Song Lesson Library

Let's learn a very simple arrangement of a beautiful melody: Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" theme! We'll take this one in three steps: first the single note melody, the we'll learn the theme in two voices, and finally we'll add a third voice for a full arrangement.

Beethoven's "Fur Elise" is one of his most widely recognized pieces. It's an exquisitely beautiful piece originally written for solo piano. In this tutorial series we will learn a simple arrangement of the main theme of the piece.

In this tutorial we will learn to play a masterpiece of the classical guitar repertoire, the 'Bourree' from J.S. Bach's Lute Suite in E Minor.

"Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" is a very simple nursery rhythm tune. But this quality is what makes it perfect for learning how to orchestrate it into a full arrangement to play as a solo classical guitar style piece. The melody has been arranged many different ways and in this tutorial we'll take a cue from Mozart who famously made a solo piano arrangement for the melody. We'll learn to harmonize the melody with chords and bass notes that work along with the melody to make a fuller sounding piece of music.

Christopher will show you everything it takes to play a complete arrangement of this well-known and loved classical piano piece arranged for solo classical guitar.

Christopher will show you how to play this traditional classical guitar piece that has beginner level skills as well as intermediate.

In this tutorial we'll learn to play a beautiful classical solo piece by guitarist-composer Francisco Tárrega (1852-1909) entitled "Lagrima". It is very much characteristic of Tarrega's work: Romantic, rich-sounding harmonies, wonderful melodic arc and quite beautiful. It is also a great piece to learn for the purpose of acquiring some very specific skills involving playing classical guitar.

Niccolo Paganini (1782-1840) was a brilliant violin virtuoso from the Classical Era. He wrote a group of 24 pieces called caprices for solo violin. He wrote these pieces as showcases for his amazing technique. In this tutorial series we are going to learn a classical guitar arrangement of the theme from the last of Paganini's Caprices, the 24th. It's a very simple melody in two parts. But this simplicity lends itself easily to Paganini's astounding variations on this simple theme. This arrangement has three variations on the theme: single note melody, two voice counterpoint and arpeggiated chords.

Christopher will show you the complete transcription of Bach's "Prelude In C Major". This piece was originally from Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier which is a kind of early keyboard. The piece consists of a long flowing series of arpeggios or chords played one note at a time with the notes held. The fretting hand has some challenging chord shapes and the picking hand will be required to do a repeated fingerpicking pattern.

Christopher will show you how to play the solo classical guitar piece 'Waltz In E Major' Op. 241 No. 15 by Ferdinando Carulli. This is a beginner level classical guitar piece that focuses on developing proper right hand technique.

In an earlier tutorial learned to play the single note melody of the French folk tune "Au Claire De La Lune". This time we are going to harmonize the melody in order to create and play a simple classical guitar style arrangement of the tune.

In this tutorial we will learn a classical guitar style arrangement of Pachelbel's 'Canon In D'.

In this tutorial we will learn a classical guitar arrangement of a theme from Peter Tchaikovsky's 'March Slave'. This is a great piece for learning to transition from beginner level to intermediate level.

In this tutorial we will learn a solo classical guitar arrangement of one of Tchaikovsky's themes from his 'Swan Lake' ballet score.

In this tutorial we will learn a classical guitar arrangement of a theme from Antonin Dvorak's "New World" Symphony. This is a great piece for learning to transition from beginner level to intermediate level.

Christopher will show you how to play the solo classical guitar piece 'Waltz In E Minor' Op. 241 No. 21 by Ferdinando Carulli. This is a beginner level classical guitar piece that focuses on developing proper right hand technique.

In this tutorial we will learn a Fernando Sor (1778-1839) piece for solo classical guitar, 'Etude In B Minor Op 35, No. 22'.

Christopher will show you all the parts to this complete transcription of Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring". Baroque music consists of polyphonic counterpoint. This is a huge playing challenge for guitarists. Keeping two melodic lines moving at the same time requires the fretting hand to constantly change shapes and patterns. The picking hand will be required to do a fingerpicking technique in which the thumb plays the bass notes and the other fingers play either melody notes or chord tones.

