Beginner Method for Classical Guitar Vol. 2

Hello, my name is Andrew Leonard. Welcome and thank you for picking up this course. I'm excited to guide you on this classical guitar adventure.

Before we begin, I want to give you a brief overview of the course and discuss the differences between this course, Volume 2 of my Classical Guitar Method for TrueFire and Volume 1.

First, I want to mention that you do not need to own Volume 1, to take this course. Below I'll share some details. If you do already own Volume 1, welcome back! It is great to have the opportunity to continue assisting you as you develop your classical guitar skills.

Volume 2 assumes that you are familiar with the skills contained in Volume 1. From time to time I will refer to some of the concepts in Volume 1. If you don't own Volume 1, this will make you aware of what it covered. This will help you decide if you do or do not need it - before you consider buying it.

Volume 2 covers 4 Concepts with associated music to play:

1. Scales: Volume 2 adds Free Stroke scales to Rest Stroke technique learned in Volume 1.
   
   You will use Free Stroke scales to play an excerpt from "Moto Perpetuo" by the legendary violinist from the Romantic Period, Nicoló Paganini (1782-1840). It is fun way to practice your scale technique. I should mention that on a violin this piece is played at a very quick tempo. Again, we are using this to slowly and correctly develop technique.
2. Right Hand Arpeggio Technique: You'll learn how to position the right hand to play simultaneous notes using the Thumb and a Finger. This will allow you to play classical guitar fingerpicking patterns that create three parts: melody, accompaniment and bass.
   
   Once you learn this technique, you'll apply it to play the well-known "Waltz in E minor" by Ferdinando Carulli (1770-1841).
3. Left Hand Barre Chord Technique: Most students are familiar with only one kind of barre, the full 6 string version. When using the full barre, the first finger of the left hand covers from four strings to all six. When used incorrectly it creates a lot of unnecessary pressure on the neck of the guitar and tension in the left hand thumb and wrist.
   
   I'll teach you to avoid the above issue by using three different kinds of barres with simple exercises to develop them. They allow you to use much less pressure on the neck. Two of these are called "hinge" barres. Knowing when to use a hinge barre instead of always choosing the full barre, can greatly reduce left hand tension on the neck.
4. A concert piece: Fernando Sor's stunningly beautiful "Study in B Minor, Op. 35 #22." The course concludes by putting everything together to learn to play this miniature masterpiece.

By the end of this course you will have learned pieces and techniques to develop your ability to the "late beginner" or "early advanced level."

There are two general classical guitar playing concepts that are important for us to address before you start this course - or any classical guitar course. They are: Classical Guitar Seating Position (posture and alignment) and Right Hand Fingernails.

This video covers classical guitar seating position. The next covers fingernails. I realize you may already have your own approach to both concepts. I suggest you watch both videos once and remember that they are resources you can refer to at any time.

As you watch this lesson there are a few things to keep in mind:

There are many devices available to lift the guitar into the proper classical guitar seating position, instead of using the traditional footstool to lift the leg. If you need some guidance, contact me through my website (andrew-leonard.com) with any questions. Let me know what device you are considering, and I will share what I know about the device or something similar. Be patient - it may take a little while to reply.

Of course, there are many very good classical guitarists who use footstools.

In this video, I am using the Murata Guitar Rest. I also went to a hardware store and bought an additional rod to increase the height. The rod included with the Murata Guitar Rest is a standard size width. I did have to cut the rod to the right height for me and then file it to create smooth edges to fit into the Guitar Rest. You may find this "home repair" project of cutting and filing to be time consuming - be forewarned. Again, there are other options available.

Right Hand Fingernail Shaping & Filing:

There are two important parts of right hand classical guitar technique to consider when filing or shaping your fingernails. They are the contact & release points.

While classical guitarists all have individual ways of filing their nails based on personal preference, these two factors are constant. You have to contact the string with the finger and let go of the string with the finger. This lesson takes you through, in great detail, how to file your nails and adhere to these two general concepts. Again, you may already have your own approach to nail shaping.

Note: I use Free Stroke position when shaping my nails - if you're not familiar with this concept, the 3 Step Set Up lesson a little later in the course will explain the proper way to position the Right Hand for classical guitar playing and filing.

No fingernails??? No Problem!
What if you don't want to use right hand fingernails or you want to use them but do not know how to get started? No problem! Just focus on the "contact point" - it does not involve the fingernail. Before the fingernail is used, the flesh of the fingertip makes contact with the string.

Before growing fingernails, I advise my private students to learn to consistently place the finger on the contact point and get a good sound. Once you can do this, then you are ready to grow and use fingernails.

In this set of videos, we are going to be covering the basics of Right Hand Free Stroke technique. Once we learn the basics of this essential classical guitar technique, we can apply it to scale playing.

First, placement of the Right Hand to play Free Strokes is discussed. Then we will add another concept: how to position your right hand fingers to take advantage of the natural reflexes of the fingers when alternating them.

After learning to alternate your fingers on one string, it is time to use more than one string. We review the concept of string crossing from Volume 1 of the Classical Guitar Method.

After putting all the elements of Right Hand Free stroke playing together, it is time to add the left hand by playing one octave Major Scales.

Let's get started!

To position the Right Hand properly to play classical guitar free strokes, I have developed a 3 Step Set Up. Whether your fingers are playing notes on several strings (as in an arpeggio) or on a single string (as in scales) the same 3 Step Set Up is used.

Also, this 3 Step Set Up is used for Rest Strokes with one difference. This difference will be explained in a later video.

We are only using open strings (no left hand playing) to allow full focus on the Right Hand classical guitar technique.

During this video, you will place your:

• Right Hand Thumb (P) on string 4
• Index Finger (I) on string 3
• Middle Finger (M) on the second string
• Ring Finger (A) on the first string.

The 3 Steps are briefly listed below, the video discusses the details of each step.

• Step 1: Thumb out in front of fingers.
• Step 2: Knuckles of Fingers over Strings being played. Note: this will be different for Rest Strokes discussed in a later video.
• Step 3: Fingers curved and on contact points.

Now that you have learned the 3 Step Set Up, for right hand classical guitar free strokes, it is time to start playing notes on a single string. Ultimately, this will lead to playing scales.

A very important concept is also discussed: the natural reflexes of the fingers that occur when with hand fingers are alternating. Once understood, you can learn to position your hand to take advantage of them. I call this concept the "Inside the Hand Finger."

I should mention that this is a concept and terminology I have come up with. If you are discussing with this idea with another classic guitarist who is not familiar with my teaching, they may not know what you are talking about. You will have a great opportunity to become the teacher!