Classical Pieces

[Olly]

Hey guys,

As you all know, i am kinda new to the world of Classical Music and Guitar, so i was hoping maybe some of you could tell me of some good pieces of music to start (trying) to play.

Do you think Classical Gas by Mason Williams/Clapton is a little too hard..?

All replies would be appreciated...

Olly

[Jonny Hotnuts]

Olly, play what keeps you playing.

If you really like Classical Gas then play it.
Don’t look at something as too hard.
If you start slow, playing each note and getting every change smooth over time it will get better.
You will not be able to see improvements because they are so slow.
But they happen.
Once you are able to play it, other songs that are at that difficulty level will not be the immense struggle that the first one was, because in working out one song you are really helping develop the skills that will be used in all guitar playing for the rest of your life. Some people will say to start slowly....maybe learn crap like "twinkle, twinkle" or "marry had" but who really want to play that, I think that is why many new players quit.
So play what you (and the ladies!) like to play and hear!

Work out just the first few bars, getting every note correct.
It will seem impossible, but after months of playing the same thing over and over it will come.

There are many good classical songs that are wonderful tools for beginners to develop chops and still sound great.

Try:

Romance de Amour

Metallicas “the unforgiven” [intro until electric] (people will crap when they see me suggest this but it contains many useful classical phrasings, great for beginners)

Adelita - Francisco Tarrega

If you get those mastered then go to:

Canon in D - Johann Pachelbel

Asturias (Leyenda), Op 47 No 5 - Isaac Albeniz


After that there wont be much you cant play without a bit of effort.

Hope this helps

-JH

[edwardcav]

Asturias :shock:

Hey Olly, you reading music? If you are good for you, you've made the right decision. If you aren't, and you've opted for tab, stick with sheet music that little while longer.

There are many places on the web, I think I gave you the links on another post, where you can download free sheet music etc, which would suit your level.

[syl]

Hey Olly, speaking of Classical Gas, isn't it an urban myth that Eric Clapton ever recorded it? I thought Mason Williams did both the solo and orchestrated versions.

[Olly]

I'm not sure Syl, but i have a video of Mason Williams playing Classical Gas, and it looks so easy for him. Shame it isn't as easy for me, lol!

However, I think Asturias is a little over the top at the moment.

Just had my guitar lesson, and the teacher was teaching me some Flamenco, which sounded amazing, so i am trying this song called 'Soleares' which sounds well cool. It isn't too hard, yet it will take some time to play it smoothly...

I just want to thank Jonny Hotnuts (like the name, lol) for the help...

And Ed, I can't read notation yet, but I want to, but i have only been playing for about 2 months, so i will let my fingers adapt to the guitar a little while longer, and improve some more before i start reading music. Oh, and if u could repost the link where i can download free sheet music, i would be very appreciative.

Thx all

Olly

[edwardcav]

Olly I can not streess enough how important it is to read music. I regret it so much to this day how I neglected it.

As far as I know - Soleares is an interesting piece, well definitely not song, rather a flamenco technique which can be varied and built upon once basic flamenco techniques are learnt and muck around the Frijian mode. I just love when flamenco guitar churns out rhytmic trebles and and melodic basses - where in classical and well, nearlly all music, that is the other way around. Good luck, and try to get some rest stroke with your thumb...

Now, to those links.

http://www.flamenco-classical-guitar.com/index.php nice gateway
http://perso.flamenco.free.fr/english/indexe.htm similar gateway
http://www.ctv.es/USERS/norman/david.htm flamenco scores with tab, good guide for beginners
http://www.guitardownunder.com/ a few pieces
http://www.eythorsson.com/ my favourite - methods, studies, graded pieces for 1, 2, 3, 4 guitars, from grades 1-8 wow this is great, USE IT
http://www.delcamp.net/ a nice collection
http://www.acousticguitar.com/lessons/notation/notation.htm print this page out and stick it above your bed head, read it every night, quiz yourself.

Have fun Olly.

[MegaBrawn]

Olly, play what keeps you playing.


Try:

Romance de Amour

Metallicas “the unforgiven” [intro until electric] (people will crap when they see me suggest this but it contains many useful classical phrasings, great for beginners)

Adelita - Francisco Tarrega

If you get those mastered then go to:

Canon in D - Johann Pachelbel

Asturias (Leyenda), Op 47 No 5 - Isaac Albeniz


After that there wont be much you cant play without a bit of effort.

Hope this helps

-JH

Holy cow! Asturias, and Adelita may be abit too hard for a beginner to cope. Adelita is the set piece for Yamaha grade 6 and Asturias is just :shock: