Home Recording for the Classical Guitarist
Classical Guitar Recording
With the constant innovation of digital recording systems, putting together a full-fledged home recording setup has never been easier—or cheaper. Let’s see what options are available to the guitarist who wants to start exploring the wonderful (or terrifying) world of audio recording. All in One Solutions An easy way to get one’s feet wet without […]
Read MoreIn-Depth Interview with Sharon Isbin
Interviews with Classical Guitarists
GuitarTV.com posted a very in-depth interview with Sharon Isbin. Worth a watch!
Read MoreBridging the Memorization/Reading Gap
Musical Interpretation and Musicianship
For much of my performing career, I have been an avid memorizer. My reading skills have always trailed my chops, and as such I’ve always felt eager to memorize a piece of music as quickly as possible, thus freeing myself from the constraints of reading notes from the page. In a way, that has served […]
Read MoreCD Review: Julio Reyes, Heart Strings
Guitar CD Reviews
Classical musicians of all kinds have a tendency to emphasize their pedigree as much as possible, citing illustrious mentors and collaborators as the easiest way to establish their credentials. In the second part of the twentieth century, it seemed as any guitarist hoping to “make it” needed first to secure Segovia’s stamp of approval—a process […]
Read MoreHow often is it that, as musicians, we find ourselves stuck, seemingly unable to move forward, get better, or grow, simply put: we have reached a “plateau”? The truth is that this is a universal occurrence; there is not a single player out there that has not encountered this regardless if they are a guitarist, […]
Read MoreFour Common Sense Ways to Keep Your Nails Safe
Classical Guitar Fingernails
I started playing guitar hoping to impress girls. I ended up talking about my nails with a bunch of middle-aged guys Part fetishism, part necessary evil, and part endless source of embarassment, the fingernails are both a guitarist’s trusted companion and their crux. Although mother nature blessed me with some reasonably strong claws—I often perform […]
Read More2012 UT Dallas Guitar Competition Winners
Classical Guitar News
The 11th Annual Texas Concert Artist Competition (at UT Dallas) was held March 1-3, 2012. The 2012 Competition Winners First Place: Chad Ibison Second Place: Silviu Ciulei Third Place: Mark Edwards Fourth Place: Matthias Lang Watch Winner Chad Ibison Play
Read More2012 Columbus State University Guitar Competition Results
Classical Guitar News
The Columbus State University Guitar Competition & Symposium was held February 25-26, 2012 in Columbus, Georgia. Division I (College/Professional) Competition Winners First Place: Silviu Ciulei Second Place: Joseph Palmer Third Place: Nemanja Ostoich Fourth Place: Celil Refik Kaya Division 2 (High School) Competition Winners First Place: Ying Xu Second Place: Young Jun Lim Third Place: […]
Read MoreThere is a fantastic feature on the emotional and existential challenges of recording classical music in the February 6th issue of The New Yorker (you will need a paid subscription to read it). The author is Jeremy Denk, pianist and über-gifted music writer, who recounts his trials confronting Ives’ Concord Sonata in the recording studio. […]
Read MoreA Visit to Greg Byers’ Workshop
Classical Guitars (Buying, Care, Maintenence)
As you cross from Sonoma into Mendocino County, the landscape goes through an almost instantaneous kind of change. The terrain becomes rougher, the hills more stark, with clusters of Serpentine rocks piercing the ground. The grey sky above and the almost complete lack of traffic were the perfect complement to my morning drive. I was […]
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