Lesson: Practicing Difficult Passages in Music

In this lesson I cover how to practice difficult parts, sections, or passages in music. Here’s a breakdown of my tips: Stay calm, spot practice, break down the movements, break down the music, focus on specific issues, practice related technique,…

Review: Woodside Guitar Support

Woodside Guitar SupportLearn More at Woodside Guitars Big thanks to Woodside Guitars for sending me the Woodside Guitar Support to test out. It’s a fantastic design with excellent craftsmanship. It feels secure, stable, and comfortable. I loved my old Murata…

Classical Guitar Without Fingernails

Can you play classical guitar without nails? Yes, it’s perfectly fine to play without nails on classical guitar but you might get a little less volume, clarity, and control. That said, you’ll get a nice warm and consistent sound and…

JIJI performs Dynjandi by Gulli Björnsson

JIJI performs Dynjandi by Gulli Björnsson (b.1991). This comes via her fantastic YouTube channel. I’ve featured JIJI a few times and in every performance I really appreciate her creativity and daring performances of new music commissions. You might have seen her mentioned in the recent article…
Nights Transfigured

Nights Transfigured by Aaron Larget-Caplan

Nights Transfigured – Vol.2 of the New Lullaby Project Aaron Larget-Caplan, 2020.New Lullaby Project Buy or Listen to Samples: Aaron Larget-Caplan, bandcamp, Amazon, iTunes Nights Transfigured by Aaron Larget-Caplan Great to hear the second instalment of the New Lullaby Project…

Rosita by Antonio Manjon on Guitar (Lesson, PDF)

Rosita by Antonio Jiménez Manjón (1866-1919). PDF Sheet Music or tab for classical guitar. The PDF comes with both a notation-only edition and a tab edition. Intermediate level (grade 4-5). Free video lesson and performance. Sheet Music or Tab Edition…

Christus der ist mein Leben BWV 282 by Bach

Marta Paklar (soprano), Sofia Gvirts (alto), João Moreira (tenor), Matthew Baker (bass), and Mike Fentross (theorbo) perform the chorale ‘Christus der ist mein Leben’ from BWV 282 by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750). This comes from the absolutely amazing Netherlands Bach Society and…

Sarabande, BWV 996 by Bach (Lesson, PDF)

Sarabande from Suite in E Minor, BWV 996 by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750). Performance, Lesson, Sheet Music. Sheet Music, Tab, or Free Unfingered Edition (PDF) Here’s the sarabande lesson for my edition of the Suite in E Minor, BWV 996.…

Johan Smith Plays Der Erlkönig by Schubert

Johan Smith performs his own arrangement of the song Der Erlkönig by Franz Schubert (1787–1828). This comes via his YouTube channel. Recorded at Alfred Cortot Hall in Nyon, Switzerland. Originally a lieder (German artsong) for voice and piano. I don’t…