In this tutorial we'll learn a simple classical guitar style arrangement of the nursery rhyme "Mary Had A Little Lamb".

"Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" by Johann Sebastian Bach is a beautiful piece that's been arranged many times for solo classical guitar. In this tutorial we'll learn to play an intermediate level arrangement by the master of the Baroque era of music.

In this tutorial we will learn a beautiful Romantic classical solo piece by guitarist-composer Francisco Tarrega (1852-1909) entitled 'Adelita'.

Christopher will show you the complete transcription of Bach's "Prelude In D Minor". This piece was originally written in C minor and one of the few pieces thought to have been written for the lute. The piece consists of a long flowing series of arpeggios or chords played one note at a time with the notes held. The fretting hand has some challenging chord shapes and the picking hand will be required to do a repeated fingerpicking pattern.

In this tutorial we'll learn an easy solo classical guitar arrangement of the theme from Franz Joseph Haydn's 'Surprise' Symphony.

In this tutorial we will learn a beautiful Romantic classical solo piece by guitarist-composer Francisco Tarrega (1852-1909) titled 'Recuerdos de la Alhambra'.

In this tutorial we will learn a Francisco Tarrega (1852-1909) piece for solo classical guitar 'Prelude No. 1 in D Minor'.

In this tutorial we will learn a solo classical guitar arrangement of Johann Strauss's 'The Blue Danube' waltz theme in classical guitar style.

Christopher will show you an arrangement of the main theme from Mozart's "Symphony 40 in G Minor". This theme is one small part of a much larger symphonic work. The fretting hand has some challenging chord shapes and the picking hand will be required to do some challenging patterns.

In this tutorial we'll learn to play a beautiful classical solo piece by guitarist-composer Francisco Tárrega (1852-1909) entitled "Endecha". It is very much characteristic of Tarrega's work: Romantic, rich-sounding harmonies, wonderful melodic arc and quite beautiful. It is also a great piece to learn for the purpose of acquiring some very specific skills involving playing classical guitar.

In this tutorial we'll learn a solo fingerstyle arrangement of "The Star Spangled Banner". We'll start with the basics, understanding the melody and how to add bass notes and chord tones. Then, we'll work through the entire arrangement note by note. After we get the notes in place, we'll learn how to add some performance flair by means of musical pauses called commas and fermatas. Finally, we'll add a dramatic ending flourish.

In this tutorial we'll learn a beginner classical guitar piece by Fernando Sor 'Study No. 2, Opus 60'.

Christopher will show you all the parts to this complete transcription of Beethoven's "Adagio Cantabile", originally for solo piano. He'll cover the importance of making sure the melody and bass line are heard clearly, as well as the inner chord tones to flesh out the arrangement.

In this tutorial we will learn a classical guitar style arrangement of the main themes from the 'Nutcracker March' by Tchaikovsky.

In this tutorial we'll learn a beginner classical guitar piece by Fernando Sor 'Study No. 1, Opus 60'. This is a very simple piece written as a mostly single note melody specifically for the purpose of providing beginners with beautiful pieces to play.

In this tutorial we will learn a solo classical guitar arrangement of Frederic Chopin's 'Grand Waltz' Opus No. 18, No. 1 piano piece.

In this tutorial we'll learn a beginner classical guitar piece by Fernando Sor 'Study No. 3, Opus 60'.

In this tutorial we will learn a Francisco Tarrega (1852-1909) piece for solo classical guitar, 'Study In C Major, No. 1'. This piece will help you develop various chord voicings used in classical style for the fretting hand and common fingerpicking patterns used in classical guitar style.

Christopher will show you how to play the solo classical guitar piece 'Andante' Op. 241 No. 18 by Ferdinando Carulli. This is a beginner level classical guitar piece that focuses on developing picking hand technique along with open chord voicings and scale harmonization.

In this tutorial we will play a solo classical guitar arrangement of the main theme to Tchaikovsky's 'Pathetique' Symphony.

In this tutorial we will learn a Francisco Tarrega (1852-1909) piece for solo classical guitar, 'Study In E Minor, No. 2'. This piece will help you develop various chord voicings used in classical style for the fretting hand and common fingerpicking patterns used in classical guitar style.