10 Classical Guitar Lessons for Beginners

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

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[@paulhann3288]

All good advice. I have played violin as an amateur for 45 years and taught, but now I am learning classical guitar as a retirement hobby, and your advice is very constructive and useful. Thanks

[@thatdiyguyraymondmonk1225]

I love how your not trying to tell me I can play for my friends in just a few days. Your not trying to give me unrealistic expectations…. Thanks.

[@rnklv8281]

Thanks for making your video lessons available to everyone. For me playing the guitar is a "therapeutic hobby", something I enjoy.

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Thanks for watching!

[@martynb901]

There are so many slick, gimmicky videos out there and this is helpful, natural and from the heart and a refreshing change. Thanks!

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gregg5557]

Many thanks! I took classical guitar lessons years ago and recently started playing again. You are contributing immeasurably to my journey of rediscovery!

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Thanks for watching!

[@bethelgospeloutreachminist9068]

Thanks for the great advice. As I said in one of your other videos, I have played seriously for over thirty years, primarily Gospel music. My beginning years were, however in playing rock music. I have always enjoyed fingerstyle guitar, being a fan of Phil Keaggy, Steve Howe, Steve Hackett, etc. You, sir, are “teaching this old dog” some “new “ skills. I love being a “ Church musician,” but I want to be the best that I can be! Godspeed, Professor!

[@dsouchon]

Thank you. This is the best talk I have heard about music practice in 47 years. Thank you so much.

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Glad it was helpful!

[@steveb9325]

Actually these 10 things are excellent advise for all guitarist/musicians. (Make applicable to whatever instrument you play or sing) Well done. Thank you

[@Zoro_2468]

Very helpful. Loved it. Thank you!

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Glad it was helpful!

[@robertoguitarraclasica1814]

I revisit this video from while to while, it keeps me on track! Thanks teacher!

[@TristanJ-IMadeThis]

So right about small adjustments. So many times, I've put my guitar in the closet and then later on Craig's List because it felt so uncomfortable to play, but then when I got it out to tune it before I sell it, I realize, hey, this is more comfortable. It's all about finding the right posture for you and making adjustments as you go, and not playing in a certain posture that doesn't feel comfortable to avoid being sore the next day. I have short, sausage fingers, not long spider fingers, so I have to pay closer attention to my wrist and make sure I am not bending or contorting my wrist or forearms when I play. Once I get the right posture, and I am making the notes and able to play the song, I feel so gratified. It's worth the effort.

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Yes, it is indeed worth the effort. I think the important factor is to have a technique routine that includes all the main techniques used in playing and make sure the guitar position works for all those techniques. And, of course, this will change over time as we advance and age so it's a lifelong experiment!

[@laysbritto]

Hello Professor Bradford! Excellent video! I really liked it, lots of valuable tips. As a beginning student, I must say that choosing a good time of day to practice guitar is more essential than we imagine. I was doing my training at the end of the day, but I realized that mental and physical fatigue greatly interfere with the quality of my practice, regardless of my willpower. So here's a tip for students... I'm going to try new schedules. I loved all your tips!! Gratitude!!

[@Glenno54]

Solid advise! As a beginner these tips have had a positive impact on all aspects of my guitar practice and learning. Thanks Bradford 👍

[@rickheasman8547]

I have been playing classical guitar for several years , long enough to acquire many bad habits . I now have your technique book and with your lessons am completely revising my technique esp the ergonomics of the left hand .Revisiting the very early stages is paying dividends when playing more advanced pieces. The comprehensive knowledge you have and the clarity with which you teach is a truly valuable resource. Thank you.

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Thanks so much for the kind words and I'm glad you've found the site helpful!

[@tanyafillbrook35]

Thank you. I am just beginning. Good advice.

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Glad it was helpful!

[@johngabriana7154]

Thank you for helping people learn the beauty of music through the guitar. I started playing when i was 14 years old. Now im 32 and i realized how much time i wasted not playing. So now I'm trying to get back.

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Thanks for watching. Enjoy getting back into it!

[@jackiehunsaker4819]

I've just found this page. I have been trying to find my guitar niche. . I stared with a steel string and got along well. But it really didn't seem like me. Now backtracking. I shoot archery. And i started with a compound bow. .. And i got Very good with it as well. But i felt no connection to the string. I just bought a pawn shop classical guitar. And as soon as my fingers touched the strings. Well i bought it. .. Your video reminded me about how the body knows or the ear hears or feels. The right frequency. .. Thank you for that.

[@jackiehunsaker4819]

And by the by. I ended up trading my compound bow for a recurve. .. It. Really is the feel of the strings. Ya know. . you can make them dance if you want to. Or sing high and pure. .. Thanks again. . most greatful.

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Ha, nice. Have you read Zen in the Art of Archery?

