Playing Tárrega on Tárrega's Original 1856 Guitar

In this lesson, Wulfin Lieske, owner of Antonio de Torres' most famous modern guitar, La Leona, talks to us about Tárrega. He performs excerpts from various Tárrega pieces and provides valuable insight into his style, historical context, and the unique features of his music. Widely considered the creator of the modern guitar, guitar maker Antonio de Torres built this instrument in 1856, and it was the only guitar he named until his death. Over time, it grew to define and inspire Tárrega as a composer and performer.
➡️ Watch Wulfin Lieske teach & perform Tárrega on tonebase: app.tonebase.co/guitar/course...
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[@JaxonBurn]

Man if this video was 10 times as long I still would have been totally captivated the entire time. Amazing stuff.

[@WulfinLieske]

Hi Jaxon, I am very happy you enjoy this unique ToneBase production at my home. Well it’s about what we can consider as playing Chopin if we were pianists. Tárrega was a trained pianist and he genius is that he succeed in recreating this unique and touching spirit on the guitar. Both in his performance and his composition. I can’t get tired of performing his mazurkas in my entire career. All the best for the New Year (with new La Leona videos…) Wulfin

[@mikashb]

Herr Lieske, what a fantastic video, very inspirational. Thank you for sharing these videos so valuable. Viele Grüße.

[@WulfinLieske]

@@mikashb hi Mike, thanks a lot! are you playing actively? Best regards Wulfin

[@Siralantoon]

Absolutely fascinating.

[@gordonstevens6050]

Best lecture I've ever heard. No ego No vanity just a deep knowledge and love of his subject

[@WulfinLieske]

Wow Gordon, that a really essential mantra! Thanks Wulfin

[@automatics1im]

I wish my old classical guitar teacher was still alive to see this.

[@WulfinLieske]

I am sorry, I could not publish earlier…best Wulfin

[@automatics1im]

@@WulfinLieske that’s very kind. Thank you.

[@WulfinLieske]

Thanks for all your enthusiasm and great comments! YOU ARE MORE THEN 100k! I had never expected such an an incredible amount of reactions on such a rare matter as performing some apoyando on an old guitar… Since I was so overwhelmed I took care to answer on many comments and got in to extended conversations. As I had stated repeatedly, this is all about art. And art is insight - and insight is love for life. I am looking forward to the ongoing exchange of ideas and I am planning some more publications on La Leona and the art of guitar performance. All the best for 2023! 🎉

[@Targula]

Even as someone who knows absolutely nothing about playing guitar I found this very interesting. Your passion and love for the subject is clear as day and it is clearly a very special instrument too. Thank you for sharing!

[@CaptainPupu]

Mein lieben Herr Wulfin danke schön for sharing this amazing piece of musical history with us. You're knowledge is pretty amazing, but I guess it's expected from such a reformed lover of art.

[@WulfinLieske]

@@Targula great words! Thank you very much!

[@WulfinLieske]

@@CaptainPupu Lieber Captain, you put your compliments in wonderful words - thank’s a lot! Yes, art is more than plucking some nylon or animal strings. We get an inner emotional impact from the beautiful sound of the instrument itself. This inspires us to create a vision on the music with this sound. Then “plucking&grabbing” is guided by our brain and once we hear the result we counter check it with our initial vision how to perform. It’s a circle within microseconds, the faster and precise this works, the better. Well that’s it, couldn’t put it into easier words, sorry. Best regards Wulfin

[@nicholasgeorge7825]

This is absolutely priceless for so many reasons, for musicians, historians, guitar makers, everyone. Thank you so much. I'm not surprised that the lightly constructed but larger bodied Torres guitar sounds better at a slightly lower pitch.

[@diogoferreira9039]

Thank you, it's rare to hear anyone to speak so openly and clearly about the origin of modern classical guitar sound, tone and technique!

[@WulfinLieske]

Thanks a lot Diogo, I enjoyed the production and I am glad if people do benefit! Best for 2023

[@brunofigueiredo6697]

It's not just the attack on the strings or the hand position but also the fact that Tarrega played latter in his life without nails (the sound changes completely, the piercing attack is gone) and the Torres was gut strung (a completely different touch and sound).

[@WulfinLieske]

Dear Bruno, I do agree absolutely. Still let me remark, that once we go back to the original form of his artistry we have to awake and kind of rebirth what we have enjoyed and learned with our own words and visions. Otherwise we would only need to listen Tárrega’s own recordings and interpretation (if they ever would exist) and art stands still. This is the challenge of all classical (notated) if we want to keep its masterpieces alive. My very best regards Wulfin

[@theodosios2615]

Oh I didn't know that! Going from nails to fingertip style takes a lot of re-learning technique.

