Julian Bream plays Richard Rodney Bennett
Monday Motivation
Whenever I listen to (or play) Richard Rodney Bennett’s music for guitar, I’m always impressed by the range. Bennett was not afraid to demand a lot of the performer in terms of both dynamic and musical range. Here is Julian Bream playing the second movement from Richard Rodney Bennett’s Sonata for guitar. Bennett is an […]
Read MoreMy Three Favorite Places to Get Free Guitar Sheet Music
Free Sheet Music Sources
Guitarists are cheap: we try to avoid spending money on things where ever possible. Except for that new guitar, of course. So when it comes to sheet music, we try to find the free options first. Sometimes this means finding a facsimile or getting someone’s arrangement. Either way, if the piece you’re looking for is […]
Read More2011 Appalachian GuitarFest Competition Winners
Classical Guitar News
The Appalachian GuitarFest Solo Guitar Competition was held at Appalachian State University April 1-3, 2011. The competitors’ programs were all free choice. 15 people advanced to the semi-finals, and four competitors went to the finals. The Competition Winners 1st Place: Christopher Adkins 2nd Place: Colin Fullerton 3rd Place: Jesse Freedman 4th prize: Genevieve Leitner Photo […]
Read MoreThe Best Fingernail Tool You’ve Never Heard Of
Classical Guitar Fingernails
Please note: these are out of stock for the foreseeable future. A should work. About two months ago, I received a mysterious envelope in the mail. It was from a friend — I recognized the return address label — and inside were four multi-colored, 2″ x 2″ pads. I had no idea what they were. […]
Read MoreHow to Use Google Alerts to Keep Up with Your Local Guitar Community
Music Business Tips
One of the biggest problems with the guitar community is a lack of marketing. Sure we have our various online communities and forums and blog, but it’s hard for a nation or international community to tell you about local concerts. You could head to your local news sites and search for “Classical Guitar” every day, […]
Read More2011 Indiana Guitar Competition Winners
Classical Guitar News
The 2011 Indiana Guitar Competition was held March 26 and 27, 2011. The competition had two divisions: an open division (for ages 17-35) and a youth division (for ages 11-17). Open Division Winners First Prize: You Wang (China) Second Prize: Lars Rosvoll (Norway) Honorable Mention: Ivan Resendiz (Mexico) Youth Division Winners First Prize: Xavier Jara […]
Read MoreThe Tremolo Standards
Classical Guitar Repertoire
Tremolo gets a lot of focus in the various classical guitar forums and online communities. Tremolo is really one of the ultimate tests of a guitarists arpeggio technique. Just sustaining an even, balanced tremolo is hard, but making it musical? Another level of difficulty. There are a few standard tremolo pieces most guitarists play. Here […]
Read MoreClassical Guitar Blog Roundup [Links – 3/27/2011]
Guitar Related Links
Bradford Werner points out that having musical friends is just as important as practicing. I agree. Most college guitar programs make use of the first benefit of having musical friends: a low-stress environment where people can perform for each other. Having a regular performance opportunity will make you a better player. There are quite a […]
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