play classical guitar

I’m already into steel string. Bought a classical a learned one of Bachs minuets. Beautiful – his music, not my playing. Aiming to use a tutor next to learn to read music and learn 3 substantial pieces.

I can play campfire song chords on my guitar (Yamaha classical) and I know where the notes are located on the fretboard in first position. I have bad habits, though, and should be working with a teacher – but there’s no time for that and also classical guitar teachers are not numerous around here.

I am using a couple of method books to get me started. Currently reading the intro stuff in Classic Guitar Technique by Aaron Shearer as well as doing the very early exercises in a book called The Complete Classical Guitarist by Jerry Willard. It has a cd and a dvd for help. I’m working this week on exercises 1 to 10 (to page 18): the rest stroke with alternation, the free stroke, and thumb free stroke. Just the basics for me right now – no tunes yet.

This is ongoing,,,,, apparently it takes about 20 years to learn…..1 down 19 to go

I’ve started to teach myself about 3 times now…but I get frustrated with myself and then focus on just playing songs again.. I’d love to be able to play Beethoven and John Williams’ stuff and also spanish type of compositions. It takes dedication though! But I want it bad enough, so someday….