[@WulfinLieske]

@@theodosios2615 well, it’s all possible, see Brandon Ackers video on that matter. Ok,if you are curious, go for it and don’t hestitate (nails will grow again!). But still, if you are not absolutely sure…WHY? Only nails off is not enough: gut strings, old guitars or replicas and a lot of stylistic and, in consequence, technical readjustments…. Ok I do stop! Good luck Wulfin

[@brunofigueiredo6697]

@@theodosios2615 Tarrega had 2 years to reajust his technique. Pujol met him after his 1st no nails recital. After Segovia it became rare to find no nails guitarists. For a no nails modern practice check Tommy Emamuel, steel strung guitar well amplified, not classical music.

[@WulfinLieske]

@@SquirrelASMR Hi Squirrel, that’s the major experience: listening…

[@kevinkiso4579]

My lord; I am a guitarist from Seattle and I grew up listening to and learning Jimmy Page, Brian May, Jeff Beck, etc... Of course any guitarist is aware of the words "classical guitar." But i have never heard a story of a young man in Spain in the eighteen hundreds making the guitar his passion and livelihood in this way. I'm just floored. And thank you so, so much for posting this. P.s., Jesus, as i

[@WulfinLieske]

Thanks for your great response! Best Wulfin

[@kevinkiso4579]

P.s., I apologize for abruptly abandoning my previous message, Wulfin. I believe I was going to elaborate upon the grace and ease with which you share such wonderful swaths of knowledge regarding not only the whole of the guitar but that particular instrument that was crafted in the 1800s and that you've owned and performed with over the course of the last thirty years. Your mini documentary, my friend, has reignited the passion that I first felt as a child in the early seventies here in Seattle when I would sit out on my small family's back porch as my mother sang and played at the Maple Leaf Tavern across the street from our home. Elvis Greatest Fifty Golden Hits vinyl LP was the first time I was truly moved in an emotional way by listening to the playing of a guitar. I'd no idea who Scotty Moore or James Burton was. But I had 24-hour access to my mother's nylon stringed guitar, and I learned to tune the instrument by ear, of course, as there was no tablature in the back pages of Guitar Player Magazine. But I spent many an hour reading interviews with Julian Bream, Tal Farlow, Paco de Lucia, Lenny Breaux, Andres Segovia, etc. I'm sorry for rambling. It's been such a pleasure being sent upon this thrilling hunt for knowledge so new to me. Thank you very much.

[@ChappyQuiddick-wz6ci]

OG. The ONE. Birthed so Many. Brilliant

[@mus1970]

This guitar is an amazing piece of history - not just musical history - and it's so good to see you are preserving it for posterity. Thank you very much for your lecture, insight, and demonstrations!

[@WulfinLieske]

It’s my pleasure, John! thank you.

[@zaldum386]

This was too short, i need MORE!! Saludos from Spain

[@kathyhollenbach7413]

I really enjoy listening to Tarrega's compositions for classical guitar. Recuerdos de la Alhambra is my favorite. Thank you for this lecture.

[@brandonacker]

I love Tarrega and this guitar. A few historical errors were made in this video that warrant correction: -The lute right hand position was thumb out (like guitar) for 200 years (1600-1800) which leads directly into classical guitar. He is referring to renaissance lute pre-1600. Common misconception. -Lutenists often used nails in the Baroque period too. - About historical pitch, read "the story of A" by Haynes. Pitch was relative until very recently and people played higher and much lower than 440 for most of history. - You are using synthetic strings and it would be lovely to hear this instrument played with gut as Tarrega would have heard it. It's a shame modern guitarists never experiment in this way. Edit: I don't mean to attack anyone. I like the video and the artist here. I'm just adding corrections to some common misconceptions.

[@AladdinHaddad]

Nope , the never used nails , BTW, you video talking about how beautiful a guitar can sound without nails almost got me a heart attack, because its simply BS..

[@abdumushuk2219]

@@AladdinHaddad you need a stronger heart then

[@Synonomous]

How did I know Brandon was the author of this post? Great insight as always! I was actually thinking of you when I got to the part about gut strings then saw your name. Thanks!

[@Synonomous]

@@AladdinHaddad Listen to Brandon's videos comparing nails and gut strings. May change your position.

[@WulfinLieske]

Dear Brandon, thanks a lot getting into detail. My motivation to perform La Leona since about 1990 more than frequently was both to unlock the secret and to understand the genius concept of its construction and artistic utopia. So after establishing a repertoire of “early music”, such as Francesco da Milano, Luis Milan, John Dowland I was aiming to find new visions for interpretation Bach on the guitar, finding out that for my standards Torres is nirvana. Well finally I ended up performing almost any kind of repertoire including most of my own compositions. It’s the absolute and uncompromising quality of the musical diction which is unsurpassed. No matter if I use gut or nylon string, with or without nails, or 415 or 428 (as I do). It is more about inspired than about historical correctness. And want I learnt with the 1856 Leona I can take to Santos, Hauser guitar as well. She is my best mentor and musical ear-trainer. My compliments for your channel, Brandon and all the best for 2023! Maybe we meet sometime/somewhere Wulfin

[@zaenkmus]

This is a really captivating video. I am also amazed how eloquently the guitarist speaks in English, better than a lot of native speakers.

