GUITAR TIP: Tremolo (Part I)

[@brandonacker]

Learn classical guitar with my online course! 🎸 Classicalguitar-pro.com -Your first pieces -6 hours, 53 HD videos -PDFs, Downloads, and Quizzes -Simulated recital -Access to Brandon's feedback in an exclusive Facebook group

[@stevendunn7928]

Brandon, do you have a course dedicated to tremolo technique? I'd love to have more detail and a structured plan.

[@brandonacker]

@stevendunn7928 hi Steven, I plan to do a tremolo course using recuerdos de la Alhambra. Stay tuned!

[@BlissOn47]

Just wanted to say that I'd never thought I'd ever see a youtube video with so much *premium* feel

[@tonyjaradev]

could easily have been a very expensive dvd. Would buy.

[@mhd_hmouda1055]

You're right, this doesn't feel like a video, it feels like a private lesson

[@bayi_ajaib]

yes, this video is so great i'm subscribing him

[@td.mike00]

You need to explore KZbin more then

[@BlissOn47]

@@td.mike00 please do recommend some videos

[@karu6111]

You smile so much, it made me realize that I should too.

[@putridabomination]

His positivity is contagious! :)

[@wiz7716]

Oh you must watch the maestro Ben Zander interpretation classes ... he urges and emphasizes on engaging and smiling while playing! He got me to start being more conscious about my countenance

[@janetlekoba6890]

You unlock that level of happiness when you can play tremulo

[@michaelsutherland214]

,Kyrgyzstan

[@Gnarmarmilla]

Karl Glenn lol...I was thinking the same...”smiles are contagious...I should smile more...”

[@tbagspecialist8497]

This is extremely helpful. I exercised for 2 hours a day and mastered it in a week, thank you vampire man for this lesson

[@brandonacker]

Well done!

[@razvanv339]

how much measure value did you manage to reach by metronom?

[@periwinkle9025]

@@razvanv339 when do skip the strings take many steps to reach 110, I am not there yet, it is alright?

[@periwinkle9025]

@@brandonacker Dear Teacher: when do skip the strings take many steps to reach 110, I am not there yet, it is alright?

[@empinchen]

@@periwinkle9025 Take your time. You'll get fast by playing precisely, but you won't get precise by playing fast.

[@christianberntsen3856]

I've been playing guitar playing for 16+ years, ranging from metal sweep picking to gypsy jazz. Somehow, playing this makes me feel like I am picking up the guitar for the very first time. I will practice. Thank you for the TIP.

[@ememe1412]

I'm working on my tremolo. I haven't reached 'haunting murmuring' melody yet. I've got as far as 'haunted mumbling' after two months.

[@puppetlord1908]

This guy is like the Bob Ross of guitar playing

[@unavidaespectacular]

haha that's right

[@justint9517]

Hahaha....We will just put a cheeky little staccato in down here hes not bothering anyone hes just doing his thing.....dont mind him hes ok

[@GourmetNinj4]

Lol everyone says that about Paul Davids

[@slalialley3786]

I thought the very same thing.

He is ❤ thank you so much, Brandon!

[@kenkingsflyingmachines2382]

This video is suspiciously like a real guitar lesson.

[@Kalumbatsch]

um, because it is a real guitar lesson?

[@cathy921ontheradio]

@@Kalumbatsch sarcasm

[@subarnarekha2122]

@@Kalumbatsch r/whoooosh

[@tulabardier3885]

Hablas mucho !!

[@Snackaboy]

@@subarnarekha2122 wow, finally somebody who can spell woooosh, congrats

[@READERSENPAII]

fun fact. Brandon Acker, Sarah Longfield and I all went to the same highschool. Brandon was a grade above me and Sarah was the grade below me. I played guitar but never took it serious. Now its ten years later I'm playing a lot of catch up. So awesome to see so many talented people come out of my school.

[@seniorrpenske]

@@reese.everett.epicgaming Jerkface.

[@seniorrpenske]

In Wisconsin?

[@adamgooch226]

@@reese.everett.epicgaming Wake up on the wrong side of the bed? Lighten up, Dankus

[@seniorrpenske]

@@reese.everett.epicgaming I'm curious what school it is. I come from Wisconsin too. Brandon wasn't trying to change your life -- just sharing something he felt was interesting. I found it interesting too. Why does that bother you?

[@seniorrpenske]

@@reese.everett.epicgaming Yeezy taught me.

[@halukonal1400]

This channel is criminally underrated

[@davidgpeterson]

I dont even play guitar. I just watch these videos to relax. It’s damn near an ASMR channel. That being said - mad respect for the ability shown. It’s amazing to watch a true master work.

[@berserkgarage4218]

It's crazy how you put out this content for free, the quality is unavailable. Thanks alot.

[@putridabomination]

He's one of the few who actually teaches in a way that I can understand. The rest just plug their Patreon and guitar lessons sites.

[@tommylight1312]

@@putridabomination yeah and incoherently name a barrage of frets and tabs verbally rather than just visually displaying them. And then while your brain is trying to process what they just said, they just start noodling and showing off their "epic skillz"

[@jt5029]

i legit thought my mans was about to label his P-I-M-P hand

[@mypfpisbetterthanyours5177]

Goddamn son you won the pimpternet today!!!

[@alanloyd7164]

i read this comment right as he was spelling it out LOL

[@uesgaroe8998]

@@mypfpisbetterthanyours5177 one must have over 1k likes to win the internet through a comment

[@legentilmuyombo4533]

I don't know why Brandon always sounds like a reliable source to learn new things

[@shawnkay5462]

yeah he is definitely legit, im thankful to Rob Scallon for introducing us to him. His channel has grown ever since.

[@alexfroggatt5987]

I have watched so many music lessons on KZbin, for numerous instruments. This is the best I've ever seen, by a considerable margin. A genuinely superb lesson. Thank you so much!

[@brandonacker]

Thanks, Alex!

[@johnormsby2034]

@@brandonacker I have to agree with Alex, your lesson is the best by a country mile. Thanks Brandon, following from New Zealand.

[@LucaAnamaria]

Hands down: best tremolo tutorial on the internet. 🎯

[@bhsr_]

Thanks for condensing part of your 400 years of guitar mastery into an 11 minute video tutorial! it will really help when i get enough money to buy a guitar

[@remirrat]

This video is the best among guitar tutorials i've ever seen on youtube, and your personality and smile and the way you speak add so much to this lesson! Thank you so much, i already want to share this with everyone I know. 😊

[@arcadedomination8006]

"Like this." *Annihilates guitar strings*

[@R3dCol0r]

He basically went from level 6 to level 50 . lol

[@dumbleking5172]

Like this... Heavy caliber tripod turret made by me...

[@martsiss]

As a guitar student, your exercises and tips were really helpful and my professor was shocked. I have seen your videos before and my professor said I had made progress in a short period. She gave me a tremolo piece and I only played guitar for 2 years and a half. Thank you, Brandon!

[@unavidaespectacular]

I play guitar just good enough for a party with friends, but my goal is to be able to play this piece in a really decent way, time to practice a lot, :D

[@brandonacker]

Good luck! You could also consider lessons at my new online music school to get you there faster: Arpeggiato.com

[@valkorion7042]

@@brandonacker I also shared this man's goal and I actually have been considering your lessons online! I play rock and jazz, and I really love classical but I always kinda give up on learning the pieces after like a day or two because I feel like I am not learning anything, I am just forgetting.

[@ericknavarro2985]

how is it going now?

[@wilsonatxr]

Ya te sale o q

[@AreEnTee]

TELL US THE PROGRESS

[@chillstringszoso4966]

I think this is as wholesome as a tutorial video ever gets.

[@crafalgar9719]

The lighting on this tutorial was incredible, warm and dark but also clear enough to see what Brandon is doing. I know that's not the most important part of a music video, but I think this type of lighting really helps you pass the content.

[@Cssisabeautifulthang]

How tf can he talk while doing that

[@kahlilpawlicki9841]

Practice, lol. I'm sure he could do it in his sleep.

[@dpet7756]

Practice is a powerful thing

[@DanielPodlovics]

That's how you know you're locked in.

[@astro_1859]

Some people also sing

[@ndjjimmy546]

😂😂

[@Smilies-hb3mr]

Playing acoustic for 40 years and trying out this technic makes me a super beginner again. Man, this is as not easy as you make it look like. But sounds so cool.

[@sheetal351]

Best tremolo tutorial I have ever seen.

[@angrybird32495]

“And it creates the most beautiful, haunting, murmuring melody” Sounded like a description of atmospheric black metal for a minute there.

[@immanuelgulardi9114]

Wait. .....what ? Lol

[@paulysguitarjournal]

I would add: practice these exercises on the B string (instead of the E). You can get away with a lot more movement on the E and the B string will force you to be more controlled.

[@joaquinodriozola4963]

Totally

[@eduardobenassi3072]

Indeed

[@carlosflorentino8874]

Been practicing a tremolo piece and it's all good till it gets to that damned B string

[@brahim119]

@@carlosflorentino8874 You are supposed to start on the B string (5th fret) from day one. In the beginning do not let the imperfection frustrate you, you will get better and better with hours and hours of practice. Trust me it will get better and better if you are patient.

[@brahim119]

*@Paul Horn.* Absolutely.

[@Marinerpro]

You have a very kind manner in your way of teaching. As an older gentleman, now, I’m trying to learn just a fraction of these techniques. I played classical violin in my younger days with the Philharmonic but I no longer manage the violin. I look forward to the exercises in this lesson and I believe that you will be very successful in your career. Grateful to have made your acquaintance online. You have a wealth of talent.

[@mootal2812]

The only tremolo video that mention planting/muting properly ❤

[@i_dream_of_memes]

for someone who’s self-taught and always trying to play songs that are out of reach, THANK YOU!! I’m realizing many years down the road how much I’ve missed by not seeking out teachers, and videos like this are helping me fill in some of the blanks ❤

[@CoopLoops951]

I agree I'm all all self taught and these vids are amazing

[@banjo1434]

I'm a steel string player leaning towards country/folk/bluegrass, but i get a lot from Brandon's videos. I have followed his "warming up" video routine every day since seeing it a few months back and highly recommend it for all guitar players of any type. I Shall do the same with this one. Great teacher with much to teach all guitarists regardless of style.

[@zsebestien7050]

This guy is definitely a vampire. Long nails, crazy veins, pale skin, gorgeous looks. No wonder he's so fuckin good at classical guitar, he probably invented it lmao.

[@stoldt51]

Like brad pitt and tom cruise had a man baby in interview the the Vampire.his skills seem impossible to achieve in only one lifetime.

[@Ibra-BB]

Lol this funny af

[@marshallemmet1366]

You need long nails to play classical guitar, so it only makes sense that a vampire would be the best at it.

[@thederpifiknorhino]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@drganja3917]

And here I am watching this tutorial 3 hours after cutting my nails

[@jesseroel8362]

He always looks like he sees something stuck on my teeth but won't tell me

[@zealdid202]

Vamp

[@jorixonian]

I don't know I've ever seen a comment so ridiculous yet accurate on this entire site.

[@kunai1362]

@@jorixonian lmao perfect response

[@AlexC-bs1qe]

I can no longer watch Brandon’s videos with a straight face after reading this comment.

[@a7med228]

Thats funny bro 😆

[@mrnanamuthoin6382]

Bismillaahirrahmaanirrahiim..... By God.... Thanks brother.... You are the most inspiring finger style teacher..... Warm regards from Indonesia....

[@humanactivated1017]

Best beginning tremolo video instruction I’ve come across thnx

[@cptn_n_cola]

I am blown away by this clarity. I learned so much from this. The inclusion of common mistakes in every demonstration puts a teacher so far above someone simply telling me what to do. Talking and teaching clearly, while playing clearly with discipline. Great video great talent. Not a vampire, much wiser, much older, this soul.

[@jnayanshman]

There's a sense of calmness in your lessons/videos and the way you teach.

[@mercury8023]

I wish you were my guitar teacher. You're so chill and exceptional. I just stumbled upon this and now everything I've learned thus far feels insignificant. 😅 I need a teacher haha.

[@errosresolvidos]

In just a short time, I started to play in that beautiful mode. You're an excellent teacher. God bless you!

[@atakanekiz]

Holy moly! The effortlessness!

[@magpiewarbler2021]

I can only play piano and know nothing about guitar, but this video is so well explained that it gives me a delusion that I've learned a new skill already!

[@paulmuwadeeb2161]

I love this man! The calming, warm and positive energy comes straight through my computer screen - thank you, Brandon. You are a true inspiration. Not to mention a bloody good human and an even better guitar player. 😀

[@thenarrowpathoftruth9443]

You have such a calm demeanor. It actually makes ME feel calm!

[@TheeRebel]

you are an amazing teacher.

[@phileandro]

I'm never tired to see this show again and again! Brandon is magical and hypnotic.

[@elnuevoinglesbasiconib2764]

How can this young man be such a good seasoned teacher!!! Awesome

[@SebastianAlvarezz]

The most beautiful tutorial for beginners

[@nezuko3175]

You are the most handsome, calming and the happiest teacher ive ever seen on youtube, im a simp for u

[@metalichasan]

Only years of efforts and countless time of concentration can sound this good.

[@tristenwilliams1943]

Your love for music and the wonderful energy you carry in all your videos really inspires me and many others I’m sure. Thank you so much for what you do!!!

[@mridontlikethat]

i feel like having even fingernails at the right length is very important for clean tremolo

[@alelaera13]

to me it is. I've tried different shapes and lenghts for my nails and I noticed it is way easier to do it depending on them

[@hoangphanvu9022]

IT IS. I used to tremolo without nails, and not only it sounded like sh*t, but also required A LOT of stamina to pluck the strings

[@JumpingJimmyJet]

My nails break really easily. So I have silk / acrylic nails and it really helps. I have both hands done, so they look equally as nice... I use a "Cuccio", "Venetian Valentine" nail polish coating (from Amazone), then the next day I add a Matt finish, then buff up a bit. They look totally natural...

[@daphnemichelejoyce427]

Oooohh yes, I experimented with fake nails for a few months, and after taking them off it took a month and a half for my nails to recover enough for tremolo

[@KrizaIid117]

Funny story: I tried learning tremolo and it sounded like shit for a long time until I fixed my nails and now it still sounds like shit... but like... a beautiful shit...

[@danikaiser6508]

I’m sure this has been said: You are the Bob Ross of Classical guitar. I’m excited to learn tremolo. Thanks so much for these wonderful videos!

[@JoeV03]

I came across your channel a few months ago. I've been playing for years and am a typical "camp fire" guitarist that has been basically stuck at that level. Most great guitar playing youtubers make me want to give up but you actually inspire me. Thank you!!!

[@jasonminer1035]

Great lesson! You must be the most positive and humble person on the internet. Well done! Keep smiling. I practiced and feel like I am half way there. Thank you.

[@evandromanara]

Perfect. Clear, objective, very well produced with lots of fun and joy. Thanks for your valuable contribution. Subscribed!

[@christoffernerheimwith1692]

This guy is so eloquent. Excellent teacher. Almost like if Guthrie was a classical guitar instructor

[@Jad.Khoury]

I love you videos, I have been playing the guitar for 25 years now and your videos are quite nice and well informed, rich and easy to grasp…

[@elvirafragoso3618]

This piece makes me proud of being Spanish. Probably this feeling is the only one that I allow myself in world that I dream without borders.

[@carlossantamaria4378]

I used to play the guitar a bit when younger, I'm 65 and I just purchased a classical guitar and I'm fascinated with the instrument. Never too late to start. Having lots of fun learning. Thank you for sharing.

[@kooooons]

This is amazing, I was experimentig a bit to learn tremolo yesterday. Today I watched this video I saw a feww days back and within the 10 Minutes of playing along (sometimes repeating a section) to these exercises, I can do a tremolo! It's still a bit rough of course but it got so much cleaner, faster and more controlled and most importantly it doesnt feel as awkward anymore.

[@pldarrozal]

The quality is on par to those what they are selling in Master Class lessons.

[@AK-pq3cw]

This is pure gold. I will get good at this technique.

