The other day I posted a video regarding articulation and phrasing with Graham Fitch and received a number of questions as to the exact meaning of articulation in music. The previous post covered: Phrasing in music. So in this post I want to discuss…
Let’s start with a definition from the Oxford’s Music Dictionary: phrase. Short section of music of a musical composition into which the music, whether vocal or instrumental, seems naturally to fall. Sometimes this is 4 measures, but shorter and longer…
As guitarist Scott Tennant states in his technique book “there’s no substitute for preparation.” That is true, you certainly don’t want to perform something you haven’t practiced well. The more you prepare the better the performance will go. However, there’s more…
Ten Classical Etudes Lesson: Study No. 10, Op. 60 by Matteo Carcassi. From my PDF eBook: Ten Classical Etudes (Werner Guitar Editions). Includes fingering, notation only & notation + TAB edition. YouTube Performance and Lesson Link. This is a wonderful study for…
This post is for my new PDF eBook: Ten Classical EtudesLesson: Study No. 24, Op. 60 by Fernando Sor (1778–1839)Includes fingering, notation & notation + TAB edition.YouTube Video Performance and Lesson Link (4K) Allegro Moderato, Study No. 24, Op. 60 by…
Ideas on practicing music with a focus on quality. This not a ‘how to practice’ post but really just a reminder to students about the importance of quality in your practice sessions. Quality vs Quantity As I’ve said in other…
Another great video by Scott Morris via Guitar Salon International. In this video Morris talks about posture, sitting position, guitar supports and more. Here’s the blurb via their YouTube: “In this lesson Scott addresses the topic of the proper way to…
Ten Classical Etudes Lesson: Study No. 6, Op. 60 by Matteo Carcassi – From my PDF Book: Ten Classical Etudes which includes fingering, notation & notation + TAB edition. YouTube Video Performance and Lesson Link Moderato, Study No. 6, Op. 60…
Problem: Even when students practice efficiently there is still the possibility that they are not practicing well. Here’s an example: Brad practices the most difficult sections of his music during his daily practice session (this is good). He practices the difficult…
A lesson on String Dampening for classical guitar by the excellent Scott Morris. This lesson is via Guitar Salon International. Don’t worry if you don’t fully understand all the theory or harmonic language, the main idea is that some sounds…
As a follow up to last week’s review of Ricardo Iznaola’s On Practicing: A manual for students of guitar performance, I came across a checklist including a statement called “Emotional Detachment”. Here is what Iznaola states: a. Emotional Detachment from the material being…
One of the most important lessons a student can learn is that practicing music is a problem solving experience. I read an article a few years back by classical guitarist and educator Scott Tennant that clearly defined the difference between playing…