[@WulfinLieske]

Dear Peter, I am the guitarist speaking…😅 thanks for your compliments! I am aware of many grammar mistakes, still can’t reflect on rules whilst talking. Great that anybody seems to have gotten the message…upppps. Wulfin

[@delaruepcf]

Il a été une belle soirée pizza avec un u un uuuuuuuuuiuuuuuuiuuuuuui et de le supprimer compte sur le paysage vue on peut être que ça peut se capter la in peu plus sur la route in Paris un jour là mais pas possible que ok je on oi le site il faut que u a oublié son tel dans les bottes et le uùu à vous aussi le plus important que tu me parles et tu penses être à Paris en plus ou pas il est à côté place du château il a été avec les autres pays natal de î o top merci ok je te remercie de m'avoir fait une proposition il faut que u le site d'Est pour les ok je suis à Paris une pièce en même utilisé dans les toilettes de Noël où tu veux je suis ook de mon ooiuo de retour de ce matin mais j'ai eu une petite sortie du coup j'ai eu une belle cagnotte en même le faire ou si je suis ook et de ou de un à deux fois plus que tu peux pas vous pouvez faire des trucs pour les ok merci ok je vais ouvrir un outil pour le gaz Engie pour les enfants de Noël yyyoooyo et je vous souhaite également un joyeux noël en espérant il faut ok merci pour ton mail je suis à Bob car en ce soir il est possible d'avoir le plaisir des crèches de retour de ce jour là et il est joliment outil qui utilise la bonne qualité car conçue et les deux Ibanez et je suis à Paris pour les photos des enfants sont inscrits pour les oraux du outils en cours pour la outils pour l'enterrer de Noël et le colloque du mois où il yo ûu uu ûu y yo les informations sont sur les deux billets à des trucs et des crèches à faire un point ou pas de refus on peut faire ou si on fait ça avec le père Noël et de le in de Paris une offre pour un rdv à ok et pour la qualif pour information nous sommes intéressés à venir chercher la maison à côté place du marché du coup si je suis ook il est joliment vert pour les outils pour les ok ok ok ok je suis dispo il faut ouvrir on est en cours et on peut se faire plaisir de voir surgir pour les enfants sont où sont également les î oui c'est ook et je propose qu'on en fasse le tour à Paris une u en ttv de de faire le virement sont pas mal il est à î et de très bonne année de formation sexiste pour les photos du jour ou de la journée du lundi 8 décembre pour les ok je te souhaite également un très bel hommage au plus grand bien les gens de ma famille il est possible que tu vas voir la oo il est joliment dit que c'est une option pour les enfants de Noël et si oui u un y avait on peut être ok je vais faire une demande du PF de retour de la semaine du coup si je ne sais on a reçu une option ou uui un mail si possible d'avoir le même panier pour les photos des toilettes de ma mère qui ne se sont où sont où le jeu des années et les autres plaques à faire une option pour les ok on u le plus on sera il est important que les gens de mon compte courant de cette année pour î o on est en train d'aller voir la semaine dernière je in la même utilisé que le roy de Noël a tout de la maison avec jardin intérieur en face à un moment à passer me chercher la petite vidéo pour la tester la version du moment que nous ne pouvons donc vous avez mis le nom sur les photos du in a invité pour la semaine du nouvel ans home cinéma mais ça ne marche toujours dispo pour en profiter de u de temps à autre yo il faut ok je suis dispo le weekend dernier mail je te remercie de m'avoir prévenue et j'ai pas encore ça en fait c'est le ii York a invité pour la qualif yo les outils sont où le temps ne nous permet une fois de suite pour la tester le jeu de mots et des trucs pour les enfants et le ou uuûiiùu u un uuu uuu uui uuûiiùu u uuui iuu uiuiuiiu a pas on est en cours pour les photos des outils toi tu vas voir la vidéo pour vous une date Maé on peut faire une sauvegarde des écrans qui uuui oui c'est pas possible de passer à autre histoire à chaque année je pense à la fois un jour ou vous pouvez proposer une offre pour un poste le courrier ici en fonction du liquide est ce une petite vidéo pour les ok merci pour les enfants sont inscrits sur les écrans de Noël on peut se faire plaisir de te faire des gros gros câlins pour la semaine dernière de notre part à toi de faire le virement sont les meilleurs pour les photos de ton père Noël où il est impossible d'avoir une petite question à la fin d'études et une on ira ou on yoyo pour la qualif et les deux la farine comme je suis à Bob et je te souhaite de très bonne fête des écrans qui sont où les gens sont inscrits pour les ok je te dis quand on se verra ce weekend si oui à la salle à ou la î oui u uuûiiùu uuuuu uu un œil aux autres et que vous offrez il faut ouvrir les photos de votre retour cordialement Mme je viens d'arriver en retard mais nous iooy je vais ouvrir les photos de ton retour et je suis ook i tous le ou uuûiiùu uiuuuuuuuuuu et je vous embrasse bien bien et il a pas eu la confirmation immédiate et toi comment tu es au travail je ou de oo York a la salle à la mairie et je te dis ça quand on ira à Paris on va organiser le voyage à toi pour te faire des trucs et tu as bien raison pour les enfants et la formatrice et les enfants de la semaine du o du message que tu es dispo le vendredi et je suis en vacances de Pâques pour le rendez à il a oo ou iiuii et je vous souhaite également tous les éléments que tu es dispo le samedi matin ou après le rdv à ok et pour les photos et le uùu à toi pour la tester et la jardinière pour les ok merci ok je vais travailler la î on peut être que ça sera pour le on a en vain des crèches il est à côté des outils en cours en anglais mais ça ne va organiser ok merci beaucoup d'accès il est possible pour toi si ça va pas mieux et le oo ou la personne je viendrai à Paris pour la semaine dernière pour un flirt puis le reste uuu uuûiiùu u un uuuuuuuuuiuuuuuuiuuuuuui u uuûiiùu uyuu je ne suis iiuui uiuuiuiuuuuîyiuiiu et le reste des photos et je te dis ça je ne un plus gros gros gros gros câlins pour la qualif on peut faire ça en septembre pour une bonne soirée où je peux finir ce que vous faites quoi faire un petit mail sur la liste du liquide et en attendant la fin d'année est toujours en vente sur ok merci beaucoup et je suis à Bob et la maison a pris la route et la formatrice a fait le tour à Paris ou en or ❤for on peut se voir pour la tester la version finale et la jardinière pour les ok pour les enfants à Paris une pièce pour les photos ou uui uuuiuuuuuiuuiiiiuiiuiuiuuiii et les autres on peut être en forme en plus ôter les ok pour les infos que je suis ook et que vous allez pouvoir faire opposition au courant si on a ii un en

