Lesson: Late-Beginner Technique Routine for Classical Guitar (2 of 6 Part Series)

[@MAZiese]

Bradford, I enjoy watching your KZbin channel. When I was first learning back in the 70s I learned using the Arron Shearer method at the Peabody Inst. Your method is very similar to that, which I find is very helpful in the steps needed for the student. I had a situation years ago that almost took away my ability to play. I ended up with severe nerve and muscle damage to my left fretting hand and arm. I lost complete feel (touch) sensation in my left hand and fingers. Whenever I tried doing tasks that demanded minute manipulation of my left hand, the thumb, index, middle and ring fingers would spasm and seize up in a painful grip. Back in late 2019 I noticed the sensation of feel coming back to these finger, so I plucked my Burguet out of it's case; it had been resting in if for almost 20 years; and rummaged through my closet to dig out the Shearer Method books. You see in those 20 so years I had even forgotten how to read sheet music. The Shearer books helped, but I wanted to see what might be out there to augment them and I came across you KZbin Channel and your Method books. It was like rummaging through your attic and finding a Gauguin your mother had bought in a garage sale years back. I now use your method and Shearer's to help me relearn all that was forgotten. I find your right hand and left hand techniques very helpful in bringing back muscle memory. Barres are still a challenge especially the 6 sting ones and it maybe hard to fully relax my left arm and hand muscles, but the repetition does help. Some here have asked when you know you are ready to advance to the next level. All I can say is, if you can play a study piece, as simple as it may be, or an estudio at least 5 times at tempo and without mistakes, you are ready for the next page.

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Glad you found your way back to music and the guitar. Happy practicing!

[@t23355]

Thank you Bradford

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

My pleasure!

[@douglastabor4237]

Bradford, thanks. This is where I am. I have your book. This makes a ton of sense. Do you have a specific video on what a "slur" is and how to perform it?

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Try out this lesson: www.thisisclassicalguitar.com/lesson-slurs-for-classical-guitar/

[@jimmy2035]

Hi, could you mention what are the advancing factors that would permit someone to progress from beginner to late beginner? When does a student know when to move on or to continue practice on the beginner level. And with the opportunity could you one day make a video on the important vocabulary of Classical Guitar and a brief why. Thank you so much for educational videos.

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

That's a good question, but complicated to answer. You need to feel very confident with each exercise before moving on to the next routine. So playing at a reasonable speed without many mistakes. Also, it depends on you repertoire level. For my Method Book Vol.1 I'd use the Beginner Routine. For my Method Vol.2 I'd use my Late-Beginner Routine. The Early Intermediate routine gets students ready for Grade 1-4 repertoire, think Lagrima by Tarrega etc.

[@MAZiese]

Jim, I've been playing and learning for years and before I move on to the next piece or exercise or study I play the current one at least 5 times before turning the page. I start of slow at half tempo and then slowly adjust up to normal tempo.

[@barbroevanderlindquist4128]

Hej, Bradford! Were are your books for buying? Was trying on amazon ca. But that didn't work with bying from Sweden! If I shuld try to follow your lessons i must have your books as beginner at 65! Barbro Sweden

[@FilmFlam]

Now I know what to refer to myself as - a "crossover" student. Apparently with a lot of gaps. I've had numerous teachers over my plus 55 years of guitar, including jazz and classical, but none has had me start from the beginning. Perhaps because I came to them with a broad (but incomplete) knowledge base. I feel like I'm starting from square one. But if that's what it takes, that's what it takes.

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Well, you can dedicate 20% of your practice session to working through my educational series and then continue with stuff at your level/interest. Over time you'll even out!

[@FilmFlam]

@@Thisisclassicalguitar Yep. That's become my new plan. Here's to (eventually) evening out.

[@fabisee]

great videos, i am learning so much from your free resources!! one question: why do you play the open string exercises and scales tirando and not apoyando? i got the advice to do those in apoyando. what are your thoughts on this topic?

[@haithanh2881]

Tôi không biết tiếng anh ?. Làm sao để nghe tiếng việt

[@Ballovirta]

Is the book in tabs

[@elbazzaziayoub3880]

Can we really cycle through all these exercices in one week? Personally, it took me 45 minutes only to complete the string crossing exercices (with all finger combinations) . That aside, I found your lessons very helpful.

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

As you progress through the routine just do your best to include material from all the sections (scales, arp, etc). You can just include some from each category. As you feel confident with an exercise take a pencil and check mark it and move on to the next ones. Slowly you can mainly work on just the material that give you difficulty plus some easier stuff for warm up and quality practice. It will get smaller and smaller as you go.

[@MAZiese]

Bradford, I see that you have a link at the bottom of this page regarding "gear and strings" On the subject specifically "string" gear, have you ever used Guitar String Beads? If so your opinion. Sure looks like an easier way to restring a guitar a guitar and also save damaging the bridge and saddle. here is a link to one brand on Amazon, but they are more listed there too: www.amazon.com/Diamond-Bridge-Classical-Guitar-Guitar/dp/B00G7RHR9W

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

It's not much easier to restring as you still have to go through the holes etc. However, the thing I like about them is that it changes your sound a bit, a little more clear and bright. Maybe because of the steeper string angle and the lack of interference from the string touching itself? Beads are good but lots of guitars now have 12 hole bridges which eliminates the need.

[@MAZiese]

@@Thisisclassicalguitar Bradford, To start I want to apologize to you and the readers for my somewhat long winded replies and comments. I understand your point when you say "you still have to go through the holes etc" of the beads. However almost everyone who has been playing for a while knows how much of a pain in the Pa-toot it is when restringing the three higher "nylon" strings, always having to loop the end of the string several times and maintaining a slight pulling pressure toward the head-stock in order for them to lock and stay in place at the bridge. Sometimes the tail end will slip out of the loop. As for 12 hole bridges, I think you'll will still find that not all luthiers have embraced this method of making 12 hole bridges. Even the higher end shops. My Burguet Studio Model although slightly more expensive then most student "beginner" models has just 6 holes. It came from a small shop in Valencia Spain not a mass produced shop in China or Korea. Even the Cordoba "Espana" series, which are made in Spain also have 6 holes at the bridge. I am slightly older then you, I can assure you on that and I think that these beads will help those "slightly" older players like myself with older stiffer fingers. Plus I believe these beads will also eliminate the small ruts cut into the bridge top by the strings when restringing. And also as you said earlier "However, the thing I like about them is that it changes your sound a bit, a little more clear and bright." I am not a paid spokes person for these bead manufacturers. Just someone who embraces advancements when they come along. And to all the readers of Bradford's KZbin Tips. All I can say is he knows his stuff. And his methods are right on the mark if you are serious in learning this art. Although I have been playing for years, I have bought several of his eBooks and Hard-bounds to augment my library and playing. His tips and practice lessons are fantastic and very helpful. I use a lot of them for warm ups... And NO I am not a paid spokes person for Mr Werner. Just someone who is glad he came across his KZbin channel and glad to see he is promoting the study of this fine instrument.

[@ezioauditore6176]

i cant move my ring finger

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Well, it could be a finger independence thing or an actual injury. Impossible for me to know from your comment. You should go to a good guitar teacher or if it's more serious a doctor or physiotherapist.

[@ezioauditore6176]

its a finger independence thing....