Q&A with Gohar Vardanyan | Guitar, Strings, Practicing

For lessons with Gohar visit: www.goharvardanyan.com/
Guitar: 2012 Jean Rompré
Strings: Royal Classics Recital
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Twitter: / followgohar
Facebook: / goharguitar
Gohar Vardanyan is sponsored by Strings By Mail (www.StringsByMail.com), a complete source for strings. accessories, & sheet music.
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[@johnbrock1602]

I enjoy watching. I want to start playing again the first time I was playing I was 35 yrs old. Now I am 72 yrs old.

[@gardnep]

Yeah, I did the same

[@hrburrell7587]

Fantastic! Thank you for taking the time to answer questions.

[@manishi01]

Thank YOU! for spending time and putting together this video. This is very helpful. Best wishes for your musical journey.

[@deanpenny8456]

What a delightfully honest and helpful video! I admire your playing very much, and the guitar is stunning! Thank you - I shall look forward to the next one.

[@jeremiahjackson4165]

Thank you for existing. You're at the level we all strive for.

[@MBLonYT]

This was a very interesting and helpful video. Thank you for sharing your experience and advice. I really enjoyed and benefitted from it

[@denparrish]

Thank you for doing this Gohar.

[@Michajeru]

I admire your playing and personality very much. It is so nice to get insight into your approach to guitar playing.

[@amjadgiraldoserna1202]

Great video! all of your videos have been really important to realize some awesome things about practicing the guitar, specially the slow practice! Thank you for doing this, Greetings from Colombia!

[@fernandomoreno3988]

You are so generous and honest in your analysis and explanation of your routine, thank yo That is a fabulous gift to us, your devoted audience. A million thanks!!!

[@MegaStrijder]

Thanks Gohar, a great video full of information. you are an excellent teacher, i enjoy your playing immensely.

[@ryancummings8436]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and insight with us. I have been a classical guitarist for 13 years and a teacher for four. It is great to hear your musicality and to learn from your level of experience.

[@robroy103]

Thank you Gohar for sharing your knowledge and technique, I have found your video very interesting and extremely helpful.

[@sebakampete1293]

Gohar you are just amazing in the way you play! Pleasure to listen to

[@dickvisser8363]

Thank you so much for this beauty and help!

[@markhartevelt]

Gohar thanks for this, great to hear about your personal approach. Even for someone like me who does not play an instrument but loves listening, your explanations help to even better enjoy your recordings and those of your fellow guitarists. Greatings from The Netherlands

[@TheDouglasSeth]

Thanks for doing this video. This is great for students and well done . Great presentation and lovely attire. Excellent information.

[@jeanrompre9497]

Without a musician, a guitar is just a siilent piece of wood. Thank you for making it sing so beautifully Gohar.

[@GoharVardanyan]

Thank you Jean!!! :) I feel like She (the guitar) and I are partners!

[@alejandroarmentacorrea4480]

@@GoharVardanyan no lo creo asi si eres guitarrista lo comprenderas, mucho tiene que ver la calidad del instrumento.

[@javierlopeztello]

Thank you very much for your videos my daughter and me watch every mornings!!!

[@jeffsheldon8079]

Amazing! Just starting a 12 week online course and your videos have been super helpful. TY.

[@lawcch]

Gohar. Thanks for sharing your learning experience, teaching experience and give inspiration for young musicians or guitarists to pick up music and their career.i love to see more this type of video in the future. I do believe a good and inspired teacher is very important aspect of learning music and teaching students the right habits and practice.

[@ronaldcuevas7226]

Thank You Gohar you are Great, God Bless you!

[@steveb9325]

Love your playing, guitar and you.

[@otto.castro]

It really encourages blooming guitarists to not try too hard but still be disciplined. Thank you for sharing!

[@sajiguitarist]

I love your playing. God bless you

[@maxjensen5835]

Just wanted to say thanks for all the helpful advice, and that you seem likely a very lovely person!

[@leonpetersen7346]

Fabulous talk...great advice on preparation for performance!!!!!

[@wayneosman8971]

I am old now and have always thought, if someone like you would ever come along and expalin everything the way you have, in such a way as to tell everyone learning, can and will be ok and just practice

[@rondienaar3336]

O yes, what you have told us in the above video has helped me very much. Thank you for that.

[@DyoGD]

Thank you very much Gohar!

[@catalinagalan571]

Great video! Thanks for sharing 🙏🏼

[@nivertinoco1111]

Great video, thanks for sharing your tips dear Gohar.

[@franciscojavierlopez8868]

Congratulations gohan you are a great artist .very nice your play guitar

[@giorgio0358]

You are just a great talented artist.

[@CAJMusic]

This is great! Very interesting views on practicing. Love what you say about using the metronome while learning a piece. Thanks!

