Guitar News
Django Swing (Mid-Beginner, Free PDF)
Django Swing – Free PDF sheet music, performance, and lesson video for classical guitar. Mid-Beginner level, for use after my Method Book Volume 1 or during my Volume 2.
Free PDF Sheet Music Edition
This is part of a collection of easy supplemental pieces after my free Classical Guitar Method Volume 1. or during my Classical Guitar Method Volume 2. This is a relatively easy work but I think it’s wise to complete my Volume 1 method first so the transitions are easy to accomplish for beginner students. I thought it would be nice to offer a few extra pieces for students to play before they move on to my Classical Guitar Method Vol.2 or during it for enjoyment and extra practice.
Here is the YouTube lesson link if you want to watch it there.
The post Django Swing (Mid-Beginner, Free PDF) first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.Lorenzo Micheli Plays Zart Bewegt by Rebay
Lorenzo Micheli performs I. Zart Bewegt from Zehn kleine Lieder ohne Worte by Ferdinand Rebay (1880-1953). This comes via Micheli’s YouTube channel. I don’t know these Ten Little Songs without Words but I’m very curious to get a score. Rebay’s output and quality continues to impress me as it becomes more widely available. Wonderful performance by Micheli with beautiful phrasing and an unmatched clarity of sound and musical balance.
The post Lorenzo Micheli Plays Zart Bewegt by Rebay first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.Kyuhee Park Plays Prelude No.2 by Villa-Lobos
Kyuhee Park performs Prelude No.2 by Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887-1959). This comes via her YouTube channel. Park’s playing always surprises me, she can switch from super clean and expressive playing to very extroverted intensity. I love the contrast here between the opening section and the rumbling bass during the arpeggios.
The post Kyuhee Park Plays Prelude No.2 by Villa-Lobos first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.Les 100 de Roland Dyens
Les Productions d’OZ with the help of Louis Trépanier have enlisted numerous guitarists to perform and record the complete Les 100 de Roland Dyens on YouTube. The set is 100 intermediate level creative works composed by the late Roland Dyens. I’m excited to be part of the project and my video will be out in December. I’ll post my video when it comes out. In the meantime, below are the links to the video playlists and sheet music as well as some of my favourite performances so far.
Complete Video Playlists on YouTube
Complete Sheet Music in Two Volumes via Les Productions d’OZ
Click “Watch YouTube” and see descriptions for full credits.
The post Les 100 de Roland Dyens first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.Rosita (Polka) by Francisco Tárrega
Rosita (Polka) by Francisco Tárrega (1852–1909) – PDF sheet music for classical guitar with free video performance and lesson. Comes with both a notation-only edition with left hand fingering and a tab edition. The level depends on your tempo but either late-intermediate or early-advanced (Grade 7-8) due to all the shifts and a few short challenges. This is a PDF download.
My PDF Sheet Music Edition
This is one of Francisco Tárrega’s popular salon works along with other pieces such as Lagrima, Maria, Marieta, and Adelita (I have editions of those works as well). My main advice is to isolate the melody and play it on its own. Start with a very slow tempo and memorize this one because all the shifts and navigating of the fretboard is quite tricky to read off the score. Here is the YouTube lesson link if you want to watch it there.
Promotional Cover and Samples
The post Rosita (Polka) by Francisco Tárrega first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.
Reviving Repertoire (Virtual Workshop)
Reviving Repertoire!
Virtual Workshop on finding music by overlooked composers.
Azuline Duo with Emma Rush (guitar) and Sara Traficante (flute) are offering a workshop about finding repertoire by historically overlooked composers. In the one-hour zoom session participants will learn how, where, and why to search out underplayed music, and some issues that might be encountered once it’s found! Participants will leave with a resource list and the tools to look outside the canon.
This workshop takes place November 30 at 7pm EST. Admission is by donation ($10 suggested minimum).
Register via email: azulineduo@gmail.com
The post Reviving Repertoire (Virtual Workshop) first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.Evangelina Mascardi Plays Ciaccone in E Flat by Weiss
Evangelina Mascardi performs Ciaccone in E Flat Major by German Baroque composer and lutenist Sylvius Leopold Weiss (1686–1750) on a 13 course baroque lute built by Cezar Mateus. Recorded at the church of San Francesco di Orte (Viterbo), Italy. This comes via Edoardo Lambertenghi’s excellent YouTube channel. Beautiful performance of this particularly nice Chaconne by Weiss. Wonderful pacing and ornaments throughout. You can check Mascardi’s recording of the complete lute works of Bach but it nice to hear her playing some Weiss.