[@Jokesonyou6666]

I cant quite describe it but that is the most beautiful sounding acoustic guitar I have ever heard in my life

[@WulfinLieske]

And the most famous of all classical guitars

[@roberthunt1540]

A classical guitar geek's dream come true! Thank you for your expertise and for sharing it with us.

[@WulfinLieske]

Hi Robert, you are welcome. I will go on keeping you updated. Best for 2023 Wulfin

[@loveclaasiclguitar2402]

It truly is, for those of us who live in the middle of nowhere, this is such an amazing thing to experience! Thank you so very much to Tonebase!!!

[@petertaylor233]

When I studied guitar at uni I had an opportunity to play a violin (Strad) which was apparently used by Mozart. I was the worlds shittiest violinist, but stoked none the less to touch such a beautiful instrument, gave me shivers. Playing Tarrega on his own his guitar is legend in the same league.

[@WulfinLieske]

Great comparison! Yes it is about sound music art! Best Wulfin

[@droid1008]

The prominence of Torres in the guitar world also matches with Stradivarius in the violin world. It is a perfect comparison.

[@paulsobu9084]

How blessed you are 👍👍

[@gurreu]

Absolutely fascinating! Thank you for sharing.

[@infledermaus]

Spanish guitarists/composers are the best! I absolutely love Spanish guitar! Very interesting video about instrument construction and technique! One can really hear the difference in technique! Excellent documentary. I'm going to have try to find some of this music on lute which I also love and maybe oud.

[@nicholasgeorge7825]

Priceless. Thank you.

[@suninleaves]

I might not be able to comprehend all the content in the vid, but it certainly tells me the classical guitar platform we had today are built by musicians, guitar makers back to 18th centry. great sharing

[@Mandoline2007]

Wow! What a pleasure to hear you describe all these subtleties related to the Classical guitar as well as this genius composer. Thank you for this very informative video.

[@WulfinLieske]

Dear Mr Mandoline, thanks a lot for your comment. It sums up all what is essential for the topic. Great! All the best Wulfin

[@LadyJefferson]

The sound of that guitar is incredible…wonderful sharing of knowledge. Beautiful playing. Thank you!

[@WulfinLieske]

I am glad you like it. Great so many people love the sound of an 166 yrs old guitar from Sevilla😅

[@sltomsik]

Valuable instruction and history for guitarists. I'm grateful. Thanks.

[@afmartins666]

You know the guy knows his thing when he instinctively just holds the guitar with a Bb7/9 chord.

[@WulfinLieske]

Yeah bro!

[@frankjurgensen9550]

Yes!! I play Western and telecaster most the time. When i check any guitar never look at the price or name. Just play any favorite chords of mine. That's it for me. The first moment gotta chill me.

[@threeshocks5769]

Man I just smelled colors and seen sound. Humanities and the the Arts can save the world 🙏

[@truthray2885]

Vielen danke, Herr Lieske. Ausgezeichnet.