[@kevinlohguitar]

thanks for sharing! I enjoyed it a lot.

[@ritupabankotoky]

Thank you for the video. I got many things cleared regarding how to do practice . quality practice.

[@flamenconoriega3330]

Gohar eres increíble,eres muy talentosa en la guitarra te deseo lo mejor,soy de Perú is a beautifull guitar.

[@nylonguitar]

Hello Gohar, after watching this video, I feel like you are a friend. You have a heart of a teacher. I am a recent subscriber and have watched and liked most of your video's. I will consider myself somewhat of a student. Thank you for posting your awesome talent. You are a gem :)

[@angiehernandez3105]

I needed that practicing advice! Cramming practices always happen to me

[@rersr]

I wish could study with you. I'm 78 years old, but so interested in learning. To date, I've been more of a jazz guitarist but I love what you do. Thanks for the inspiring video!

[@henrypagan6657]

Wow beautiful guitar you still have it.

[@lavios162]

i dont comment on almost all and anything i find of interest on this social media.....but this lesson is the most important and beautiful understanding of how the mind and body work together

[@johnfitzgerald5459]

Gohar you are a fabulous teacher, a great guitarist and a really nice person. I feel lucky to have you as my teacher.

[@miguelsanchez-gomez7778]

lJohn Fitzgerald

[@angelserrano7317]

GOHAR YOU AREVERY GOOD TEACHER .TECHER LIKE YOU I NEED WITH ME GOOD BLESS YOU

[@angelserrano7317]

are you very profetional and beautifull tecnica

[@wno1043]

She's one of my favorite guitarists, and I only have about 3!

[@salvadornehemiah1459]

i realize it is pretty randomly asking but do anybody know a good website to watch newly released movies online ?

[@JPcares]

That was very informative. I can't remember the last time I sat and listened to somebody talk for 36 minutes -).

[@JamesW225]

Cant wait to sre you in salt lake in april. I am pumped up about it!!

[@tahirs]

Very useful video.Thanks a lot.

[@filmic1]

I just finished watching your great interview with Michael Wolch on Winnipeg's Classic 107. Looking forward to following you here. I just started lessons with a Spanish trained Brazilian fellow. Thank you for your insight here. Will try to glean as much as I can as I progress. I'm an old guy with old fingers, but no arthritis, je vais profiter le meilleur q'est que possible, je peu. Thank you. Sub'd.

[@lindatsardakas]

Hi Gohar, Thank you for a very interesting video. I'm looking forward to your concert at the Summer School coming up in June!

[@GoharVardanyan]

Linda Tsardakas thank you! Looking forward to finally meeting you in person!!!

[@johnglavey808]

I just spent a very enjoyable half hour listening to you. As a 70 year old therapist i have no hesitation in complimenting your beauty , honesty and your ability to communicate.

[@GoharVardanyan]

Thank you John! I’m glad you enjoyed it and hopefully found something helpful 😀

[@tsuarezpis]

Very useful. thx for sharing!!!!

[@epserps5055]

She’s spectacular!

[@RodTDavies]

Most enjoyable thank you

[@ovidiudanutmanciu9331]

Hi, Gohar! So, i ve just seen this video of yours. I bought a guitar for my 7y old daughter but gave up on her sadly because she is all about playing with toys and other kids with very little focus for the guitar. But seeing you telling the story about how you were as a child, i recognized my daughter and the fact that your father kept insisting was inspiring to me. I always thought that artists like you were magicaly drawn to guitar and never did anything else. So thank you for the video, i ll give it another shot with my daughter:)

[@GoharVardanyan]

Oh no, I was definitely bribed into this hahaha… I mean what kid will leave playing with friends to practice guitar lol

[@noo6889]

Shes just a kid, people can find their passion later on in life and perhaps even wish they had started sooner, but let her find what she likes and pursue that.

[@Philrc]

a beautiful guitar

[@vahagnvardanyan5392]

shat hetaqrqir er Gohar jan shnorhakal em

[@wno1043]

On your recommendation, I just ordered a set of those RC Recital stings, because I just opened my guitar case, and the D sting was broken & I don't have a spare set. They were D'Addario Hard Tension. I decided to go with the medium tension and see if I like them better. I've been using HT for years, because someone recommended them. Time for a change, and I think I'll like the sound better.

[@aneudiomar]

Hermosa y brillante ❤

[@rhr7799]

🎶You are awesome!👍🌹🎶

[@jaguar5802]

I'love you gohar

[@humbertocolacio428]

Demais!

[@Andique1]

The guitar has the same details as the "Virtuoso" by Dieter Hopf from germany.

[@hughgurney3022]

Thanks Gohar, I agree with just about everything you have said. Regarding free stroke and rest stroke, I prefer rest stroke most of the time. I use rest stroke for Baroque including JS Bach, however there are times when rest stroke is not appropriate. Who was your teacher? How do you play rubato?