[@Profy00]

he's so happy he can do this... I think he got it overnight like a superpower and is just in awe of himslef

[@boynaosingh4325]

Thank you. You are a good teacher.

[@msuzerris]

That was a wonderful tutorial. I love it when you do the demo and I'm already shaking my head knowing that's not happening, but then finding out it actually could with just a little bit of practice. Thank you for that little morsel!

[@ZenusEe]

You made me feel in love with classic guitar😍 so and talented

[@Marco-ys5nb]

1:22 I was looking for a tutorial, not to cry

[@Oatmeal_Mann]

Magnificent, no?

[@elijahmeacham4454]

Indeef

[@DanielMartinez-xv4eu]

Wow! I just should say: THANK YOU!! What you're teaching us is with the same quality of a private class.. i have not doubt about taking a private class with you.

[@rabihrabouh3167]

Always positive thanks for your inspiration melodies!

[@berkenocak3354]

I like Brandon's teaching so much that I am watching him again even though I have an exam tomorrow. ❤️👌💕👍

[@dika087638]

wow! the way u teach for this tremolo technique is so awesome, u are one of the best tutor of classical music instrument, altough this technique was so difficult, but i will still try to learn it. thank u sir😊

[@lazy010011]

Mystery solved in 11 minutes... This man is a treasure.

[@MegaChang9]

He is one of the best teachers. There are so many outstanding guitarists out there, but not many good teachers. to know is one thing to teach is another.

[@jollegrat6590]

oh my god. hes very calm guitar teacher.

[@twenty7books]

Thank you Dude ! For being so patient & generous with your time !

[@jerryyslas6674]

What a wonderful experience; you're an excellent teacher! Thank you so so much!!!

[@DonostiGros]

Excellent approach. Brandon, would you do a tutorial on nails perhaps? How do you look after yours, what do you use? I know it's a personal thing and we all have different things that work for our specific nail types. It would be much appreciated. Thank you.

[@nextlifeonearth]

I used to play guitar, but couldn't get rid of my nail biting habit. My teacher told me I couldn't play like that (though I did mostly fine in volume and precision, even with tremolo) Now I play lute, which was historically played with the finger tips, not the nails. Who's laughing now HAHA.

[@vladimirgaucan8832]

@@nextlifeonearth there is no way in heaven you could do tremolo without nails. You would have no volume and only the bass melody would be heard as the P finger is the strongest plucker.

[@ledzeprulz]

I was going to ask about this also! Such a massive aspect of classical guitar that can be easily overlooked

[@costa5140]

That's a false notion. I have been playing with no nails for some time now, after many years of playing with nails, and my tremolo is better than it ever was before; no more clickety-clack of nails against the strings. Volume is not a problem either; if anything I'm able to push the strings more without having to worry about getting a nasty, scratchy sound at top-volume. The idea that you loose volume without nails is another false notion. You get more higher partials present when you play with nails - hence the twangier tone - which makes it easier to project and stick out in chamber-ensambles. This is why a lot of baroque theorbo players who worked in operatic settings would use their nails, while most historical players seems to have favoured the no-nails approach for solo literature.

[@anshb4154]

Yes!! I was about to comment this

[@fernandofernandez5719]

This guy is just amazing I will definitely support

[@jorgepizarro5924]

I always loved classical music and classical guitarr. I owned a guitar, gifted by my ex-wife and I never actually learnt to play anything. I sold it to a close friend and I thought it was the end of my wannabe history of guitar playing. A couple of weeks ago, my father (75 yo) gave me his guitar and I felt obligated to learn how to play and I always was intrigued by this technique. I truly thank you Brandon for putting this together... I´ll be practicing until I master this even if this is the only thing I can play correctly. Kudos and thank you man.

[@IAmWashbear]

This man just makes me want to smile

[@lyrad24]

Wow! Thank you for this!! This is like something I buried to learn about 18 years ago. Actually went to advance, in a way with lead solo playing on the electric. I restrung my acoustic and timely have been enjoying all the video recommendations from your channel.