[@filiuslaurentius]

fascinating. What a beautiful instrument.

[@damiansamb3980]

Thank you!! 🙌🏻⚡👏🏻

[@JuniorMesquita]

Great stuff, thank you 🙏

[@image30p]

Excellent thank you!

[@ctnspvtltd8664]

love it.. Thanks for the great information

[@CYON4D]

Beautiful guitar.

[@zaldum386]

Impresionante!!!

[@cronje4809]

World class video!

[@Betterthantelly]

Beautiful guitar. Fascinating video. Thank you so much

[@WulfinLieske]

Thanks a lot Gordon, I have some great guitars such as Santos Hernandez but Torres is the goddess and La Leona the culmination of art. Almost no more guitar…

[@borregalesandres]

Esto es increíble!

[@davisworth5114]

Excellent presentation!

[@oarturisaac]

BELÍSSIMO!!!!

[@justinludeman8424]

How amazing it would be to play this guitar, especially one's own favourite pieces by Tárrega. Fascinating insights 👌🏼🙏🏼

[@WulfinLieske]

Hi Justin. Find out if your favorites are on ToneBase or on KZbin

[@MrLenzi1983]

thanks for sharing , amazing content

[@ThiagoAbdalla]

Very important moment in musical history!

[@shop970]

It's extremely interesting to many who hold stringed instruments for 100's of hours. Besides hearing an historical guitar! . It's a fabulous informative video. " pinchy" yes it works. It's a word!

[@ronaldoleaga1]

Mesmerising love this. Thanks for sharing such beautiful lecture

[@WulfinLieske]

Thanks a lot Ronald! Yes, it was a great pleasure producing this tutorial and I was overwhelmed by the immense enthusiastic response I have got. Well, I am going on with this matter…have a look around! Best regards Wulfin

[@user-yq4ph9dx8g]

It is the first time that I learned why rest stroke was an important part of our skillset. I always imagined that rest stroke is some kind of bridging technique to let newbies (like me) to learn to pluck the strings Now I understand, and I will incorporate more of them into my daily practices

[@TyinAlaska]

Thank you!

[@bennokathol3953]

Sehr interessant und lehrreich, Danke.

[@williambock1821]

I’ve never heard high notes on a guitar remind me of a piano. Amazingly full tone.

[@dallasstiles118]

In a word, fascinating. Thank you and God bless.

[@WulfinLieske]

Thanks a lot Dallas, I will keep on going…best Wulfin

[@silentconversation]

Nice video👏Thanks for sharing it. I wish you all the best. Keep it up! 👍

[@bernardfranklin6779]

Thank you it's fascinating to know i been playing the guitar a long time just wonderful thank you for your time 🙏🙏🙏🙏🌹🌹

[@WulfinLieske]

Great, I am happy you enjoyed it. Soul & spirit…

[@patriciojuvenalbaezguzman1428]

extraordinario muchas gracias Saludos desde eL Sur de Chile

[@ignaciore9023]

Gran vídeo Gracias

[@carlossaenz3447]

Maravillosas explicaciones. Gracias. Has dado unos minutos de belleza a mi día

[@WulfinLieske]

🎉😊

[@brahim119]

Thank you maestro. I would listen to mister Lieske for days talking and playing. THANK YOU SO MUCH Tonebase.

[@WulfinLieske]

Dear Brahim thank you for this great and charming compliment! Did you notice that there is a lot more of my playing and talking about music in the net? Best wishes Wulfin

[@chrislj2005]

Masterclass!

[@aaronvillanueva3257]

Thank you Herr Lieske for this fantastic video. I came across Tarrega for the first time almost 22 years ago when I first started studying the Classical Guitar and immediately became a huge fan. I appreciate you differentiating the right hand playing styles between him and Sor. I always thought that it was a bit uncomfortable playing the right hand style of Tarrega but when you put it into the context piano playing it made much more sense! Thanks and looking forward to your other videos!

[@WulfinLieske]

Great you liked the video, Aaron. There are some more videos in the web me playing La Leona. Your feedback is always appreciated. Wulfin

[@MrTang-qo9wm]

Brilliant!

[@AladdinHaddad]

Great video Tonebase Team , and nicely explained by Wulfin.

