Lesson: Study in B Minor No. 22, Op. 35 by Sor for Classical Guitar

[@davidfelber]

Man, you are my hero these days. I’ve been playing classical piano for about 50 years, and I picked up violin/viola about 15 years ago. I’ve played mandolin, hand percussion, and flute. And of course, guitar... but only self-taught blues, country, and rock’n’roll on a steel string. Classical guitar has always been a “maybe someday” for me... until I bought home a Córdoba 45 Limited, which I couldn’t resist. And for me, it’s perfect. Great resonance and sustain. Adore it. (Good for quarantine, too.) So... now I’m watching your videos with such gratitude for your work. I’m at an age where learning is really critical for good long-term mental health, so this is more than a mere hobby. Your channel is a treasure. I really dig your level of musical effort, working the craft every day, putting in hours of practice... and sharing those riches with the world. So many great videos. You have a thoughtful, patient approach, which is so valuable in a teacher. Thank you so very much. Be well.

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Thanks so much for the kind words, glad you enjoying the videos!

[@brunoisadog]

I have listened to hundreds of versions of this, being slightly obsessed! I think Julian Bream played it brilliantly but your version is also wonderful, and there is a skilfully done lesson as well! Please keep on posting.. I dream of being able to play this piece well. Perhaps after another 40 years of trying. I’m only 59 after all!

[@jimyoung4910]

Fabulous accessible content. Love the carrot and the stick, ten classical etudes provides. I'm sure to be obsessed with thirds and octaves as I nod off to sleep. You leave us on a high note with this beautiful Sor piece. I hope that someday we can look forward to Ten More Classical Etudes in the future. Such a great journey the first go round I long for an encore! Many thanks Bradley.

[@jm960]

Your work is so stellar and I have benefited from it for years. It is time to thank you and to also say that this is one of the best sounding versions of this wonderful study that I know of. I love the tempo, resonance of your guitar, balances, as well as your expression, bravo.

[@Synonomous]

Fabulous, Bradford. I thank you for pointing out and showing how putting the melody out front really changes the way it sounds. I now hear and see many other players play all the notes with the same volume which is much less pleasant to hear. Separating the voices is great advice and is now a focus for me to help improve this piece. So much useful information as usual.

[@Gordito158]

Thank you for putting in the time. For me, it is time well-spent! You have so many great videos to watch and learn from!

[@Gordito158]

Thanks!

[@Дмитрий-м4щ7х]

I like your lesson, because it make my playing better!

[@joseoffir4326]

Hi, excellent sound. Thanks.

[@gracielamateoreig1083]

Thank you! You are a great teacher.

[@guitarsolutionsSFG]

Absolutely marvelous, very musical. Thank you for that.

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Thanks for listening!

[@uris77]

Thank you for this lesson. I've been trying to play this for about a year, and have been struggling so much keeping the harmony under the melody. I've taken a break from it for a bit, but after this lesson I'll pick it up again. Thanks again.

[@charlieyirka1051]

Finally relief from that earworm! Gotta play tis one. 🙏

[@joshwoods7641]

In Sor's method book, he says he almost never uses his ring finger, so that's probably why it's easier to play like that. :^) I found that for me the easiest way to play this, since it's almost all 8th notes in 3/4 time, was to set the metronome to 99 bpm, then counting 1+2+3+, play it somewhat quietly and accent the 1 and the 3 to bring out the melody.

[@cheeseandnachosgamin]

Just started learning this Etude, video really helped. Thanks!

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Glad it was helpful!

[@colink4823]

Excellent. who gives a thumbs down? Philistines!

[@ahmadkh3588]

Great lesson

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Thanks!

[@notacpu5321]

I have a book that's telling me to use rest strokes to bring out the melody. Do you do this? Is it an egregious sin to not? Rest strokes feel so clunky and odd.

[@melcrose]

Wish I was good enough to play these: someday. Can't wait till the next teaching book comes out, Vol 2 is amazing.

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

I'll working on Volume 3 over the spring break, hopefully out soon but can't rush it!

[@WansbeckBikecam]

Great lesson. Thanks

[@turgutgumus4958]

A nice tutorial. Thanks...

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

My pleasure, hope it helps.

[@senjinomukae8991]

Thank you, so beautifully played. It inspires me to try and play this. Can you please make a video on how to develop the ability to use vibrato? I'm struggling with this. Maybe other people might be as well. Thank you.

[@marlonjohnfreyburger6242]

Magnifique, 👍🏼❤️

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Thanks for watching!

[@Trinhthenhan58]

I like your guitar.

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Thanks!

[@WilliamDavidHobbs]

Easiest book purchase I ever made. And your point about the second last note leading to the tonic being important? Yes. Yes. Yes.

[@eksjoker]

Thanks for a good video. I’m looking forward to looking more into my melody feeling. One comment. I noted that you play C# without the 7th. I believe it’s C#7 with the B as part of the bar.

[@jeffpicklo525]

Hi I’ve been working on this for a bit now and have a question on the note values, I’ve often heard it played in almost like straight quarter notes except for the volume of the melody , should the half note / quarter note values be expressed more rigorously ? Thank you.

[@mohamadhasankhabaz8234]

Thank you

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

You're welcome

[@jeffpicklo525]

Beuitful , working on this now But is there anyway to set a metronome to do the melody/ accompaniment timing?

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

The piece has a very stable pulse so just set the metronome to a comfortable speed and keep it steady.

[@phippst100]

Lovely playing. I have tried to place this piece for many years. I find my left hand just gets too stressed and I can't get through the whole piece.

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Well, slow careful practice with a focus on relaxation might help. You can take a look at this lesson: www.thisisclassicalguitar.com/lesson-left-hand-tension-relaxation-exercises-guitar/

[@milanradulovic3915]

I'm trying to analyze this piece first but is soo messy. I have basic theoretical knowledge, but here rhythms and timings don't fit. I mean in this composition...

[@milanradulovic3915]

Ah, as I supposed, there are 3 layers of notes...

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Ya, it's confusing in guitar music with the voices coming and going so it doesn't always look complete. We should really be reading grand stave.

[@mdeveljexplorer6918]

some days i play this better than my expectations..other days it is crap (the phrasing and dynamics).. how do i play it consistently well ? I've been practicing this piece for over a year !!

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Do you practice a well rounded technique routine everyday?

[@mdeveljexplorer6918]

I've just started doing so - listening to your advice on some of your videos. So now I devote time to warm-up, scales (with variations), etudes. Im hoping I won't have to wait another year to see the results :) . Also I have only just started using the metronome. So that should help too. Thanks !

[@notacpu5321]

Thank u

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

You're welcome 😊

[@ianbailey-scudamore9180]

Excellent lesson. My only observation is the piece is being played too fast. That said, the dynamics, phrasing, sostenuto, the balance between the melody and harmonies, hand positions, alternative fingerings were all explained very well. As you say, an elegant piece...

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Really? I feel it is a bit slow! I think even a bit faster would allow the melody to really come out of the texture.

[@JongChoongShyr]

Cordoba C10?

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Yes, I use it for teaching sometimes. I also have a Douglass Scott guitar coming this month.

[@JongChoongShyr]

This is Classical Guitar great, you had just convinced me that even a C10 can go very far. On another note (not pun intended), looking for to seeing the Douglass Scott guitar.

[@etiennelebien5670]

jolie mélodie j'aime!