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LEFT HANDED CLASSICAL GUITARS:
There are very few (if any) left handed commercially bought classical guitar.
Reversing the strings and bridge nut does not solve the problem. The struts and bass bar are placed inside the body of the guitar to enhance the normal position of the strings. Most beginners when placing the guitar on the left knee find it slightly
awkward therefore some left handed beginners automatically place the guitar on the right knee with the strings upside down. Not only is this method awkward to read the music (from left to right) it is also hard for the pupil to follow any directions or
diagrams given on the guitar by the tutor.
The guitarist needs both hands to play therefore both hands have equal priority.
You do not have left handed pianos, keyboards or typewriters for that same reason.
All my dedicated left handed pupils have been able to rest the guitar correctly on the left leg and have achieved the same high results as my dedicated right hand players.
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FOOT STOOLS
can be bought in any reputable music shop. However, any
handy-person can make a foot stool approximately 15cm (6") high. This height is in relation to sitting on a chair 46cm (18") high. The angle of the left leg should be raised by the approximate angle of 20-25 degrees. Old TELECOM BOOKS can be
sellotaped together until the appropriate height is gained.
MUSIC STANDS vary in size and quality from plastic table top stands to hand made duet stands £3.00-£300.00 "Yerpaysyermoney Yermakesyerchoice."
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THE USE OF THE CAPO:
If the pupil finds it hard to reach the nut of the
fingerboard, whilst holding the guitar correctly, I always encourage them to use a CAPO.
The capo is strapped on the fifth (or lower) fret of the fingerboard, therefore enabling the pupils' left arm to feel more comfortable. Playing higher up the fingerboard (with a capo) also helps the pupil to develop a parallel left hand and enables the strings to be pressed down with less effort.
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STRUMMING ON THE CLASSICAL GUITAR:
If pupils wish to learn to strum on the guitar I always feel it necessary for them to first learn the basic techniques
before introducing chord strumming progressions. It is easier to start with single note melodies which develop into two notes which, in turn, develop into three or more notes (i.e. chords) than to spend hours of frustration trying to educate all the left hand fingers to move independently at once.
Many of my serious pupils enjoy combining electric guitar with the classical guitar disciplines and belong to (or organise) Top Of The Pops groups and even combine their classical guitar technique with other fretted instruments i.e. electric guitar, bass guitar, banjo, mandolin, lute etc.
Plenty of four chord strummers cannot play classically
but all classical guitarists should be able to strum
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SHOULD THE STUDENT HAVE ANY MUSICAL TALENT?
The most important talent/s for a pupil are enthusiasm and determination.
Musical talent alone very seldom achieves results.
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WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO START HAVING LESSONS?
The simple answer is when you decide that you would like lessons 6-66 it doesn't matter.
I started having guitar lessons when I was 24yrs old, however I do except pupils as young as six,
if they are strong enough to play the notes and would be able to understand the concept of
notation and the discipline needed to produce any results.
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WHEN DO LESSONS TAKE PLACE?
I visit schools during the week and normally start by 8am and have a timetable that gives a rota for the
participating pupils at each school I visit. My private pupils visit my Studio in Whitstable until 9pm.
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HOW TO IMPROVE SIGHT-READING TECHNIQUES
You could start to improve your sight reading by playing single note melodies.
Keep the crotchet beat as a second by using a metronome marked at 60.
Join a classical guitar society or make friends with other guitarists and get together to play duets trios etc..
Any recorder, flute or violin music would be helpful in reading single note melodies.
Clarinet music is also very helpful as it has the same lower register as the guitar.
(You would not be able to play a duet with a clarinettist as it is not a concert pitch instrument.)
Practice sight-reading music that is two or more grades below your present abilities.
Sight-reading skills are very hard to develop on the guitar however, there is one
consolation that polished players are normally bad sight-readers and good sight-readers
find it difficult to polish a piece of music.
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HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR AURAL SKILLS.
Try to sing any one note on the piano or guitar.
Try to sing more than one random pitched note that is played on the piano or guitar.
Try to sing, hum or whistle the first octave of any scale you practice.
