Guitar News

Cicchillitti Plays Ombres et lumières by Roux

This is Classical Guitar - Wed, 03/27/2024 - 13:05

Canadian guitarist Adam Cicchillitti performs Ombres et lumières by Canadian composer and guitarist Patrick Roux (b.1962). This comes via Cicchillitti’s YouTube channel and recorded by Drew Henderson. You can find the sheet music for the duo or solo version at Les Productions d’Oz. Great performance by Cicchillitti with engaging momentum and a beautiful sound throughout. Here’s his write up via his YouTube description.

Patrick Roux is among the most prolific composers of music for classical guitar in Canadian history, boasting over 100 publications of original works for the instrument. Roux is a celebrated pedagogue teaching at the Conservatoire de Gatineau and University of Ottawa. I met Roux at the Domaine Forget Academy where he has been teaching every summer since the early 1990s, and have worked closely with the composer for several years. In 2017, Steve Cowan and myself commissioned Roux for a new piece for guitar duo. The resulting composition entitled Ombres et lumières (Shadows and lights) was published with les Productions d’Oz and premiered in Gatineau in September 2018. Knowing that Cowan and myself were both active soloists, Roux also created a solo version of the work, which is featured in this video.

Ombres et lumières was inspired by a painting of the same name, created by one of Roux’s closest friends, artist Mario Courchesne. The two movements of the work are starkly contrasted: The first is slow and sombre, described by the composer as “evoking human sorrow, immersing the listener in shadow and obscurity”, while the second is quick and relentless, eliciting a “journey on a sinuous, frantic and adventurous path towards the light.” The work is a dialogue, as motives are passed back and forth between both performers. The constant build from the introspective first movement to the motoric rhythms of the second culminates in frequently changing meters, modulations and musical devices reminiscent of progressive rock.

via Cicchillitti’s YouTube channel The post Cicchillitti Plays Ombres et lumières by Roux first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.
Categories: Guitar News

Woodside Guitar Support Review

This is Classical Guitar - Mon, 03/25/2024 - 17:09
Woodside Guitar Support GS3

More info, specs, and purchasing: Visit Woodside Guitars

Big thanks to Woodside Guitars for sending me the Woodside Guitar Support to review. This is the third time I’ve reviewed the support but they continue to improve the design and now have a variety of accessories to suit player preferences and demands.

The Woodside Support has an excellent design and quality craftsmanship. It feels secure, stable, and comfortable. It uses a reliable clamp system making it a secure option for important sessions or live performance. The pivoting clamp system even fits on raised fingerboard guitars. Many people will enjoy the support right out of the box but two very significant accessories are the Lift Kit for a higher guitar position and the Angle Block adjustment for a steeper angle and closer proximity. These two improvements are huge because the modern player does not want to compromise their perfect position.

Here’s the YouTube link for this review if you want to watch it there. In the video I play this Double by David Kellner (c.1670-1748).

The Pros of the Woodside Support

The GS3 has a few improvements over the GS2. The leg rest is wider, with a gentler curve, providing greater contact with the player’s leg. There is a slight 2° increase in the mount angle between the cradle and support pillar.

  • Quality craftsmanship
  • Feels secure and solid
  • Trustworthy in performance compared to suction cups
  • Adjustable for custom angles and positioning of the guitar
  • Good maneuverability
  • Quick to put on or take off
  • Pivoting clamp system compensates for various guitars and raised fingerboards
  • Easy hand adjustments for tightening and angles
  • Long collar for higher height now comes with the support
  • Works on matte finished guitars

Accessories

  • Lift Kit – For those who need additional height. I love the lift kit even though I don’t technically need it when using the long collar. I feel more safe using it and while I’m adjusting the height it stops me from accidentally disassembling the device.
  • Angle Block – The Angle Block is excellent. I don’t need it and might not use it but it really opens up possibilities for people. I talk about this in the video. It’s not just the steeper angle that I was impressed with but also that it moves the guitar body closer to one’s centre (or the lower bout closer to the left leg). This is amazing because some people might find that it will help equalize the relaxation and drop of the shoulders and help with other issues. 
Concerns and Discussions

All of my past concerns have been addressed in the improvements and optional accessories so I’m very happy with the support. I also really like a static and secure position after all adjustments so this support works well for me. See the video for discussions on movement and playability.

