Tips and Advice for Beginner Classical Guitarists
YouTube Video Link
This video is part of my free online curriculum at the lesson archive page. This is a lesson for beginner classical guitarists. We’ve already looked at the sitting position, left and right hand technique, so now I just want to give a few words of advice before you move on to more lessons. Below the video you’ll see the list of tips I mention in the video. Find more articles at the Lesson Archive Page. For free lessons, sheet music, and pro videos join the Email Newsletter. Help support the site & free lessons by Sharing, Caring, and Subscribing.
More Tips for Beginners
Repeat these tips to your teacher each week until completely memorized.
General Advice
- Music is special so always play thoughtfully and with musical feeling
- Music is easy but requires daily practice to improve
- Enjoy fixing your mistakes and solving problems
- End each practice session with a piece you can play well
Practice Tips
- Practicing is problem solving (not just playing)
- Always check your technique before playing
- Carefully consider fingering and instructions before playing
- Practice the music slowly at first (half speed or less)
- Practice difficult parts slowly and repeatedly in small sections
Sitting Position (see full article)
- The head of the guitar is at eye level (guitar is at 45º angle)
- Feet flat on the ground and footstool
- Face of guitar straight up and down (not angled back)
- Relax shoulders and neck
Right Arm & Hand (see full article)
- Right arm touches the guitar just in front of the elbow
- Right wrist is straight with a relaxed arch
- Right hand plays above the rosette
- Right hand fingers move into the palm, not up and away
- Right hand thumb is in front of the fingers
Left Arm & Hand (see full article)
- Left wrist is straight, not over-extended
- Left palm and knuckles are parallel with the strings
- Left hand thumb is vertical and behind 2nd finger
- Left hand fingers are curved and on fingertips
- Left hand fingers play very close to the fret
Check out my educational book series
- Classical Guitar Method – Vol. 1, with Video Lessons, 100 pages, Free PDF
- Classical Guitar Method Vol. 2, with Video Lessons, 89 pages.
- Classical Guitar Technique: Essential Exercises, Scales, & Arpeggios
- 20 Favorite Exercises, includes notation and TAB, Video lessons
I have a dedicated beginner lesson page as well.
