Free Method Book Video Lessons
Beginner Etudes (Melody with Open Bass Accompaniment)
No. 5 – Waltz
No. 6 – Allegro
No. 7 – The Lonely Dogwood
No. 8 – Prelude
Free PDF Method Book & Lesson List: Classical Guitar Method Vol. 1
Youtube Video Link (4k Quality)
These pieces cover melodies with open bass string accompaniment and arpeggios. The main goal is sit and hold the hand properly and learn to present music from start to finish. Various other skills are also discussed. Make sure you’ve covered the previous lessons first. Find the rest of the video lessons here and subscribe to my weekly newsletter for pro videos, lessons, and sheet music.
Good day!
When playing the melody with the bass notes I find that my right hand is hovering above the strings and less stable (and more tense as a result). Up till this point of the course I was able to keep my right hand thumb planted firmly on a string. Could the problem be with my sitting position or is it something to just get used to? I am also wondering how the thumb should be used to correctly pluck a string.
Thank you I have really been enjoying the course!
In the event that you are in the correct sitting/guitar position, the contact point of the right forearm on the guitar should create enough stability to hover the hand over the strings. However, yes, it is common after so much single line material with the thumb planted that not having rested will feel unstable. Do you practice the technique exercises at the back of the book daily? In particular the arpeggios?
Hi Bradford,
Is there a missprint on page 40 ; etude number 6 on 3rd row? It starts with Index although on 2nd row the melody finishes also with Index. You advice not to repeat the fingers for the melody.
I asked also on Youtube – I don’t know if you still read comments on old videos.
The book is correct. The three thumb notes is more than enough reset time. You can also think of it as alternation with the thumb.
Hi Bradford,
Why do you use alternation for the melody in Etude 5. Given that the melody uses only single notes couldn’t one use a p-p-i pattern throughout?
Either fingering is just fine since the fingers alternate with the thumb. Because students often don’t always alternate in general I used it here to keep that idea going. I recommend practicing both ways just to make sure you can do both!
Hello.
I usually play along with a metronome. Whats’ your thoughts on that?
Also at what speed would you consider a beginner should handle? I understand it’s different for different songs, but take Etude 6 & 7 for example
Always good to run it with a metronome a few times. Any speed is okay for now, just focus on relaxation and accuracy.