[@greatdavid8790]

I am so thankful to the universe that Brandon exists

[@tecks2324]

best teacher ever

[@shayanyadegari811]

I'm so glad that I know a Guitarist like you. You teach perfect and with lots of details. I watch part 1 now I'm practicing every day.

[@alfredoalequin]

What a nice and well explained lesson! Just awesome. Thank you for sharing your blessed talent.

[@SchrelloClassic]

1:07 - 1:22 Your words cut deep, deeper than any blade” -Zabuza Momochi

[@awaishssn]

Wow now it can't be unheard. Sadness and Sorrow is pretty close by.

[@MariusBFjeld]

I've been a tremolo picker (think death metal) my whole guitarist life and never really bothered to learn proper fingerstyle, but after trying this I was able to play around with some chord progressions and make them sound completely dreamy compared to usually. Thank you Brandon!

[@user-qm7nw7vd5s]

I must have watched this video 20 times, and I still get something out of it each time. Finally, looks like I’ve got it! Muscle memory taking over…

[@jblnlknkmvvjhfhchfv4245]

You're concisely showing me what I always wanted to do on guitar. I had a hard time understanding what exactly I wanted or where to start. Your video is so perfectly accessible and really inspired me to play every day. Thank you

[@zahykhoury]

Thank you Sir Brandon for fulfilling our tremolo study request! Looking forward for Part II! :^D

[@bogdanmusic5726]

3:26 Exercice #1: PLANTING 4:34 Exercise #2: STACCATO/LEGATO (60 BPM) 5:25 Exercise #3: ACCENTS (80 BPM) 7:02 Exercise #4: THUMB SKIPPING (110 BPM) 9:20 Malagueña (the Spanish melody) This comment is for me. I will come tomorrow to repeat tremolo

[@The_gravityman]

How did it go

[@The_gravityman]

How did it go

[@bogdanmusic5726]

um?

[@neilcruz58]

While watching "Recuerdos de la Alhambra" posted by Brandon: Me: I want to learn that technique... Brandon: Yup, I hear you peasant.

[@hotshot17225]

Thanks for making me laugh out loud, good man :D

[@neilcruz58]

@@Guitarz_boi agreeee!

[@benjur16]

Yup. Pretty much. haha

[@muzakaldreamsquotes1633]

Awesome videos to learn from and I've been playing for years

[@igashijin]

This is an awesome lesson. Thank you, Brandon. I've been a self taught guitarist now for about 20 years, and in my infinite fumblings, I've learned a lot of these little techniques the "wrong way" so to speak. What I'm finding getting some good advice from guitarists like you, is that I have effectively drilled a lot of these motions into myself very very well by ruling out almost everything that doesn't work to compensate for proper technique. I really found this instructional video helpful. Your posting of tabs along with your illustration, calm manner, and good use of brevity to concisely describe the key points of these has been crucial to my maturation as a guitarist this past month. As the video started, I was thinking "No way." at 8 minutes in, I was shredding so hard I had to stop the video and spend an hour feeling awesome. Please keep up the excellent work. I'll hold onto this lesson for the rest of my life. No joke. It gave me all the key pieces of advice that 20 years out there has failed to provide in acquiring a reliable, even tremolo.

[@davidnors5210]

So glad i found this video. Officially subscribed. You were very helpful sir. Thank you so much for this content.

[@hamzak2181]

This guy smiles like he just told you a double meaning dirty joke and he is waiting for you to get it. Great lesson though 👍👌

[@shiroumxm2052]

yeah , we call that "albur" in méxico

[@nikolaresanovic8335]

Just bought classical guitar and wanted to learn this neat trick. Safe to say that this is the best video that I've found explaining this technique and next to that Brandon teaches a nice tune to learn. I've always found it boring to just practice playing without actually playing something. I've been following Ben Eller for electric guitar tutorials and he does the same thing, makes exercise fun and interesting. Great job Brandon, I'll surely be combing through your guitar tip videos! Much love from Serbia! ❤️

[@OshriBenSimon]

You are 100% pure perfection. Thank you.  

[@lindaphelp2832]

Great video. Great teaching technique. Thank you, thank you very much, Brandon. Million people in the world who love classical guitar technique appreciate your videos, so keep going on with what you're doing.