[@WulfinLieske]

Thanks a lot, we had great fun during the production. Best Wulfin

[@godfreyzilla8608]

As a very young and very amateur violin student years ago I could only dream of playing on a quality instrument. My parents could neither afford private lessons nor a quality instrument. It would have been much the same if I had wanted to study classical guitar. I gave up the violin to study architecture and I deeply regret not taking up the guitar at an early age. I have been enjoying the works of the many Spanish composers and the many professional musicians who perform their works worldwide. I enjoy these performances immensely. As an architect I was intrigued by the architecture and engineering principles of the design of the Tarrega guitar, and that of others, for that matter. Your discussion of the length of strings, the dimensions and volume of the body and the picking styles and how these things effect the sound is very informative. I did not hear anything about the wood or the string materials but that's another variable. I don't know if Tarrega's guitar or any other can be compared to "Paganini's Guarneri Canon" using these same criteria. However, I am certain that the performance room or hall acoustics would have a lot to do with the overall perception of the sound. A poorly designed concert hall would have devastating effects on any performance no matter how gifted the performer or the quality of the instrument. I have noticed that many artists today perform and record in ancient buildings with cavernous spaces and hard surfaces that can reflect or reverberate the sound. A mixing engineer can mitigate the acoustics of performing in these spaces but a live audience experience would be totally different in my opinion. I have always believed that a good architect orchestrates his designs in the same way that a good composer builds a symphony or a concerto. The same is true about a master craftsman constructing a fine instrument or one a fine piece of furniture. It's all about the principles. My apologies for the lengthy comment!!

[@WulfinLieske]

Dear Godfrey, your comment is fantastic, thanks a lot! Considering the materials La Leona has a European spruce top and fanstrutting, cypress sides and metallic tornavoz. It has a weight of some 1000 grs with modern machines by Rodgers. I would like to send you a PDF - so if you like to contact me via my website, please feel free to to so and I can send you some more informations. Best Wulfin

[@alexhall6375]

This is so interesting, I learned a lot from this, thank you

[@WulfinLieske]

Hi Alex, learning never ends. Pleasure is the gift…

[@robertharden4092]

Amazing information Thankyou oh so much wow. This is what makes the world go round. Simply amazing Thanks

[@WulfinLieske]

Thanks a lot Robert, I will go on. Surfing the net will show you more! Best regards Wulfin

[@anthonyroach7974]

What a fabulous video fantastic stuff what a beautiful sound guitar stunning

[@WulfinLieske]

Thanks a lot Anthony! There will be a new series THE LEONA DIARIES on my KZbin in September. Leona is not only good for Tárrega - you will see… best Wulfin

[@WulfinLieske]

Hi to all the aficionados out there, I would like to post some ideas on sound aesthetics of the classical guitar. Reacting on the entire bunch of your great comments, be them enthusiastic or critical, it’s about tuning, strings and nails. If you play on an Torres type instrument, low weight, low resonance and tune it around 430-435hz, perform romantic music with the “spirit of Tárrega (as I exposed in my substantial ToneBase tutorial, you will have a pretty dark and expressive melodious sound. This will be enhanced by the typically low string tension and action with very easy vibrato, slur, glissando. In my experience this goes perfectly on standard top quality nylon strings. I use SAVAREZ cristal, alliance (only for the 3rd) and Corum standard tension. Maybe you are a bit closer to gut with the good old Jimi Hendrix, sorry Segovia Red Augustine. Nylgut is another cup of tea (better no nails). If you have the right attack both apoyando and tirando (like John Williams for ex. ) and the equivalent perfect nail shape YOU ARE ON THE GOOD SIDE! If you are a nerd burning for authenticity or new adventures cut them off, get the expensive gut (great animals, though!) and here we go. That’s the good thing with all the crazy guitar folks around the planet, lonesome nerds at times - BUT HAPPY! And that’s how this great platform ToneBase and others can exist and are such valuable contributions to our “lonely heart-club-band”. Here we go, thanks for your patience and passion! Have a nice day/night Wulfin🎉

[@WulfinLieske]

Me again, just forgot to invite you to comment and ideas! Wulfin🎉🎉

[@PERFECTGINGERBASTARD]

@@WulfinLieske I liked what you said about the gold tone and silver tone of the different 'A' pitch 428 and 440 tension difference and effect on the timbre.

[@impheris]

very interesting

[@1977aliveandkicking]

👍 tnx.

[@popogast]

This is very interesting to me as an amateur guitar player. My teachers never told me these nuances.

[@rickrodrigues2219]

Interesting technical analysis of guitar tone & playing technique. 166 year genuine Tárrega guitar still looks spotless, immaculate! A guitar collectors dream...priceless!

[@WulfinLieske]

Thanks, Rick!

[@rickrodrigues2219]

@@WulfinLieske No problem Wulfin & to your question @ 08:36, Yes...'pinchy' is a word in English but it is more associated with the 'pain' of being pinched (ouch!) but also used by guitarist in pinching the strings...lol!

[@suchevski]

Mate you know everything

[@dannyvalentine468]

It's brilliant we can just watch a video of someone just playing Tarrega's guitar. Beautiful sound the guitar has!

[@WulfinLieske]

HinDanny, great you enjoy it! In fact La Leona never belonged to Tárrega (nor Julian Arcas, whom Francisco Heard- performing on La Leona). Torres kept it throughout his entire life.

[@timmasonguitar]

Great video, and the sort of thing I love discussing with my students.

