for each piece.
- Ten Classical Etudes, Gr.4-7, videos lessons, Notation & Notation + TAB
- Iznaola on Practicing: A Manual for Students – A great but little book on how to practice well. Many students of guitar are not going to read a huge book so this concise little booklet is perfect for getting a grounding in good practice habits and philosophy.
- Sight Reading for the Classical Guitar, Level I-III by Robert Benedict – Form, phrasing, dynamics, texture and how to sight read. Excellent book for a solid education in music. Beginner but also a good review for intermediates.
- Sight Reading for the Classical Guitar, Level IV-V – Continuation of the above book.
- Scale Pattern Studies for Guitar by Aaron Shearer– Sight reading skills and scales..no BS! Nearly 300 pages of scales and sight reading. Learn the scale then learn how to read music using the scale. This connection between reading and scales is very important. Highly recommended.
- A Tutor for the Renaissance Lute (Poulton) – Fantastic! Learn how to read Renaissance lute tablature and the techniques and performance practices that go along with it. Keep in mind that this is an actual lute book so you have to transfer the knowledge to guitar (maybe for more advanced players).
- The Techniques of Guitar Playing by Seth F. Josel & Ming Tsao – A fantastic book on modern and historical guitar techniques geared towards composers. For advanced students interested in contemporary music. Read my Full Review.