[@shihtzumom4492]

That’s exactly my experience

[@henrypagan6657]

Wow your so right. With time it will get better. Thank you.

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Glad you found it helpful.

[@garydrainville3986]

Thanks for posting this! Very helpful.

[@johnjomp]

Awesome advice!!

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mojgansaeb5366]

really appreciate for all videos sharing us .

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Thanks for watching.

[@jameszz6424]

feel so lucky to find out this web page, excellent, thank you so much

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@denniswade4998]

Thank you for such valuable solid advice! I am looking forward to working through it all and learning to apply it all as I learn to play! As a new beginner I have been thinking a lot about how to approach this, and there are two things that have really stood out. The first is that I immediately saw how important it will be to approach it as a hobby, and not just as a goal. Both are important, but if I am not enjoying the day-by-day practice times it increases the chance of discouragement. A hobby is something that you love just for the doing of it, and that is what I want. The second thing is that as I practice and learn proper technique, i also want to take time to learn some pieces that I really love and that touch my heart. Playing pieces just to be able to have better technique is necessary for growth, but I also want to learn how to express the soul of a piece, and I think that will include choosing pieces that move my soul. Just the other day I came across a video of a classical guitarist playing "Yesterday Once More" by The Carpenters, and she played it with such feeling that all of the beauty and melody came across. Although I love so much of the classical repertoire, I do think that taking the time to learn other "more popular" songs that speak to my heart will be of immense benefit in so many ways. I have just found your free pdf of "Classical Guitar Method Book Vol. 1" to start with, and want to say "Thank You" for making this available. I have a strong feeling that I will be looking into more of your course in the future!

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Glad you found the video beneficial. Yes, no one course will have all the music to inspire you so students should indeed seek out additional repertoire to play.

[@0ioiuibgfg]

your idea on learning guitar actually applies to a range of things, being resilient with pain hurts feeling. now I am seriously thinking about what you said.

[@raularmas1719]

I agree with the instructor/speaker...there IS so much minutiae to verbal instruction of what should arguably be a largely physical act of correct/comfortable posture while playing a classical guitar to the progressively best of your ability. I want to recommend anyone who reads this should also take a look at the book the Inner Game of Tennis or more specifically, the Inner Game of Music.

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

I really like those books, lots of great inspiration there.

[@the-jr-joker6161]

A big merci from Belgium !!

[@erikRR]

Thank you

[@TheJonci0322]

Thank you.

[@simplygroove]

A huge thank’s for all your great pedagogical work i’m waiting for your 3 books from amazon

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Hope you enjoy the books!

[@simplygroove]

@@Thisisclassicalguitar yes i’m sure i’m not a complete beginner i worked with Parkening’s books 1,2

[@delalia2743]

Thanks, that's great ! Shame I couldn't put more thumbs up ! ! ! Greetings from Paris :)

[@jpb5385]

Great advice!

[@tarzanjangglepeople7230]

Thank you for your video sir💖

[@unknownyoutuber7771]

I am interested in learning classical guitar. Waiting for my classical guitar to be delivered. Will be traveling by bicycle with camper soon. Wanted something fun to learn for breaks. Looking forward to this experience!

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Hope you enjoy it.

[@unknownyoutuber7771]

@@Thisisclassicalguitar Got my classical guitar yesterday. Put new strings on it. Tuned it. Then watched some of your beginning videos on your site. The essential ones. Learning how to read notes again. Last time I read them I was playing the piano over two decades ago. And learning right hand playing. So far, I am enjoying it. Thanks for your site!

[@BridgetMermikides]

Excellent! I love your teaching approach, thank you. 👏👏😁

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Thank you! 😃

[@thomasdude2082]

Very good avice for beginner, wish i got these tip in my early days of.my learning. I had to correct myself from my self taught guitar lesson, and they could have been avoided had I found your tips before.

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sujayanarula3913]

Valuable suggestions, thank you so much😊🙏🏽universal conception is what I aim at by listening to different genres of music while treating myself with snacks n coffee/tea...love every minute I get to spend on my Guitar👏🏼thanks to you and KZbin😄

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Thanks for watching!

[@laysbritto]

Professor, I really appreciate the advice about slow training that you said in the video. I'm a beginner and I started to notice that sometimes I start to do the exercises faster and with less patience, it's not productive and it's a sign of anxiety or physical tiredness... as you said very well in the video, it's not worth it. I really liked everything you said in this video. About learning music history, I found a collection of books by Roy Bennett. You know? It is good? And about listening to music... could you write a list of recommendations that I can look for? Thank you very much.

[@steveg2277]

what is the song at 5:45??

[@SpaceWolfHudson]

"You have to watch out for things that you're doing that might be a little bit weird" is generally good advice, not only for guitar technique :D Jokes aside, thanks for these lessons :)

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Thanks for watching!