[@ebookpioneers]

A carbon 3rd string is great for balancing out a set though and taking the tubbiness out of that string.

[@ach777]

This is great -- really interesting and useful. Thanks! (Looking forward to learning more from you at CCG in June).

[@ussdfiant]

I'll be there as well!

[@GoharVardanyan]

See you guys there!!! :)

[@rabindramani]

First of all, I like the way you say your name, it's damn cute. Secondly, thank you for all the lessons. They have been really helpful and you have been inspiring. Best Wishes!!!

[@MrNurutomo]

Hi Gohar, I'm Indonesian, I like you for the sharing knowledge of classical guitar. May I know how you memorize the long song scores of classical guitar ? thanks

[@surfa05]

Thanks for all those tips!!....do you think tha its usefull to learn flamengo techniques like abanico...etc....beside learning slurs....tremolo...arpeggio....? Or its better to learn them leater...? Cheers!

[@charliev.9603]

That was a great intimate Q&A with frank, insightful answers and perspective. I wanted to know what version of Primavera Portena you play with the walking bass which I dont see/feel in the Baltazar Benitez version? Thanks, You are a wonderful teacher and performer.

[@GoharVardanyan]

Thank you! It is actually Baltazar Benitez's version. Primavera Porteña I didn't change anything. In the Verano Porteño I added a some bases. I don't think I did that with Primavera, I feel like it already had enough notes :) haha

[@dkstott29]

I'm curious about the life of the RC bass strings. Do they last as long as the Savarez Cantiga basses??

[@user-wj3of1ep1o]

Красивая!

[@scottrobinson9752]

Have you ever played an electric guitar... such as a Fender or Gibson? And do you ever play other stuff just for fun (Pop, Rock, Blues, etc.....)?

[@pynshngainpale1348]

Excuse me Miss. G, do we have to change the strings in every two week? n if not, for how long we can use the same strings?

[@rabirabi7926]

hi Gohar Vardanyan , could i ask you if your classical guitar is 650 mm scale and 52 mm Nut Width? and if yes could you play classical guitars with 664 mm scale and 54 mm Nut Width easly? cause i'm planning to change my standard classical guitar to a 664 mm scale and 54 mm Nut Width but i don't have the possibility to try it.

[@user-oy3rb6bt4f]

Dear Gohar, You and that guitar are a match made in Heaven. You said you bought it a year after it was made. It's amazing to me that such a wonderful instrument wasn't long gone. Some friends to whom I have given links to your videos are very curious about how you came to have that guitar. Did you know about Jean Rompré and seek him out (in which case, how did you know about him, because I am familiar with a lot of luthiers, and I didn't know about him until you started using his guitar), or did he know about you, or did you have a mutual friend? In any case, we are all glad you got such a magnificent instrument. Also about that guitar: was the golpeador your idea, or was it already on the guitar? My guess is that it was not, in which case, what did Jean Rompré think about the idea? I could imagine that he might not have been fond of the idea right off, but clearly the sound doesn't suffer at all or at least not significantly. The sound you get is as good as I have ever heard. As good as the Rompré guitar is, don't you need a backup guitar, just for last-minute emergencies? In which case, do you have another Rompré? When Sabicas was asked what is the hardest thing about playing flamenco guitar, he said "Making it sound easy." You make it sound easy, so it's interesting to hear your own challenges. They are not visible/audible in the performance. But in the end, lots of great guitarists play this repertoire beautifully, but you go beyond that: you bring it to life. Thank you for everything you do to bring all this beauty into our lives! Regards, John

[@GoharVardanyan]

Hi John, Thank you for the kind words. To answer your questions - I saw and tried the guitar at the GFA in 2013. I did not know of him, nor he of me. I just tried a bunch of guitars by different luthiers and chose this one. The golpeador is static cling, it's removable whenever I want, but I doubt he would care either way. And, no, the sound isn't effected, I haven't noticed a least bit of difference with it being on or off. I do have another guitar, I don't play it much, but there is a back up, it's my old 2003 German Vazquez Rubio. I hope I didn't miss anything. Thank you for watching and sharing my videos! It's nice to know people are enjoying them. Best, Gohar

[@user-oy3rb6bt4f]

@@GoharVardanyan Thanks for the information! But now you've made me curious about how you got the German Vasquez Rubio! At Jorge Strunz's recommendation, I had German refinish my 1994 Pedro Maldonado (flamenco rubia), and he charged about half what I was expecting, and the guitar came back looking better than when I bought it new directly from Maldonado (shipped from Malaga to Los Angeles). I'm afraid the original golpeador was a bit loose around the edges and just got more loose over the years. German's new one was perfect. I hadn't heard about static-cling golpeadores; sounds like a great idea. I enjoyed my visits to German's shop in L.A. (I live in Santa Monica). Did you get your Vasquez there? By the way, one of the many things I like about your Rompré is that it has your last initial on the side just below the neck, a nice big "V" in the beautiful wood pattern. Have you noticed that? It just shows that that guitar was made for you! Regards, John

[@Gordito158]

Where did your dad learn c.g.? Was he a public performer?

