Edition: Paperback Book, Guitar

Description: 96 Pages

A guide for intermediate and advanced classical guitarists, addressing technical and musical issues. Any serious student of classical guitar will appreciate this book which covers topics often heard in a lesson, but seldom covered in a book, with appropriate repertoire provided. Topics covered include technical control, study habits, crafting interpretations, tone production, performance anxiety, and much more.

Students and teachers alike will appreciate the varied repertoire selections, as well as the annotated repertoire list included for further study. Includes thoughtful discussion of each topic and careful choice of repertoire to allow guitarists to overcome obstacles and reach the next level in their playing.

Highlights:

--A guide for intermediate and advanced classical guitarists, addressing technical and musical issues.
--Topics covered include technical control, study habits, crafting interpretations, tone production, performance anxiety, and much more.
--Students and teachers alike will appreciate the varied repertoire selections, as well as the annotated repertoire list included for further study.
--Thoughtful discussion of each topic and careful choice of repertoire allow guitarists to overcome obstacles and reach the next level in their playing.

Intermediate to Advanced levels.

Acknowledgments
Introduction: Why We All Need This Book
Revisiting the Basics with a New Sense of Purpose

Developing Critical Listening Skills

Develop Your Concentration
Have a Thorough Understanding of the Material
Listen at a Pace That Allows You to Hear the Details
Keep an Open Mind
Be Detail Oriented
Listen Critically to Others
Listen Critically to Yourself

The Basics of Good Technique

Sitting Position
Right-Hand Technique
Left-Hand Technique

Learning New Repertoire with Good Study Habits

Gain a General Understanding of the Piece
Divide and Conquer
Getting It Performance Ready
Spot Practicing
Keep the Quality of Learning at a High Level

Gaining Control of Your Technique

Relax
Have a Clear Goal in Your Technical Exercises
Do What Works for You
Etruscan Prelude No. 1, by Reginald Smith Brindle
Sueño, by José Viñas

Fundamentals of Strong Playing at Any Level

Playing with a Consistent, Beautiful Tone

Great Nails
Consistent Hand Position
Follow Through
Allegro moderato, from Five Vignettes, by Atanas Ourkouzounov

Controlling Tempo

Don't Use Rubato as an Excuse
Pulse or Death (of the Performance)
Allegro, from Partita No. IV, by Giuseppe Antonio Brescianello
Recuerdo triste, by José Brocá

Playing Truly Legato

Test the Right Hand
Test the Left Hand
Cantabile, from Cinq etudes faciles, ou presque, by Simone Iannarelli
Etude No. 7, by Napoléon Coste

Expanding Your Interpretive Skills

Determining Phrases and Breathing

Sing It
Overt Breathing
Introduction and Andante, by José Viñas
Meditando, from Preludios Poéticos, by Jaime Zenamon

Crafting Your Interpretation: Dynamics & Colors

Mythical Magical Moment Interpretations
Start Interpreting Early
Study the Game
Know the Score, Discover the Music
Improvise Interpretations
Have No Fear
Prelude No. 5, by Francisco Tárrega

Making Informed Fingering Choices

What Factors Can Motivate Fingering Choices?
What Motivates Your Fingering Choices?

String Damping

Accidental Dissonance
Cross String Interference
Melodic Lines versus Arpeggios
Sympathetic Vibrations
Bolero, by Julián Arcas

Articulations

Experiment with Ideas
Create a Plan
Cure Accidental Accents
Capriccio, from Partita No. X, by Giuseppe Antonio Brescianello

Vibrato

Use Vibrato Deliberately and Consistently
Practice Vibrato as a Technique
Berceuse, by Napoléon Coste

Discovering the Soul of the Piece

Listen to the Great Interpreters
Know Your History
Don't Let Your Knowledge Clog Your Process
Merengue, by Frantz Casséus
Valseana, by Sergio Assad

Tying It All Together

Improving Your Sight-Reading

Know Where the Notes Are
Pre-Read
Play Slowly
Get the Main Idea
Read Ahead

Coping with Performance Anxiety

Physical Effects of Anxiety
Mental Effects of Anxiety
Be Prepared
Be Positive
Keep Performing

What It Takes To Succeed â and What Is Success?

What Is Your Definition of Success?
If You Want to be a Professionalâ
They Have to Know You to Hire You
Don't Wait for the Phone to Ring
Compete to be Heard

Reaching the Next Level

Selected Annotated Bibliography

Medium Level Difficulty Repertoire
Technique Books
Music for Sight Reading
Books on Various Musical Subjects

About the Author