The post Evangelina Mascardi Plays Ciaccone in E Flat by Weiss first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.Matthew McAllister Plays Sonata No. 80 by Seixas
Matthew McAllister performs Sonata No.80 by the Portuguese composer Carlos Seixas (1704–1742), arranged by Rebeca Oliveira. This comes via his McAllister’s YouTube channel. I’ve previously featured Rebeca’s video of this work if you want to check that out. Great playing and beautiful phrasing by McAllister. It’s nice to hear other pros playing these lovely Seixas arrangements.
The post Matthew McAllister Plays Sonata No. 80 by Seixas first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.Q&A Lesson: Correcting Bad Habits
Q&A Lesson: Correcting Bad Habits in Practicing Music and Classical Guitar. Thanks to all my Patreon supporters who submitted questions. You can visit my Support Page if you enjoy these and want to help out. Here’s the YouTube link if you want to watch the video there.
If you are looking for organized scales and exercises you might check out my full technique book with a variety of scales and exercises from beginner to advanced levels. Info on the Shearer book I mention is here.
Question & Answer Times- 12 Minute Intro Lesson with Overview Tips
- 00:00 – Intro
- 00:50 – Technique Level vs Bad Habits
- 2:18 – Identify Issues and Make a Plan
- 3:58 – Practice the Issue at the Beginning of the Session
- 5:14 – Micro Workshops During Repertoire
- 5:58 – Exercises that Force Awareness
- 8:06 – Combing Phrase Ends with Corrective Behaviour
- 11:00 – Track Your Progress
- Questions and Answer Topics
- 12:37 – Teachers and Building Self Awareness
- 13:56 – Lack of Dedicated Technique Practice
- 18:34 – Lack of Dedicated Repertoire Practice
- 20:36 – Bringing Pieces up to Performance Level
- 25:07 – Playing on the Couch & Chilling Out
- 27:15 – Posture and Slouching 29:31 – Tension During Playing
- 31:56 – Right Hand Position Correction
- 34:07 – Right Hand Ring and Pinky Curl/Tension
- 37:19 – Left Hand Alignment (Slanting Violin Habit)
- 40:18 – Left Hand Misalignment
- 44:00 – Left Hand Thumb and Electric Guitar
- 49:55 – Accuracy and Not Looking at the Left Hand
- 52:28 – Legato Transitions from Chord to Chord
- 56:41 – Outro
Adam Cicchillitti Plays Study No.1 by Phil Parker
Canadian guitarist Adam Cicchillitti performs Study No.1 by Irish composer Phil Parker. This comes via Cicchillitti’s YouTube channel. Nice to hear all the new music on Cicchillitti’s channel and great playing as usual. Here’s what he mentions in his YouTube description:
Study 1,” by Phil Parker. The fourth video of six new pieces that I workshopped with the Irish Composers’ Collective is a virtuosic study of polyrhythms between the basses, played by the right hand thumb, and the trebles, played by the remaining right hand fingers. Though the piece is quite idiomatic for the guitar, it has been an incredible challenge to put together. Needless to say, it is a study that has helped pushed my technique to a new level, and I adore the spooky harmonic language, the dissonant and crunchy chords, and the rhythmic drive. Thank you Phil!
The post Adam Cicchillitti Plays Study No.1 by Phil Parker first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.Prelude A Minor, Op.59 by Carcassi (Free PDF)
Prelude in A Minor from Méthode complète pour la guitare, Op.59 by Matteo Carcassi (1792-1853). Free PDF sheet music, performance, and lesson video for classical guitar. Mid-Beginner level, for use after my Method Book Volume 1 or during my Volume 2.
Free PDF Sheet Music Edition
This is part of a collection of easy supplemental pieces after my free Classical Guitar Method Volume 1. or during my Classical Guitar Method Volume 2. This is a relatively easy work but I think it’s wise to complete my Volume 1 method first so the chord shapes and transitions are easy to accomplish for beginner students.
Here is the YouTube lesson link if you want to watch it there.
The post Prelude A Minor, Op.59 by Carcassi (Free PDF) first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.Marko Topchii Classical Guitar Concert
Ukrainian classical guitarist Marko Topchii performs a live concert at St. Marks Lutheran Church in San Francisco, CA with repertoire by Bach, Silvestrov, Brouwer, Tansman, Gilardino, Dumond, Rodrigo, and Barrios. This comes via the Omni Foundation online series and their Youtube channel. Also check out Topchii’s YouTube channel. Great performance and repertoire. Topchii enters at 2:48 but consider watching the intro and supporting these amazing Omni concerts.
