Guitar Lesson: Virtuoso Michael Chapdelaine Teaches How to Get Great Tone

In the latest installment of AG's Basics lesson series, Michael Chapdelaine shows you how to get beautiful tone by focusing on picking-hand technique. Read the lesson in the May/June 2020 issue of AG, available here: bit.ly/2J35VkT.

[@tomdonohoue4065]

What a great talent and teacher. RIP Michael

[@rodericksibelius8472]

i am the same age as Michael and I play Classical Guitar for 40 years, Self Taught, and still playing as a hobby today, Michael is gone now, his legacy is as Andres Segovia, Julian Bream, John Williams, Christopher Parkening, Alirio Duaz, R.I.P Maestro.

[@danielrodriguezv]

Mr. Chapdelaine, thank you very much for making this video. I found everything important in this lesson, but I want to thank you especially for being so generous and sharing your experiences about the use of the footstool during years (min 11:14). I know that lots of guitarists have been suffering negative consequences for the use of this device. Therefore, all you shared about it not only adds valuable information, but might even save musical careers. Sound is important, but impossible to achieve and keep for years if there is no spine, no disks, no body, so I truly hope that many students listen to your experience in order to play the classical guitar in the healthiest possible way. Even though you can listen guitarists that have always used the footstool, for me it is like playing the lottery when making a decision whether using it or not, so I agree, this device is a "karmic" one. Thanks a lot!

[@scottconnuck3406]

Hey there, Michael. I was a grad guitar student of Bruce's a couple of years after you left Florida State. Let me tell you... he drove me absolutely crazy by insisting I drop repertoire and concentrate all my efforts on the basics. (He had me doing finger strokes for the entire first semester!) Funny that at the time, I wasn't ready to dissect my playing in that fashion, but after coming back to playing guitar again after a 40 year hiatus, all I want to do is practice technique. I've come to fix many problems now that I just wasn't willing to do as a guitar student. (I can be stubborn like that!) I am perhaps a better player now than I ever was (I know I can play way faster today and with more accuracy.). Funny how life works. You take care and keep up the good fight.

[@funguy4utube]

Been a fan of your playing since waaaaaaay back when ya did the Life Series acoustic covers which I bought and played a thousand times. Your skills are such a gift ... and I know a gift that was honed by decades of intense passion 'n learning and practice.

[@BrettSutherland10]

Michael, thanks for a great lesson. Haven't seen you perform in awhile, and will look forward to the next opportunity. Keep up the great work.

[@antoniobriciomoreno7190]

Probably one of the best interpretation you did...Mallorca by Albéniz. Tks for share.

[@samkirkhammusic]

This is a really great and important lesson, thank you!

[@randolfjones1024]

invaluable lesson thank you for your time

[@manhogful]

Great video - exactly the approach I need to get some tone going!

[@guitarmony333]

Thank you!

[@JoseOchoa-dw9vk]

Pls keep these videos coming. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@AcousticGuitarMag]

Have you watched this one yet: acousticguitar.com/watch-your-back-practicing-healthy-approaches-to-guitar-posture/

[@JoseOchoa-dw9vk]

@@AcousticGuitarMag thanks 🙏🏻. I’ve left the footstool behind a long time ago to prevent back problems. The ergo play is my replacement

[@Thecollagedon]

Hi I’m mike, I just picked up a guitar. Great video. Thanks!

[@birdman4274]

5:34 Slotted Headstock versus iPhone

[@mattbod]

Best advice: play simple stuff well rather than try flash stuff with crappy tone. My teacher says the same.

[@harryw9598]

a decent guitar sure does help ,uncle michael has a few. and talent too