Will the clamp come off? They shouldn’t if you’re playing in a healthy, normal, and responsible way. If it came off I think that would be due to irresponsible expectations and unhealthy playing habits. If it was not tightened enough or tightened too much and the player exerted tons of force on the neck I guess it’s possible it could come off but…don’t do that. Don’t do that with any guitar support or even a footstool. I test this in the video.

The Clamp – Some people have concerns about attaching a clamp to their guitar. Remember that clamps are used in the making of guitars and the side of the instrument is pretty safe for this. Of course, you want to only tighten it enough to securely hold it in place. I’m completely comfortable with the clamp system on my expensive guitar. I played with the old Murata clamp for years and I’d say this system is even more safe due to the pivoting clamp that will more equally distribute the pressure.

In regards to your polish – If you have a bullet proof finish on a factory guitar I think you’re totally fine. For French polish, anything that comes in repeated contact with your guitar will have some wear and tear over the years. Even my leg, chest, and arm contact points eventually make their scuff marks in my French polish, not to mention nail marks on the top. I use a clear non-adhesive protective vinyl material to protect my guitar at the clamp contact point but I don’t think it’s even necessary. I use a non-guitar cling called Grafix ClingVinyl but there are guitar-specific products that are similar such as the brand Kling-on. I’ve used it on French polish and polyurethane finishes but I’ve been told not to use on lacquer finishes. There can be discolouration after removing the vinyl since it has protected the guitar from light and scuff marks. Regardless, use vinyl at your own risk, ask your luthier or guitar maker first. Like I said, I think the support is totally safe to use.

Conclusion

The Woodside Guitar Support is an adjustable, secure, and comfortable guitar support. I trust it in performance and love how the support and accessories enable the perfect guitar position.

For more info, models, specifications, and purchasing please visit Woodside Guitars.

The post Woodside Guitar Support Review first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.
Categories: Guitar News

Etude No.8, Op.60 by Carcassi

This is Classical Guitar - Mon, 03/18/2024 - 13:29

Etude No.8, Op.60 (Moderato) by Matteo Carcassi (1796-1853) with performance, lesson, and sheet music. This from my edition of 25 Etudes, Op.60 by Matteo Carcassi. PDF or hardcopy sheet music for classical guitar. Comes with both a notation edition with left hand fingering and a separate tab edition in the same pdf. Intermediate to Early-Advanced (Grade 5-9). 142 Pages. Here is the YouTube link if you want to watch it there.

Etude No.8 is at a technique level of around Grade 6 depending on your desired tempo and level of musical refinement. This etude presents study opportunities for arpeggios, slurs, and chord shape management. A deceivingly simple etude at first but putting all those techniques together can be difficult to play with refinement and clean polishing at the final stages.

The twenty-five etudes in Op.60 by Matteo Carcassi (1796-1853) are one of the most important pedagogical collections for classical guitar. The etudes are both enjoyable for their musical content and pedagogically beneficial for their very clear technical objectives. Compared to other etude collections, both period and modern, Op.60 excels in its tightly focused compositional adherence to didactic goals. For this reason the etudes are excellent studies for students to test their skills in a controlled musical setting and a rite of passage from the intermediate to upper playing level.

Subscribe to the free membership newsletter and if you’re just watching for free you can consider supporting the site. This video was performed on a Douglass Scott classical guitar with Savarez New Cristal Creation strings and an ErgoPlay Troster guitar support. All my gear here.

The post Etude No.8, Op.60 by Carcassi first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.
Categories: Guitar News

McGregor-Verdejo Duo Play Missing You by Sharman

This is Classical Guitar - Sun, 03/17/2024 - 10:04

McGregor-Verdejo Duo with Mark McGregor (alto flute) and Adrian Verdejo (classical guitar) perform Missing You by Rodney Sharman. This comes via Redshift Music Society and their Youtube channel. This is also from a new online concert series, Duets, featuring video recordings of live performances of Canadian works via the Canadian Music Centre BC, in partnership with Redshift Music Society. Score available from Canadian Music Centre. Beautiful performance and composition with such a delicate texture in the guitar part. Below are the composer’s notes via the YouTube description:

Missing You was written for the McGregor-Verdejo Duo in Summer 2020, a time of social isolation due an ongoing pandemic. At the duo’s request, I wrote a piece informed by the work of composer Jo Kondo, with whom I studied Japanese music at the University of Victoria. Kondo’s music has an elusive “between categories” texture I admire greatly: is it almost the same music at almost the same time (heterophony)? Is the same music layered with itself staggered in time (a round, or canon)? Is the music’s line or melody divided between performers such that fragments create a whole (hocket)? Does tone colour create the illusion of melody (Klangfarbenmelodie)? Adrian Verdejo and Mark McGregor are dedicated interpreters of my work. It was a pleasure to write for them as a duo; Missing You dedicated to them, commissioned through the generosity of the Canada Council for the Arts.

via Redshift Music Society on YoutubeThe post McGregor-Verdejo Duo Play Missing You by Sharman first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.
Categories: Guitar News

ViennaDuo Play Romanian Folk Dances by Bartok

This is Classical Guitar - Sat, 03/16/2024 - 10:02

ViennaDuo with Desislava Dobreva (flute) and Bozhana Pavlova (guitar) play their arrangement of Romanian Folk Dances by Béla Bartók (1881-1945). This comes via ViennaDuo on YouTube. Originally for piano and later orchestrated by the composer. Great performance and arrangement by ViennaDuo with beautiful melodic phrasing and articulation throughout. Works nicely on guitar and flute with all the interesting textures being fully realized.

The post ViennaDuo Play Romanian Folk Dances by Bartok first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.
Categories: Guitar News

Rercercata Bella Collaboration with Elizabeth Pallett

This is Classical Guitar - Fri, 03/15/2024 - 10:00

Rercercata Bella, an anonymous Renaissance lute work from the Siena Lute Book. Performance, sheet music, lesson, and discussion for classical guitar or lute. This is a collaboration with Elizabeth Pallett via Luteweb on YouTube (go subscribe) and Luteweb.com. I had a wonderful time working with Elizabeth on this project and learned so much from her, I hope you do too. Our discussion shows how there can be endless discussions and discovery in these works and collaboration with lute player must happen more often!

Support this Collaboration

Please thank Elizabeth for her time by supporting her on Ko-Fi (I did): Support Luteweb on Ko-Fi.

My free pdf sheet music edition

Notation, french tablature, Italian tablature. Free until the end of March.

Links

Recercata Bella (Anonymous Renaissance Lute Work) See the video for additional info as well as the collaboration videos with lutenist Elizabeth Pallett via her excellent site at luteweb.com and YouTube channel.

Fingered for relative lute tuning on guitar with the 3rd string tuned down to F sharp and optional capo on 3rd fret. My edition comes with a notation edition, French tablature, and Italian tablature edition.

There are two manuscripts for this work. I’ve based this edition on the manuscript from the Siena Lute Book (The Hague, Gemeentemuseum, MS 28.B.39) which is an anthology of over 150 items compiled in Siena, Italy. The other manuscript can be found in the Bibliothéque Nationale, Paris: F-Pn Rés.429, ff. 107v-108v (Italian Tablature Copy c.1560-1565).

The post Rercercata Bella Collaboration with Elizabeth Pallett first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.
Categories: Guitar News

Gabriel Bianco Plays Sonata Romántica by Ponce

This is Classical Guitar - Wed, 03/06/2024 - 13:08

French classical guitarist Gabriel Bianco performs the first movement Allegro Moderato from Sonata Romántica by Manuel Ponce (1882-1948). Performed from his hometown of Lille, France and performed on a Altamira N500 classical guitar. This comes via Altamira Guitars and their YouTube channel.

Ponce wrote a number of sonatas and suites in imitation of era specific styles. This one was written with the dedication “Hommage a F. Schubert qui aimait la guitare” (Tribute to F. Schubert who loved the guitar). Wonderful performance by Bianco with excellent phrasing, articulations, and expressive musical delivery. There’s so much one can do with this opening movement and I really like Bianco’s pacing and Romantic touches but not without some classical refinement to the motifs and style.

The post Gabriel Bianco Plays Sonata Romántica by Ponce first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.
Categories: Guitar News

Etude No.7, Op.60 by Carcassi

This is Classical Guitar - Tue, 03/05/2024 - 13:51

Etude No.7, Op.60 (Allegro) by Matteo Carcassi (1796-1853) with performance, lesson, and sheet music. This from my edition of 25 Etudes, Op.60 by Matteo Carcassi. PDF or hardcopy sheet music for classical guitar. Comes with both a notation edition with left hand fingering and a separate tab edition in the same pdf. Intermediate to Early-Advanced (Grade 5-9). 142 Pages. Here is the YouTube link if you want to watch it there.