[@WulfinLieske]

Yeah, tell them the truth…! 😇

[@Goku17yen]

The sound is sweet like candy

[@erebus79]

Very interesting.

[@Alex_Martz]

Excellent video!, greetings from Spain!

[@WulfinLieske]

Thanks Alex!😊

[@nikosz66]

Thanks for posting ! Best Wishes from Athens !

[@user-nu7kk4uw6k]

I talked to the Argentinian guitarist Rolando Saad after a concert about his guitar, a Fleta. He played with his fingertips, not his nails. It sounded very good. I bought his CD, A Celebration of the Spanish Guitar. The recording has a very warm sound.

[@erre_gomez]

¡ Bello!

[@WulfinLieske]

Thanks a lot!

[@tkoken1]

I've never before had any explanation of "apoyando"!! Thanks .

[@WulfinLieske]

Well call it Rest stroke….

[@RyansCustomShopandGearOutlet]

This is the coolest video I've seen today. Awesome!

[@WulfinLieske]

Great Ryan, still we enjoyed some 21 degrees Celsius 😅

[@WulfinLieske]

Thanks Ryan, what about the videos you saw today?

[@rolandosarabia810]

Herr Lieske is very knowledgeable about his chosen craft. Very informative segment.

[@WulfinLieske]

Dear Rolando, thanks a lot for your nice comment. If you have seen the tutorial on ToneBase I would be curious to learn your opinion. Best Wulfin

[@rolandosarabia810]

@@WulfinLieske I'll look for it. Please to make your acquaintance.

[@rolandosarabia810]

@@WulfinLieske send me the link so I don't have to be fumbling about.

[@porculizador]

thank you. very informative

[@RedfoxCGLM]

yes....incredibly interesting...fascinating fellow!

[@WulfinLieske]

Thanks a lot Greg!

[@Aksm91ManNavar]

Ive been wanting to know more about Tarrega for a long time. There are very little sources about him. Thanks for this video

[@WulfinLieske]

There are some in the meanwhile. But feel free to embark on my tutorial on ToneBase. A lot of stuff. Best Wulfin

[@viangallifrancois2568]

Very interesting. Tarrega played on gut strings without nails. Without nails, the sound and the music in general is completely different.

[@WulfinLieske]

Dear Viangalli, yes that’s true, still there is no such ONE truth in art. Otherwise we would only list men to Rachmaninov playing Rachmaninov. Transformation ist the goal. So even with nylon you can bring your guitar message out. This is in no way ignorant if we know the authentic thing but we transform it to what we feel appropriate today. Bed Wulfin

[@JoshuaC923]

Very nice history lesson

[@WulfinLieske]

Thanks Joshua, tried my best. It a bit story-telling with a lot of truth

[@sgt.pepper]

Primer anglosajón que veo en youtube hablar con propiedad y verdadero conocimiento sobre la guitarra y su historia, nombrando por supuesto a Francisco Tárrega. Thank`s very much.

[@GerardoLopez-pt3ig]

Es alemán, no anglosajón.

[@sgt.pepper]

Gracias por la aclaración.@@GerardoLopez-pt3ig

[@Mashmans]

Wonderful explanation about playing the vibrato! Ich lerne Deustch und liebe die guitarre.

[@WulfinLieske]

Hi mashmans, thanks a lot. Where are you based and what is your guitar backgrounds? Best Wulfin

[@mattbod]

There is fascinating information here. Thank you very much for putting this up. I know it is a long debated subject but can one come close to Tarrega’s sound using the attack you describe but with nails. This has probably been asked many times but I am only a few years into learning the guitar and have only recently been introduced to Tarrega Preludes by my teacher :)

[@pasqualelangellotti5261]

Tarrega un genio

[@FastLifeInc]

This is so cool I’m always curious about what happens to famous composers’ instruments after they pass. I guess most of them just stay in the family locked up in storage

[@magenta-rosepark4965]

Terraga's technique made it sound the brightest.

[@WulfinLieske]

Hi magenta, I take this as an compliment! Thanks! For the lyricism of Tarregas music it is not too strange to explore his way doing it. If you manage his espressivo your are ready to use it for Villa Lobos and Henze (or Lieske) as well. Best Wulfin

[@jeff110128]

Let's hear it with gut strings! I've noticed a big difference in sound between nylon and gut. To hear it with gut would bring us so much closer to the sound-world of Tárrega.