Practice recognising chords on the piano and singing the intervals
with your eyes closed i.e.;
play a 1st 3rd and 5th of any white note and you will play
A major chord i.e. 1-3=4 semitones 3-5 = 3 semitones i.e. (CEG)
A minor chord i.e. 1-3=3 semitones 3-5 = 4 semitones i.e. (DFA)
A diminished chord i.e. 1-3=3 semitones 3-5 = 3 semitones i.e. (BDF)
(An augmented chord i.e. 1-3=4 semitones 3-5= 4 semitones i.e. CEG#
can't be found just using the white notes on the piano.)
Go to my Aural Quizzes.
Join you local choir or choral society.
REMEMBER; Developing you aural technique enhances your playing skills.
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What is a SCALE?
A scale (Latin 'scala' = ladder) is a series of notes ascending or descending, by step, in a set pattern, starting and ending on the same note.
What is an ARPEGGIO?
An arpeggio (Italian = harp like) is a broken chord i.e. each note of the chord played separately.
What is a CHORD?
A chord mainly consists of the 1st (root) 3rd, 5th and occasional 7th etc. of any given note played together.
Why should you practice scales / arpeggios?
Scales and arpeggios are used by musicians (professional as well as amateur) because they are the shortest route to developing and keeping technique. Without technique you cannot play or create music.
Practising scales also increases the recognition of tonality. Many students say to me the first time they play a minor scale that, "It sounds wrong."
I inform them that they have heard nothing yet.
There are PENTATONIC major/minor scales. PHRYGIAN scales. CHROMATIC scales. WHOLE TONE scale, DIMINISHED and AUGMENTED scales/arpeggios.
I always say,
"SCALES make your TUNES flow easily."
((-< I know, my pupils groan as well ;-))
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How many dots does a classical guitarist need?
One dot, on the 7th fret, placed on the side of the guitar fingerboard.
Why only one?
If you make sure your left hand is parallel to the fingerboard, the first 4 frets are accounted for and the 5th is just near the 4th ;))
Why not the 6th fret, half way from the body of the guitar?
This would not be very practical as all the notes on the 6th fret are chromatics, apart from the F on the B string.
By placing the dot next to the 7th fret you become aware that the 7th fret note (apart from the F# of the B string)
is the octave of the string below. (Yes I know there is no 7th string.) This one dot becomes a great guide for playing
in the guitarist's favourite keys of E, A and D. (Major, minor or modal.)
Some players insist on not having a dot, is that a good idea?
By not having a dot as a guide is very brave, especially if you wish to play in front of an audience / teacher.
I very seldom notice my dot when I play, but it is nice to have it there as a back up. ;-))
N.B.
I place dots all over the guitar fingerboard to help my beginners understand where to place their fingers.
They might not be able to see the dots when playing the guitar but it helps them picture the fingerboard when they are practising.
By the time they are working for grades the dots have disappeared ;-))
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What are Trinity College Grade Exams?
All exams consist of :
1. Playing three pieces (One from each section) 60% of marks
2. Scale techniques (Must be learnt by heart). *
Highest marks in this section receive my SCALE AWARD at the next Guitar Concert. 15% of marks
3. Aural perception (explained in lesson) * 10% of marks
4. Sight-Reading:*
Must be able to play a piece by sight that is at least two grades below the exam you are entering. 10% of marks
5. Viva Voce: The examiner will ask questions relating to two of the pieces played.
This is discussed with me, as each grade has its own appropriate detail. 5% of marks
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Where are the exams held?
They are held at the Trinity College Centre at Lee and are normally held on a Saturday, two to three times per year.
(I always attend to cope with last minute flaps and talk to parents;-))
How long do the exams take?
The exam would take 13-40 minutes depending on the grade. (Initial-8)
What is the pass mark?
Grade pass=65-74% Pass with MERIT=75-84% _ Pass with HONOURS=85-100%
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IMPORTANT NOTICE
The pupil must realize that, as the closing date for the exam is
normally two months before the actual exam date,
they must commit themselves to practicing the entire syllabus every day.
Playing at my GUITAR CONCERTS,
and before friends, relations and classmates greatly
increases the pupil's
confidence when playing in front
of an examiner.
*Lower grade pupils can go to my special webpages for help.;-))
More detailed information about
Trinity College
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