Etude No.7 is at a technique level of around Grade 5-6 depending on your desired tempo and level of musical refinement. It’s a great study for repeated notes and arpeggios as well as offering an opportunity to increase your tempo to an exciting tempo. This is not a tremolo piece in the guitar sense despite the repeated notes and it is likely Carcassi just repeated i-m but almost all modern guitarist use i-m-a making it an opportunity to develop that technique.

The twenty-five etudes in Op.60 by Matteo Carcassi (1796-1853) are one of the most important pedagogical collections for classical guitar. The etudes are both enjoyable for their musical content and pedagogically beneficial for their very clear technical objectives. Compared to other etude collections, both period and modern, Op.60 excels in its tightly focused compositional adherence to didactic goals. For this reason the etudes are excellent studies for students to test their skills in a controlled musical setting and a rite of passage from the intermediate to upper playing level.

Subscribe to the free membership newsletter and if you’re just watching for free you can consider supporting the site. This video was performed on a Douglass Scott classical guitar with Aquila Cristallo strings and an ErgoPlay Troster guitar support. All my gear here.

The post Etude No.7, Op.60 by Carcassi first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.
Categories: Guitar News

Left Hand Tension and Relaxation Lesson and Exercises

This is Classical Guitar - Wed, 02/28/2024 - 20:12

Left Hand Tension and Vice Grip Problems: Relaxation and awareness exercises on classical guitar. Make sure you have a good posture, position, and left hand technique before working on these exercises (check out the links below). It’s also very important to play close to the frets in order to not buzz.

Video Times:

  • 0:00 Intro and Discussion 1
  • 1:28 Vice Grip and Thumb Relaxation
  • 4:00 Muted and Buzz Exercises
  • 8:01 Review and Right-Left Disassociation
  • 9:54 Conclusion

Relavant Links

Subscribe to the free membership newsletter and if you’re just watching for free you can consider supporting the site. This video was performed on a Douglass Scott classical guitar with Aquila Cristallo strings and an ErgoPlay Troster guitar support. All my gear here.

Previous Video and Lesson

Lesson: Left Hand Tension and Relaxation Exercises – This is a lesson on how to relax the left hand and learn to do the movements without tension. Although some tension is used in playing we must differentiate between functional tension and dysfunctional tension (some terms from Charles Duncan’s The Art of Classical Guitar Playing). YouTube Lesson Link.  In the video I cover 4 main topics:

  1. The importance of have a good technique and positions overall
  2. Muted exercises that can help your technique
  3. The vice-grip problem and thumb tension
  4. Integrating these exercises into your practice routine

Although I didn’t discuss it above, this is also related to speed work on guitar. My formula is: Speed = Economy of Motion + Accuracy + Relaxation – Economy of motion is the act of eliminating unneeded movements. Keeping your fingers close to the strings and preparing your fingers directly over the frets increases efficiency. Accuracy is self-explanatory but should not be overlooked. Placing your fingers close to the frets allows you to play with less pressure and tension. Relaxation enables you to access reflexes connected to your body’s natural ergonomic movements. Focus on slow, accurate playing and relaxation. Allow speed to come naturally as a result of good practice.

Here’s the video on Speed and Relaxation from my book Classical Guitar Technique: Essential Exercises, Scales, and Arpeggios. The 122 page book includes: Practice Routines, Tips, 100 Open String Exercises, 120 Giuliani Arpeggios, Scales, Slur Exercises, Shifts, Finger Independence, Barre, Tremolo, Common Harmonics, and much more.

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Categories: Guitar News

Marco De Biasi Performs Vento d’Inverno 

This is Classical Guitar - Tue, 02/27/2024 - 19:05

Marco De Biasi performs his own composition Vento d’Inverno inside the historic 13th-century Oratorio dei Battuti Church in Vittorio Veneto, Italy. This comes via the Omni Foundation online series and their Youtube channel. I’ve posted videos of Marco De Biasi’s excellent playing and compositions a few times and I highly recommend checking out his works. See more at his website or personal YouTube channel.