Programme
- Lute Suite in E Minor, BWV 996 by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
- 4:11 Präludium, Presto
- 6:56 Allemande
- 10:16 Courante
- 13:15 Sarabande
- 17:14 Bourrée
- 18:39 Gigue
- 21:49 Marko’s introduction to Kitsch-Music n. 1
- 22:45 Kitsch-Music n. 1 by Valentin Silvestrov (1937 – ), Arr. Marko Topchii
- 27:32 La Gran Sarabanda by Leo Brouwer (1939 – )
- 34:54 Passacaille by Alexandre Tansman (1897 – 1986)
- 41:26 Etude n. 19 (Jondo) by Angelo Gilardino (1941 – 2022)
- 46:36 Comme un Hommage a Ravel by Arnaud Dumond (1950 – )
- 51:37 Toccata by Joaquín Rodrigo (1901 – 1999)
- 59:25 Un Sueño en la Floresta by Agustín Barrios Mangore (1885-1944)
Abramovich and Devillers Perform Ceballos (arr. Daza)
Ariel Abramovich (vihuela de mano) and Perrine Devillers (soprano) perform Duro mal, terrible llanto by Spanish composer Rodrigo de Ceballos (c.1525-c.1581) arranged by Estevan Daza (c.1537-1596) in his El Parnasso (Valladolid, 1576). This comes via Edoardo Lambertenghi’s excellent YouTube channel. Estevan Daza, or Daça, was a Spanish Spanish composer and vihuelist. El Parnaso is the only known book of music by Daza and contains works for solo vihuela and for vihuela and voice.
The post Abramovich and Devillers Perform Ceballos (arr. Daza) first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.Drew Henderson Plays Nocturne Op.9, No.2 by Chopin
Drew Henderson Plays Nocturne Op.9, No.2 by Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849) on a Romantic 7-string guitar by Mark Usherovich. This comes via Henderson’s YouTube channel. Another beautiful performance and video by Henderson from his studio. Lovely phrasing and sound throughout. Check out his sheet music edition here. Below is from his YouTube description:
This arrangement is based on Tárrega’s, but I decided to do away with the octave shifts and cadenza, instead honouring the simplicity and humble quality of the original. Also, like the Raindrop Prelude, I decided to honour the original key and tune the whole guitar down a 1/2 step. The guitar was a little buzzy in this tuning so I adjusted the action. I really like a lower tuning with higher strings, kind of like Stevie Ray Vaughan!
This Romantic 7-string guitar (629mm scale) by Mark Usherovich is a joy to play and record on. Having a low B is very handy for those melismatic lines at the end of each phrase.
The post Drew Henderson Plays Nocturne Op.9, No.2 by Chopin first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.Lachrimae (Poulton No.15) by John Dowland for Guitar
Lachrimae (Poulton No.15) by John Dowland (1563-1626). PDF sheet music and video for classical guitar. Originally for Renaissance lute. Includes both a notation-only edition with left hand fingering and a separate tab edition. The level is early-advanced (grade 9). This is a PDF Download.
My PDF Sheet Music Edition
John Dowland was an English Renaissance composer, lutenist, and singer. He is best known today for his melancholy songs and lute compositions. Dowland is one of my favourite composers of the Elizabethan era and this work is an excellent set of themes and divisions.
“This solo work was later arranged and composed into the Lachrimæ or seaven teares.The seven pavans are variations on a theme, the “Lachrimæ pavan”, which Dowland had already made well known as a lute solo and a song. (That pavan was reworked into the song “Flow my tears” in Dowland’s Second Book of Songs (1600).” Read more at Wikipedia. Here’s the YouTube Lesson Link if you want to watch it there.
Below is a video on relative lute tuning and capos.
Flow my Tears for Lute and VoiceBelow are some examples of Flow my Tears with Ellen Hargis (soprano) and Paul O’Dette (lute) followed by Nigel Rogers (tenor) and Paul O’Dette (lute).
Samples and Promotional Cover
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God’s Time: Music of J.S. Bach by Aaron Larget-Caplan
Aaron Larget-Caplan has a new album, God’s Time: Music of J.S. Bach on Guitar. You can listen to the album on various streaming services check out his site or bandcamp for limited CDs. Also check out the samples and media below. The majority of works are keyboard arrangements but he also performs the Prelude, Fugue, and Allegro BWV 998 and other works. With a strong rhythmic drive and sensitive phrasing, Aaron Larget-Caplan presents and an exciting and challenging album of the music of Bach.
