Classical Lessons Course

This is a tutorial series covering some basic, introductory classical guitar techniques of the right hand. Among topics covered are: fingernail use, fingering identification & use, rest stoke, free stroke, tremolo, rasgueado, pizzicato, etc.

This is a tutorial series covering some basic, introductory classical guitar techniques of the left hand. Topics covered include: bringing out multiple, simultaneous voices, lines, melodies, vibrato, harmonics, etc.

This tutorial covers how to hold the classical guitar in order to better approach playing the style. Related issues include the foot rest, proper posture, left hand and right hand overall placement.

This tutorial explores the unique characteristics of classical guitar style. These include the general musical approach and technique, the historical genre and style of music, the specific type of instrument and a brief overview of fingerstyle right hand technique.

In this tutorial we'll learn some basic two voice, or two part, classical guitar exercises. In each exercise, one voice will be scale played up then down; the other voice will be a repeated pedal note. Playing two voices simultaneously in two different registers (bass & treble) is an important aspect of classical guitar style. We'll use an E major & an E minor scale. Both scales will be played in the bass register (lower, bass strings) & then in the treble register (upper, high strings). The pedal notes will be played on the opposite register as the scale.

This tutorial will teach you how to play more simple, single note melodies using three adjacent strings (and sometimes more). This will give you more practice in reading and playing notes in the first position of the all 6 strings in classical style.

This tutorial will teach you how to play some simple, single note melodies using two adjacent strings. This will give you more practice in reading and playing notes in the first position of the all 6 strings in classical style. It will give you more practice learning to sight read notes and rhythmic notation. Finally, it will help you get used to playing with your fingertips and fingernails on nylon strings.

This tutorial we'll practice basic open chords in a classical guitar style. Chords covered include: A major, A minor, A7, B7, C, C7, D major, D minor, E major, E minor, E7, F, G7. In each exercise two chords are paired for a tonic (I) to dominant (V7) musical pattern. Classical guitar style right hand fingerstyle technique will be used to illustrate the way classical guitar style uses minimal chord voices, close harmony motion & small melodic phrases to walk from the dominant chord back to the tonic.

This tutorial will teach you how to play six simple single string exercises that will help you learn the names of the notes in the first position. It will also give you practice learning to sight read notes and rhythmic notation. Finally, it will help you get used to playing with your fingertips and fingernails on nylon strings.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

"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.

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.

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

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 solo classical guitar arrangement of the 'Waltz' Op. 39 No. 15 by classical composer Johannes Brahms.

In this tutorial we will learn a solo classical guitar arrangement of the "Lullaby Waltz" Op. 49 No. 4 by classical composer Johannes Brahms.

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.

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

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

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

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 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.

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.

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.

This tutorial series of 10 lessons is the second group of 10 (Study 11 - Study 20) of Giuliani's 120 Right Hand Studies for Classical Guitar. Giuliani, a 19th century guitar virtuoso created these studies in an effort to systematize guitar playing skills for students. They are for developing right hand dexterity.

This tutorial series of 10 lessons is the first 10 (Study 1 - Study 10) of Giuliani's 120 Right Hand Studies for Classical Guitar. Giuliani, a 19th century guitar virtuoso created these studies in an effort to systematize guitar playing skills for students. They are for developing right hand dexterity.

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.

"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 solo classical guitar arrangement of Frederic Chopin's 'Grand Waltz' Opus No. 18, No. 1 piano piece.

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

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

In this tutorial you will learn to play an advanced classical exercise using typical right hand classical fingerpicking patterns and harmonizing major and minor scales in across the fretboard.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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

In this tutorial we will learn a Francisco Tarrega (1852-1909) piece for solo classical guitar, 'Capricho Arabe'.

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 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.

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 beautiful Romantic classical solo piece by guitarist-composer Francisco Tarrega (1852-1909) titled 'Recuerdos de la Alhambra'.

Turkish March, or Rondo Alla Turca as it's originally called, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, is a pretty tricky classical piece for the piano that I divided up in two guitar parts - one for the right hand on the piano (lead guitar), and one for the left hand on the piano (rhythm guitar).

Turkish March, or Rondo Alla Turca as it's originally called, by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, is a pretty tricky classical piece for the piano that I divided up in two guitar parts - one for the right hand on the piano (lead guitar), and one for the left hand on the piano (rhythm guitar).

In these six lessons, I will guide you through a small section of The Swan Lake ballet, adapted for guitar. We will play it in the key of Am to make the fingerings easier. First I'll show you the thumb part, then we'll add the melody, and finally we'll put it all together.

Christopher will show you proper, basic maintenance and how to restring an electric guitar, acoustic guitar and classical nylon string guitar. Keep your machine clean and when it's time for a brand new set of strings, then you'll know how to change them!

Christopher will cover some of the basic of tuning nylon strings if they are new & tips about them if you are new to them!