The post Marco De Biasi Performs Vento d’Inverno  first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.
Categories: Guitar News

Nicole Payie Plays Yradier and Martín

This is Classical Guitar - Mon, 02/26/2024 - 12:28

Canadian classical guitarist Nicole Payie performs Mirándote by Eduardo Martín (b.1953) and La Paloma (The Dove) by Sebastián Iradier (1809-1865). This comes via Payie’s new YouTube channel (go subscribe now). Nicole is a good friend and colleague of mine and has helped out on the site and sheet music a few times. She teaches at the Victoria Conservatory of Music, her home studio, and she’s also on my list of recommended online teachers. Lovely performances with nicely highlighted melodic work.

The post Nicole Payie Plays Yradier and Martín first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.
Categories: Guitar News

Etude No.6, Op.60 by Carcassi

This is Classical Guitar - Sun, 02/25/2024 - 15:47

Etude No.6, Op.60 (Moderato) by Matteo Carcassi (1796-1853) with performance, lesson, and sheet music. This from my edition of 25 Etudes, Op.60 by Matteo Carcassi. PDF or hardcopy sheet music for classical guitar. Comes with both a notation edition with left hand fingering and a separate tab edition in the same pdf. Intermediate to Early-Advanced (Grade 5-9). 142 Pages. Here is the YouTube link if you want to watch it there.

Etude No.6 is at a technique level of around Grade 5-6 depending on your desired tempo and level of musical refinement. It’s a great study for two-voice independence, right hand thumb work, musical balance and control over a simple texture.

The twenty-five etudes in Op.60 by Matteo Carcassi (1796-1853) are one of the most important pedagogical collections for classical guitar. The etudes are both enjoyable for their musical content and pedagogically beneficial for their very clear technical objectives. Compared to other etude collections, both period and modern, Op.60 excels in its tightly focused compositional adherence to didactic goals. For this reason the etudes are excellent studies for students to test their skills in a controlled musical setting and a rite of passage from the intermediate to upper playing level.

Subscribe to the free membership newsletter and if you’re just watching for free you can consider supporting the site. This video was performed on a Douglass Scott classical guitar with Aquila Cristallo strings and an ErgoPlay Troster guitar support. All my gear here.

The post Etude No.6, Op.60 by Carcassi first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.
Categories: Guitar News

Baroque Guitar Works on a Saers Guitar A90

This is Classical Guitar - Fri, 02/23/2024 - 17:00

Baroque guitar works performed on a Saers Guitar A90. Here I’m performing two Baroque guitar works to get a bit more out of the Saer guitar that I recently reviewed. The first work is a beautiful little Aria by Italian Baroque guitarist Francesco Asioli (1645-1676). The second work is La Esfachata de Napoles (The Girl from Naples) by Spanish Baroque guitarist Gaspar Sanz (ca 1650-1710). I have sheet music editions and lesson videos for both works at the links below.

See the full review of the Saers Guitar A90

Aria and Capriccio by Asioli, Grade 6-7

Gaspar Sanz Collection Volume 2, Baroque, Grade 4-7

Saers Guitar A90 Summary – The Saers Guitar A90 is packed with features usually found on much higher priced guitars. The solid woods, lattice bracing, raised fingerboard, 12 hole bridge, French polish top, high C, tuners, and responsiveness all contribute to an excellent value at this price. With a big sound, clean workmanship, and a high level of playability, this is going to be a popular instrument. See all my gear here: https://www.thisisclassicalguitar.com/classical-guitar-store-reviews/

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Categories: Guitar News

Why do we need scholarly editions of music?

This is Classical Guitar - Thu, 02/22/2024 - 12:32

Why do we need scholarly editions of music? Here is an excellent video on the importance of creating music editions with a scholarly or inquisitive mind. This is outrageously relevant to lute and early guitar scores that include a variety of symbols, tunings, various sources, types of notation/tablature, and more. This comes via Early Music Sources and their fantastic YouTube channel. For the sources in the video and footnotes visit this page. Created by Elam Rotem and Alon Schab, February 2023. Special thanks to Uri Smilansky and Anne Smith.