[@brandonacker]

Hear hear! We are not hearing the original sound Tarrega would have heard without gut strings

[@WulfinLieske]

Hi Jeff, thanks a lot for your interesting question. In fact I had recorded my CD “El Canto de La Leona” with gut strings by SAVAREZ for 1st and 2nd. The remaining strings are SAVAREZ corum. I have experimented a lot with gut strings entirely. I recognized a slight profit for the trebles, but only for a few days since they do not like nail attack and start to fray, getting pretty rough and break. So I decided for entire stringing with SAVAREZ Cristal and Corum. The unique quality of La Leona remains in a slightly different shine but artistically absolutely convincing. Especially when tuning down to 428Hz and performing in the style of Tárrega. Finally we do not aim to go back, but to bring him into our present time keeping up with his style and spirit. La Leona has the chameleonesque ability to serve for many styles, even in the field of contemporary music. With my very best regards and all the best for 2023! Wulfin

[@jeff110128]

@@WulfinLieske Your definitely right about gut strings getting chewed up quickly by nails. It is unfortunate because they are so expensive. When I first tried gut, I had long nails and that didn't work at all. Now I have short nails (the nails do not go past the end of the fingertip) and the tone is much better. Not sure if the string longevity is improved at all. I recorded a CD of Regondi on an early Romantic guitar. My intention was to use gut, and there is a fine maker of gut strings less than 3 hours from where I live. But I ended up using Aquila Ambra 800 strings. The trebles are Nylgut and the basses are rayon-core to simulate the silk-core strings historically used. Aquila also makes the Ambra 900 set, which is intended for Torres-style instruments. I also have a replica of Tárrega's Torres SE114, and I recorded some Tárrega on it with nylon strings. I have since put gut strings on that guitar (with the Aquila 900 rayon-core basses) and plan to re-record those pieces so people can hear the difference. All the same, thank you for your nice video!

[@armandoymaggy]

Where can I find them Jeff? I have been looking for them but nothing...

[@jeff110128]

@@armandoymaggy The strings I use are made by Gamut Music in Duluth, MN. I get medium gauge, varnished.

[@alexbychkov4485]

Having been taught the Tarrega’s concept, decade after decade, I gradually and intuitively moved to the lute concept, going through all the intermediate concepts you showed. Oh if you have taught me this precious lesson 40 years ago!

[@WulfinLieske]

Hi Alex, accepted, but what about the next 20? All the best for 2023 Wulfin

[@alexbychkov4485]

@@WulfinLieske Hi Wulfin, I think the lute concept will be my favourite one the next 20 because I love the soft and sensual way of playing the guitar. For this purpose, I also gave my guitar (cedar top and Brazilian rosewood back and sides) to a luthier to have its nitro finish replaced with shellac.

[@WulfinLieske]

@@alexbychkov4485 Great Alex! (My second forename is Alexi!!!). Quite a treat to get rid of the synthetic varnish... Next step is playing lute! Seriously: I have no problem with playing softly on one of my Santos Hernández. Sul tasto and not too strong + vibrato if desired, here we go. By the way, what is your current repertoire? Best Wulfin

[@alexbychkov4485]

@@WulfinLieske Hi, nice to hear you again! It's a completely sudden but interesting offer to play lute. I'm gonna think on that. Is it a great difference for your feelings when playing the same piece on the guitar and on the lute? What do you thing about playing guitar lute? My repertoire is simple but soulful music such as Tarrega, Bach and my own compositions. I compose love songs for my wife also. She loves them very much.

[@fasteddie389]

La Leona is tuned to 428Hz - best resonance ( 3:53 4:36 )

[@mpista7182]

Reminds me of the "Beatles" song "Blackbird". What a wonderful presentation. I'm jus a poor man but somehow this little piece of knowledge makes me feel "sophisticated" Thank you Wulfin !

[@xzysyndrome]

The idea of just changing the resting knee to change the attack...Wow. I had to get my guitar and try....not even going to try to hide how blown my mind is.

[@WulfinLieske]

Hi XZ, yes it’s awesome how little things are connected. We tend to explore micro details of movements without regarding the origin. But this can be changed and happens in the brain first. So my congrats you got it! Best Wulfin

[@QuickStartUkulele]

Well played. Fantastic lecture. Great description of the tonal qualities and the subtleties of the playing positions. Thank you.

[@WulfinLieske]

I am glad, you had a benefit! best Wulfin

[@NemoO4567]

Очень интересный рассказ и прекрасное звучание гитары!Спасибо!

[@mehurar]

This is good

[@WulfinLieske]

Great, I could convince…😅

[@jamesdoanecompositions]

Amazing information! I am a classical guitarist, and it would be amazing to actually be able to play that legendary guitar.

[@carlose.johansson739]

Do you know the name of the introducing guitar piece?

[@rtmca1]

@@carlose.johansson739 “Lagrima”

[@rabokarabekian409]

Consider also aging of the wood, finish, and glue. Others have noted the gut/nylon string factors. It's also interesting to ponder how people of that time would have heard this instrument, not being conditioned as we are now to so much noise from machines or expectations due to the necessary limits of electrical transmission and reproduction. The consider the sort of situations where one might play for others. Indeed, it's not the same home.

[@WulfinLieske]

Dear Rabakarabe, thanks a lot for your very sensible and attentive comment. No matter how the mainstream is pushing we are free to choose our own way. Best regards Wulfin