[@113A]

@04:46 “change your strings every 2 weeks”... I change mine every 2 years... on the early side.. 🤣👍

[@webworm13]

You are an inspiration! I don't know if I missed something in the video. What are the Spanish waltzes you refer talk about? You are totally captivating. Thank you

[@GoharVardanyan]

Thank you!!! I was referring to Valses Poeticos by Enrique Granados :)

[@webworm13]

Got it!@@GoharVardanyan

[@emic1502]

you belong to the great

[@jerryfischkes1536]

I have been playing for about 50 years and have become a pretty good player. One question which I don't think I have heard addressed is this: Assuming one has learned a piece and can play it for memory and have overcome technical issues, where should the conscious mind be focused during a performance? In other words, do you think ahead several measures visualizing your next move, or do you trust everything to muscle memory? Thanks for your videos. Ever in the Los Angeles area?

[@GoharVardanyan]

It's both. In slow sections, you can think ahead and visualize what's coming ahead, not too many measures ahead though... In fast sections, it's more like gestures when you play. When it's too fast you can't think of every note you're playing, that's left to the muscle memory to take care of, but your brain should know the general gestures that are coming up.

[@jerryfischkes1536]

@@GoharVardanyan Thanks so much.

[@cmiracapo546]

when it's time to change strings in ur opinion do u change all cuz people say that leaving the trebles and just switch out the bass strings is smart cuz they say trebles sounds better as they get broken in woold like ur opinion please Gohar ........ CMIRA🎼 oh by the way u play well its such a precious gift isn't to just pick up any guitar and start conversing with it there's nothing better in the world

[@ahmadkh3588]

What is the name of your guitar

[@simondupreelagak2445]

Do you teach classical guitar on line? From Sarawak Borneo.

[@samiralabed9232]

how much it cost a guitar like yours with this beautiful unique wood ?

[@GoharVardanyan]

His guitars are anywhere between $8000-10000 USD I believe, depends on the wood, construction, etc...

[@lavios162]

ive seen to date

[@michaelnaughton592]

How do you eliminate string squeaks besides technique?

[@KevinToine]

There are special strings where the squaks are reduced. They do cost more and are mostly used for recording.

[@nebovas9432]

Regal that you are showing is not medium tension, it is hard tension.

[@GoharVardanyan]

They might be marketed as high tension strings, but when you play them, they don't feel hard tension at all, compared to hard tension strings from other companies. :)

[@scottsteele4919]

I like your hair!!! It makes you!

[@themusiccovenant]

Goddess

[@tompagianteras]

ΜΠΡΑΒΟ ΚΟΠΕΛΑΡΑ ΜΟΥ !

[@murestal]

Pretty guitar, pretty performer.

[@classicalguitarprogressjou9104]

murestal 一

[@MrBuion]

it's interesting to hear that you were a normal kid, lots of musicians from China or Russia were forced to play 8-10 hours a day and you can feel, that they cannot interact with people in a normal way. Good to see that you can still be normal and such a good musician :-)

[@edward2359]

Wonderful teaching, however..... please, please have someone master your audio for all your presentations. Most of the viewers will not always be wearing headphones. You dialog isn't nearly loud enough for a mobile device or Laptop. I know your not wearing a LAV mic, buit it would be much better to have to turn down the volume on our devices rather then have it max and not be able to hear well a few steps a way from a MACPRO laptop.

[@vladimirkarpov3249]

hpartucyn!!!

[@paulinomarcos8282]

Goahr no te entiendo nada de inglés. Pero si puedes traducir. Eres una estrella. La familia se acabará. Y no tendrás nada. La que puedas. Obtenerpor ti misma. Es lo que tendrás.

[@PLKN70]

Hi Gohar. What microphone do you use for recording?

[@GoharVardanyan]

Studio-Pax Rode video pro

[@senjinomukae8991]

You're a beautiful woman Gohar.

[@alejandroarmentacorrea4480]

conosco muchos guitarristas que no tienen la suerte de adquirir un instrumento de esa categoria y son grandes virtuosos que no le piden nada a los estranjeros ya consumados ,desgraciadamente no tiene la oportunidad de tener una guitrarra de concierto ya que el 40 % es la guitarra y el resto el artista.

[@K-Viz]

That looks like a very expensive guitar.

[@jeanphilippelandry8295]

A girl talking about guitar strings, awesome.