  • 0:00 Introduction
  • 1:07 Translating to modern notation
  • 3:15 Performance material and separate parts
  • 5:48 Touch of a specialist
  • 10:53 Making your own edition

The post Why do we need scholarly editions of music? first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.
Categories: Guitar News

Study in C by Francisco Tárrega

This is Classical Guitar - Wed, 02/21/2024 - 14:15

Study in C by Francisco Tárrega (1852–1909) – PDF Sheet Music and lesson video for classical guitar. Includes a notation sheet music edition with left and right hand fingering followed by a separate tab edition in the same pdf. The level is easy to early-intermediate with some 3rd position work and Barres (Grade 3).

Free Sheet Music Edition (Free until March 8th, 2024)

Also find it at Werner Guitar Editions

This is one of Francisco Tárrega’s (1852–1909) easier etudes or studies (estudios). I don’t actually know of anyone who’s seen the manuscript for this work so feel free to call it attributed to Tarrega. This is a great work for classical guitarists who are getting ready for intermediate repertoire as this one involves some barres and easy third position playing. Make sure to shape the melody that is embedded into the arpeggios. This is a nice short work that is often played by students and professionals.

Additional Video Lesson

Below is another lesson on this work from my Classical Guitar Repertoire Lessons Grade 3. Both are the same sheet music but my grade 3 book has some lesson material before the edition.

The post Study in C by Francisco Tárrega first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.
Categories: Guitar News

Etude No.5, Op.60 by Carcassi

This is Classical Guitar - Sat, 02/17/2024 - 13:25

Etude No.5, Op.60 (Moderato) by Matteo Carcassi (1796-1853) with performance, lesson, and sheet music. This from my edition of 25 Etudes, Op.60 by Matteo Carcassi. PDF or hardcopy sheet music for classical guitar. Comes with both a notation edition with left hand fingering and a separate tab edition in the same pdf. Intermediate to Early-Advanced (Grade 5-9). 142 Pages. Here is the YouTube link if you want to watch it there.

Etude No.5 is at a technique level of around Grade 6 depending on your desired tempo and level of musical refinement. It’s a great study of two voice interaction, arpeggios, and chord shape management. With a few specific techniques in hte right and left hand, this etude represents a small jump in level compared to the previous studies.

The twenty-five etudes in Op.60 by Matteo Carcassi (1796-1853) are one of the most important pedagogical collections for classical guitar. The etudes are both enjoyable for their musical content and pedagogically beneficial for their very clear technical objectives. Compared to other etude collections, both period and modern, Op.60 excels in its tightly focused compositional adherence to didactic goals. For this reason the etudes are excellent studies for students to test their skills in a controlled musical setting and a rite of passage from the intermediate to upper playing level.

Subscribe to the free membership newsletter and if you’re just watching for free you can consider supporting the site. This video was performed on a Douglass Scott classical guitar with Aquila Cristallo strings and an ErgoPlay Troster guitar support. All my gear here.

The post Etude No.5, Op.60 by Carcassi first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.
Categories: Guitar News

Seungyeon Lee Plays Kinderszenen by Schumann

This is Classical Guitar - Mon, 02/12/2024 - 18:19

Korean classical guitarist Seungyeon Lee performs a selection of Kinderszenen (Scenes from Childhood) by Robert Schumann (1810-1856). Kinderszenen is originally for piano and arranged here by Johan Smith. This comes via Matthew McAllister’s Gallery of Guitar on YouTube for his curator series. Wonderful performance by Lee with beautiful phrasing, rhythmic delivery, and handling of the texture. They also have a wonderful discussion on the performance and works in the video below.

  • 1. Von fremden Ländern und Menschen (Of Foreign Lands and Peoples)
  • 7. Träumerei (Dreaming)
  • 8. Am Kamin (At the Fireside)
  • 13. Der Dichter spricht (The Poet Speaks)

The post Seungyeon Lee Plays Kinderszenen by Schumann first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.
Categories: Guitar News

Etude No.4, Op.60 by Carcassi

This is Classical Guitar - Sat, 02/10/2024 - 18:55

Etude No.4, Op.60 (Allegretto) by Matteo Carcassi (1796-1853) with performance, lesson, and sheet music. This from my edition of 25 Etudes, Op.60 by Matteo Carcassi. PDF or hardcopy sheet music for classical guitar. Comes with both a notation edition with left hand fingering and a separate tab edition in the same pdf. Intermediate to Early-Advanced (Grade 5-9). 142 Pages. Here is the YouTube link if you want to watch it there.

