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Question: What is the best position for the music stand when playing classical guitar?

Answer summary: The best music stand position depends on whether you are performing or practicing and involves many variables such as ergonomics and visual sight lines. In general, a position slightly toward your left and high enough that you do not have to bend your neck or arch your back in order to see the music is ideal. Below I give you a strong recommendation and then explore the variables in more depth.

Here is the YouTube video link in case you need it.

Ideal Music Stand Position for Home Practice

When practicing at home you can prioritize ergonomics and convenience. You can even adjust the stand to help correct, or at least encourage, posture and position issues.

Horizontal position: Adjust the music stand so you can see both the music and your left hand in your peripheral vision. This will help you avoid looking back and forth from the music to your hand. Don’t move it so far that your neck is bent and turned to the left, have it center left so your eyes can see a bit of both the music and your left hand.

Vertical position: You should adjust the music stand to be high enough that you do not have to bend your neck or arch your back in order to see the music. In fact, for student with bad posture I often raise it so they need to straighten out in order to see the music.

Visual acuity: Depending on your eyes and vision you may need the stand closer or further to see the music clearly. When sight reading I need it a bit closer but when playing something I know well the music can be further away as I’m using it almost as a guide.

Music Stand Position When Performing

When performing you want a clear line of sight between the audience and your guitar and body. This is important to the audience, they came to see and hear you. You also don’t want the music stand to block the sound that is directed at your listeners. Therefore, the music stand is often quite low. It should be low enough that the audience can see your guitar and hands clearly.

When playing music we know well this is usually fine as we have it half memorized anyway and are using the score more as a guide. When sight reading or playing ensemble music compromises must be made depending on your visual acuity.

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A compact performance from Danilina’s own channel introduces a contemporary piece by Alfred Feenstra.

A 7 October lunchtime recital pairs guitar and accordion in music ranging from Ponce and Schubert to Piazzolla.

Plan a visit to Uppsala’s October festival, with classical concerts, young talent and a guitar fair across the programme.

Released on 28 August, Ilumina brings together music by six composers, with a booklet and listening links for repertoire explorers.

Bradford Werner performs Studio No.15 – Canto di primavera (Omaggio a Igor Stravinskij) from Studi di virtuosità e di trascendenza by Angelo Gilardino (1941-2022) on classical guitar. This comes via my YouTube channel. Published by Editions Bèrben. The sheet music edition can be found via Bèrben (Edizioni Curci).

This video was performed on a Marcus Dominelli classical guitar with Augustine Regal strings and a Le Support “Voyager” guitar support. See all my gear here.

The post Bradford Werner performs Studio No.15 (Omaggio a Stravinsky) by Gilardino first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.

Carreiro-Williams Guitar Duo with Jose Carlos Carreiro and Torrin Williams perform Preludio from Violin Partita No.3 in E major, BWV 1006 by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), arranged by Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943), and then arranged again by Torrin Williams. This comes via their YouTube channel (go subscribe). They also have a score available.

An arrangement of an arrangement! Great performance and a joy to hear the well-known work reimagined. Very intricate and well worked out performance.

Looking for some Bach to Play? Check out some of these works with sheet music, video performance, and lessons.

• Suite in E Minor BWV 996 by Bach (Complete), Advanced
• Cello Suite No.2, BWV1008 by Bach (Complete), Early-Advanced
• Bouree from BWV 996 by Bach, Grade 6, Free
• Prelude in D minor, BWV 999 by Bach, Grade 7
• Prelude, Cello Suite BWV 1007 by Bach, Grade 7
• Prelude in E Major, Lute Suite BWV1006a – Advanced
• Air ‘On the G String’ BWV 1068 by Bach, Grade 4
• Bist du bei mir (Be thou with me) by Bach & Stölzel, Grade 6
• Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring BWV 147 by Bach, Grade 4
• Minuet in G, Anh.114 by Bach/Petzold, Grade 4
• Sheep May Safely Graze, BWV 208 by Bach, Grade 6
• Sinfonia (Arioso) from Cantata BWV 156 by Bach, Grade 5

The post Carreiro-Williams Guitar Duo Perform Preludio BWV1006 by Bach first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.

A new performance of Vivaldi’s Concerto in D, RV 230, with a direct link to John Williams’s freely available score.

Croatian guitarist Filip Mišković wins first prize in Benicàssim, with Luka Lovreković second and two awards for Francisco Luís.

Bluvenduo’s September 2026 Naxos release features duo transcriptions of Schubert, Franck, Rachmaninov and Schumann.

The 2026 Japan Guitar Competition names Misuzu Iwasaki second and Taichi Fukazawa third, with no first prize in its professional division.

Second annual edition at Van Cliburn Concert Hall, Texas Christian University. Concerts, competition, masterclasses and workshops; artist and concert announcements are being released during 2026.

Thirteenth edition featuring solo and chamber concerts, masterclasses, luthiery talks and book presentations. Participants include the Hera and Orishás quartets. Follow the programme for each venue.

Concerts with Goran Krivokapić and Lovro Peretić, nine competition categories and masterclasses at the Academy of Arts and Culture. Consult the organiser for applications and individual venues.

Published programme runs 5 October–7 November, marking Manuel de Falla’s 150th anniversary. Classical and flamenco concerts include Fabio Zanon and Carles Trepat; check each venue and ticket listing.

Tenth edition with concerts and an international classical guitar competition on 4 October. The wider programme includes Yamandu Costa. Check the programme and competition rules separately.

Tokyo’s live competition rounds take place on 5–6 December; applications have closed and the advancing field is announced.

A 19 November lunchtime recital in Bath pairs Sor and Regondi with Schubert song transcriptions.

Liying Zhu performs the second movement, Passacaglia from Tres Piezas Españolas by Spanish composer Joaquín Rodrigo (1901-1999). This video comes via GuitarCoop and their YouTube Channel (go subscribe). Excellent performance by Liying Zhu with great phrasing, colour and texture control. In particular, her ability to bring out the theme even in the most complex passages is a joy to hear.

Looking for Spanish Repertoire?

Check out our Spanish Classical Guitar Sheet Music along with video performance sand lessons.

The post Liying Zhu Performs Passacaglia by Rodrigo first appeared on This is Classical Guitar.

The Alessandria competition runs from 21–26 September, with finalists performing Rodrigo alongside I Musici di Parma.