GuitarSkool
Dedicated to Music and the Classical Guitar
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Available for weddings, private parties, and coffee house type venues, and of course private and group lessons. Teachers - contact me for information on my in-school programs. Contact form here.
A Brief Argument for the Study of Music and the Guitar
The study of music, when approached from a position of honesty and respect,
teaches us, among other things - form, structure, logic, discipline,
and an appreciation of order and beauty. It gives us an awareness of
things outside of ourselves and an understanding of things deep within
us.
But most important, it teaches us humility. If you don't believe this, undertake the study of the classical guitar. If it does not humble you, you will probably never be able to unlock the profound beauty and magic of this noble instrument. I feel that it is very important, especially for our young people, to pursue a study of serious music and to learn to perform on an instrument, in particular the classical or nylon stringed guitar. The benefits and rewards will astound you.
Why the Classical Guitar?
The classical, or nylon-stringed guitar, has a rich history going back over 400 years. During that time a well-defined technical system has been developed to guide the student toward mastery of the instrument and a rich library of music has been written.
Musical masters through the ages have written, arranged, or had their music transcribed for the guitar including Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin, Hayden, Mendelssohn, and Scarlatti, just to name a few.
Not only is there a rich library of music for classical guitar but the methods by Sor, Carcassi, Aguado, Guiliani and others are un-challenged for their rich music and splendid exercises for developing technical control.
Benefits
The study of the classical guitar is challenging but the rewards are outstanding. It will test you, for the guitar is a difficult and demanding mistress - but the rewards are without measure. There are no shortcuts and it will allow for no cheating. But when you reach that spot of physical, mental, and spiritual alignment and the music begins to flow effortlessly - well, it's transcendental. Some days I come away from my practice session disappointed and depressed, for things haven't gone as I wanted. But when I reach that "spot" a wave of contentment and relaxation washes over me that is indescribable. I know that it is good for my soul.
Interested?
If you live in the Chester, Rock Hill, Lancaster, or Union areas and want to learn to play the guitar, or if you want to advance in your playing, contact me for more information. Students of all ages and levels are accepted. You will learn proper left and right hand technique, note-reading, chord construction, theory, interpretation and much more. On-line readers contact me for more information about my on-line lessons.
If you have any questions, or wish to learn more, please fill out and submit my secure on-line form.
Resources
Note to new students - you will need the book Classic Guitar Technique, Vol. 1
Intermediate students will need Classic Guitar Technique, Vol. 2,
Both of these books are the best I have found for the study of the Classical Guitar.
For excellent right and left hand development studies, check out Pumping Nylon
For other books on guitar click here.
Links
- Celtic Woman
-
Celtic Woman CD
- Martha Masters
- The Classical Guitar Store
- Ana Vidovic
- Anti-folk
- James Taylor
- Robin Aigner
- Christopher Parkening
- Interview with Aaron Shearer
- History of the Classical Guitar
- Classical Guitar Resources
- Strings by Mail
- Lily Afshar
- Peter, Paul and Mary
- Risa Carlson
- Free Lessons and Exercises
- Dirk's Guitar Pages
- Pandemonium
More Information
Please contact me if you have any questions or would like to find out more.
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Last Updated: March, 2006