Etude No.4 is at a technique level of around Grade 5-6 depending on your desired tempo and level of musical refinement. It is an excellent study of arpeggios mixed with descending slurs (pull-offs). This is a great didactic study and good for the left hand alignment since you’ll be playing slurs with fixed fingers on other strings.

The twenty-five etudes in Op.60 by Matteo Carcassi (1796-1853) are one of the most important pedagogical collections for classical guitar. The etudes are both enjoyable for their musical content and pedagogically beneficial for their very clear technical objectives. Compared to other etude collections, both period and modern, Op.60 excels in its tightly focused compositional adherence to didactic goals. For this reason the etudes are excellent studies for students to test their skills in a controlled musical setting and a rite of passage from the intermediate to upper playing level.

Subscribe to the free membership newsletter and if you’re just watching for free you can consider supporting the site. This video was performed on a Douglass Scott classical guitar with Aquila Cristallo strings and an ErgoPlay Troster guitar support. All my gear here.

The post Etude No.4, Op.60 by Carcassi first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.
Categories: Guitar News

Evangelina Mascardi Plays Fantasia VII by Mudarra

This is Classical Guitar - Tue, 02/06/2024 - 13:41

Evangelina Mascardi (Vihuela) performs Fantasia VII by Alonso Mudarra (1510–1580) from Tres libros de musica en cifras para vihuela. This comes via Mascardi’s YouTube channel. Beautiful performance with excellent voice entries, phrasing, and rhythmic delivery. I learn so much about a natural delivery of early music performance practice just from watching Mascardi’s performances.

Mudarra wrote numerous pieces for the vihuela and the four-course guitar which are found in his Tres libros de musica en cifras para vihuela (Three books of music in numbers for vihuela), which he published in 1546 in Seville. These three books contain the first music ever published for the four-course guitar, which was then a relatively new instrument. Compositions represented in this publication include fantasias, variations (including a set on La Folia), tientos, pavanes and galliards, and songs. Read more via wiki.

If you’re interested in playing some Mudarra I have an edition and lesson for Fantasia No.10.

The post Evangelina Mascardi Plays Fantasia VII by Mudarra first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.
Categories: Guitar News

Irene Gómez Plays Se Sya and Fughetta pour elle by Amos Coulanges

This is Classical Guitar - Sun, 02/04/2024 - 14:00

Irene Gómez performs Se Sya and Fughetta pour elle by Amos Coulanges (b.1954). This comes via Gómez’s YouTube channel and Siccas Guitars and their YouTube channel. Great performances by Gómez with an excellent rhythmic delivery and sensitive voice independence in the Fughetta. Haitian composer and guitarist Amos Coulanges, based in France, has a wealth of works to explore and these two videos show some variety in the style of his compositions. He is also well known as a film composer. Gómez mentions this on her website:

It was in my first years in Paris as a student when I first got aware of the music by Haitian composer Amos Coulanges. This was thanks to a friend of mine from Canada married to a talented painter who lived in Paris. She was a big fan of Amos and she introduced me to his great musical art. The universal Caribean genious Leo Brouwer, said about the music by Amos Coulanges: “The music of Amos Coulanges is truly representative of his Haitian culture: fresh as a landscape, direct as the trait of the Creole youth but at the same time equally complex…How can you combine so many diverse things into one? This can only be done in our Caribbean Islands. Thus the music of Amos Coulanges.”

via Irene Gómez: The music of Amos Coulanges

Sheet Music and Bio – You can find quite a bit of Amos Coulanges’s music at Les Productions d’OZ here where they also have a nice little bio:

Amos Coulanges was born in Haïti (Port Au Prince, 1954). He was awarded the First Prize in the 7th Carrefour Mondial de la Guitare by Leo Brouwer, in Martinique. He has long been in the guitar class of professor Javier Quevedo at l’École Normale de musique de Paris and at the Saint-Germain-en-Layes conservatory. While being a seasoned concert player, he also teaches music education and choral repertoire in Paris as a certified teacher. Amos Coulanges also composes works for guitar and flute, mixed voices choir and film soundtracks. His music takes inspiration from Haïti and its heritage, as well as various cultural influences. He performs on a regular basis in Paris in solo, or in duo with singer Kécita Clénard.

Les Productions d’OZ

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