From the Album’s Liner Notes“In God’s Time, I sought an uplifting, challenging, and personal program to reveal new musical realms through my transcriptions of Bach’s keyboard music. The 16 tracks feature well-known compositions alongside rarely recorded ones.” – Read more via his blog post
Repertoire on the Album- Prelude, Fugue, Allegro in E-Flat Major, BWV 998
- Prelude No. 1 in C Major, WTC Book I, BWV 846
- Prelude and “Fiddle” Fugue in D Minor, BWV 539 and 1000
- God’s Time Is The Very Best Time, “Actus tragicus,” BWV 106
- Chromatic Fantasy in D Minor, BWV 903
- Prelude No. 8 in E-Flat Minor, WTC Book I, BWV 853
- Six Small Preludes and A Little Fugue
This come via Aaron Larget-Caplan’s YouTube. More videos coming soon.
The post God’s Time: Music of J.S. Bach by Aaron Larget-Caplan first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.Thu Le Plays Nocturnal, Op.70 by Benjamin Britten
Thu Le plays Nocturnal after John Dowland, Op. 70 by English composer Benjamin Britten (1913–1976). This comes via Thu Le’s YouTube channel. Nocturnal is one of my favourite works in the modern guitar repertoire so I’m always excited to share it on the site. Thu Le plays it with an amazing clarity and forward momentum. For those who don’t know the work it’s a set of reverse theme and variations with the theme by English Renaissance lutenist and composer John Dowland occurring at the end. More on the work via my post on it or Le’s YouTube description:
Nocturnal Op 70 is considered to be one of the most influential works written in the 20th Century for classical guitar.
Completed in 1963, Benjamin Britten’s composition for solo guitar was premiered by Julian Bream at the Aldeburg Festival of 1964. Consisting of nine movements, the work is essentially a set of variations on a song by John Dowland: Come, heavy sleep.
Nocturnal incorporates aspects of Britten’s composing style: his love of Elizabethan music, his pre-occupation with night, sleep and dreams plus his interest in variation technique.
The post Thu Le Plays Nocturnal, Op.70 by Benjamin Britten first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.Lesson on Giuliani Arpeggios No.21-24
A lesson on Giuliani Arpeggios No.21, 22, 23, and 24 for classical guitar from 120 Arpeggio Exercises for the Right Hand, Op.1 by Mauro Giuliani (1781-1829). My lesson covers some technique tips, fingering concepts, and the double rest stroke in the thumb often used in these patterns.
These 120 arpeggios and the 100 open string arpeggios I mention are from my book Classical Guitar Technique: Essential Exercises, Scales, and Arpeggios.
The other video on how to practice the 120 arpeggios is below or at this lesson post.
Below is a specific lesson on planting in the right hand via this lesson post.
The post Lesson on Giuliani Arpeggios No.21-24 first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.Pardy Minassian Plays Comme un Hommage à Ravel by Dumond
Pardy Minassian performs Comme un Hommage à Ravel (Étude Mélodique No. 3) by Arnaud Dumond (b.1950). This comes via This comes via Guitar Salon International and their YouTube channel. “Pardy Minassian (Bardy Minassian) is an Armenian-Syrian classical composer and guitarist, residing in Los Angeles.” (read more via her about page). This is my first time featuring Misassian on the site and I really enjoyed her very musical performance. Nice pacing with lots of very effective dynamic shaping. Dumond has lots of really nice compositions, this one comes from a collection of 36 etudes.
The post Pardy Minassian Plays Comme un Hommage à Ravel by Dumond first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.Alec Holcomb Classical Guitar Concert
Alec Holcomb performs a live concert at St. Marks Lutheran Church in San Francisco, CA. This comes via the Omni Foundation online series and their Youtube channel. Also check out Holcomb’s YouTube channel. Great performance and really nice arrangement of the cello suite by Spanish cellist and composer Gaspar Cassadó (1897–1966).
Programme
- 1:15 Sing Me into Singing by Daniel De Togni (1993- )
- 7:27 Grande Ouverture, Op. 61 by Mauro Giuliani (1781–1829)
- 15:56 Mistral by Reinhold Westerheide (1958– )
- 19:11 Imbricatta in 10 asymmetrical layers by Sergio Assad (1952– )
- 27:23 Suite for Cello Solo (arr. Alec Holcomb) by Gaspar Cassadó (1897–1966) I. Preludio-fantasia III. Intermezzo e danza finale
- 39:03 The Claw by Jerry Reed (1937–2008)
- 41:43 Prelude Op. 28, No. 7 by Frédéric Chopin (1810–1849)