[@winnmarr6840]

one thing is nice to imitate is the cello , playing expecially on the right side of the guitar, lower strings, so that the left hand kind of bends and moves like on the cello board

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Yes, cello is a great model, especially for vibrato.

[@djartfilms]

Thank you very much for all you intellegent and well considered videos. I am a mature guitarist who has always played non classical music by ear. I have recently taken up classical guitar. Other than chord boxes, learning pieces from a page is new to me. I can learn from tabs well but, how important do you think it is to read music? Should I now take the time to learn? Many thanks in advance.

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Well, it's the language of music so it really opens up worlds of music and knowledge to you and organizes music. But ya, it takes a little bit o time to learn.

[@gianpietropurpura1331]

Vorrei sapere dovo posso trovare lo spartito dell'ave.maria di schubert come l'hai suonata tu grazie

[@ABigDoggy]

i loved what you added about basically having a well rounded ear for different music. but I would maybe add more and say, dont limit yourself to classical. i think you sort of added to that later. good stuff!

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Ya, diversity is very helpful.

[@mepronoy]

Would love to see you play rock songs on a classical guitar!

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Well, I did grow up playing a lot of metal on the side.

[@mepronoy]

@@Thisisclassicalguitar that comment blew my mind!

[@careydixon8189]

Slowing technique is indeed key.

[@gabrielmendiola7846]

Hello, beginner here and wondering if you have a playlist from your beginning session all the way through all your lessons. Thanks

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Hi, check out my lesson page: www.thisisclassicalguitar.com/lessons/ There is also lists describing where to start and how to use my educational series.

[@gabrielmendiola7846]

@@Thisisclassicalguitar This is awesome, I have already started practicing! Keep up the good work and let me know where I can contribute. Thanks

[@abhinavbanerjee9649]

Which is the piece that you played throughout the video? It is beautiful.

[@javierhernandezdiaz7695]

Lágrima, Francisco Tárrega. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJDHk4iCbrlnj8k

[@bikerchick1x]

I have just subscribed to your channel..hoping to enjoy your teaching of volume 1 beginners..how long should a beginner practice for daily thanks again 😊

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Follow the book and lesson in order via the list: www.thisisclassicalguitar.com/free-classical-guitar-method-book-pdf/ 15-20min is plenty for an absolute beginner.

[@artiverma6932]

What's the name if this piece?

[@maxbespalov]

I'm here for this 14:25

[@karatekid3153]

Do we look at classical price with chord progressions?

[@SmellsYemmy77]

I have a question, Sometimes I stroll into Spanish style play with a flamenco strumming style, is it possible to play flamenco on a classical guitar? My guitar has high action is the issue. Most tutorials require low action yet I Don’t know exactly how to lower the action or risk it, but my guitar has an adjustable truss rod.

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

You can certainly play flamenco music on a classical guitar, at least for now. Maybe down the road when you are more advanced you can consider a specific flamenco guitar if you want. If the action on your guitar is working well for the guitar right now just leave it. If it's too high even for your classical guitar work you should bring it to a luthier or store. Maybe a new saddle or nut is needed. The truss rod can help but only a tiny amount as it is meant to keep the neck straight rather than specifically adjust the action.

[@Ded-Miron]

I have a quastion. Can you tell me wich material do you have under your guitar. I have a Problem of sliding guitar when i am playing in Jeans. Thanks for Video and for your Job...

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Shelf Liner - This is the black cloth (foam) you see in my videos between my leg and the guitar to keep it from slipping. You can see all my gear with links to amazon here: www.thisisclassicalguitar.com/classical-guitar-store-reviews/

[@elgrogg]

A design for life

[@NinjaKing878]

What was the song you started playing I heard you say something along the lines of “lagretha”

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

Lagrima: www.thisisclassicalguitar.com/lagrima-by-tarrega-free-pdf/

[@thekovacsfiles5321]

Is Point 5 supposed to make sense to me? I can't figure out what it's about at all.

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

5. Dive deeper into musicality (6:55​) - Students can get super caught up in their own technique and progress but remember to strive for better phrasing, dynamic shaping, and overall musicality.

[@thekovacsfiles5321]

@@Thisisclassicalguitar I heard it fine. I just have no idea what it means. I found the other suggestions helpful. But what on earth is phrasing? dynamic shaping? Overall musicality???

[@pranav0506]

Is it okay can we play classical with acoustic guitar

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

You can but you'll find it a little different in sound and you might have to use a different posture depending on your guitar.

[@KunchangLeeMusic]

👏

[@robdonell9915]

Hi, I’m finding my left arm tires in a few minutes when maintaining this posture.

[@jzgamer3284]

I'm not an expert (2 years experience with a teacher), but I'd say you have to relax. Only apply pressure where it counts, and drop your shoulders.

[@salpetre4502]

thank you

[@Thisisclassicalguitar]

You're welcome, hope you found it helpful.