"Beginners Forum" Invitation
I wonder if there are other newer classical guitarists who would like to discuss learning and repertoire. I am "technically" Grade 2 - which means I passed a Grade 1 examination, but I still feel so new to classical guitar.
My beginning questions for anyone willing to join in this discussion:
1. Did you complete the Tonebase Beginning Guitar course, part 1?
2. Did you take any examination(s)?
3, What's on your music stand? (sorry - stolen from Martin Z.)
4. What do you believe is your biggest challenge with classical guitar?
5. What piece(s) would you like to be playing in a year?
6. What guitar(s) are you playing right now?
7. What guitar would be your dream guitar?
Cheers! Michelle P.
37 replies
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Have you looked at the the SICCA line of classical guitars? They are in your price range and look promising in term of quality. They price is between 1000 and 2500 euros. I own a Hippner Hasuer 1939 model. Find the playability exceptional and the sound is clear and rich. A few flaws in the finish, but it is all about the sound. also own a Kenny Hill World Player guitar which is in mint condition and would sell for $1500. Check out luither made guitars by SICCA:
https://www.siccasguitars.com/search?q=sicca+luthier+guitars&options%5Bprefix%5D=last
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I am very pleased with my Siccas brand. It was about 2500 euros plus shipping. But, I had to pay a tariff here in the US! Ouch. To FedEx before they would deliver it. It has settled in very well. Tone is true. Wonderful playability. Interesting design with cedar AND spruce on the top. Sides and back are Wenga. Never heard of that before. But glad I made the purchase. It way outclasses my other instruments. . It has been a challenge to rediscover the instrument. Tonebase lessons have been very helpful. Slow and steady. And relax. Thanks for responding. .
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Im a beginner with nearly 4 terms up my belt. I am a mature aged student with very little music education behind me. I know how to read music but cant sight read very well so tend to play be ear. Consequently memorising pieces is essential for me.
I play a Cordoba C10 guitar (made in Spain) with cedar sound board, rosewood case and ebony fretboard. lt has a lovely mellow tone and Im enjoying the experience of playing it.
I live in Canberra (Australia's national capital) and I'm currently learning Spanish Romance to perform at the Street Theatre in mid July.
I recently watched the tonebase instruction video for Spanish Romance which has accelerated my learning overnight! I have just about perfected the barre chords in the E major section and now have the technique to be able to change chords rapidly. I still need to perfect the dynamics, technical aspects of fingering and consistency of my chord changes, but I am confident that I will have the piece up to speed well ahead of my deadline. So thank you for the opportunity to try out this site.
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Hi Michelle,
Thank you for posing these interesting questions.
1. Did you complete the Tonebase Beginning Guitar course, part 1?
Yes, and part 2.
To back up a bit, I've been a method book junky since I was a pre-teen (rock, jazz, and classical) but didn't have the funds for lessons. I learned much and developed some well-honed bad habits.
2. Did you take any examination(s)?
No. I was enrolled in an online program for one year that did offer grade level exams. I play for the enjoyment of playing, so my interest is in working through grade level material to develop skills without the stress of being tested.
When I first joined Tonebase a year ago, the assessment put me at level 4. A recent reassessment put me at level 2. I'm happy to works towards higher quality playing on simpler content and then play more advanced content later in the day.
3, What's on your music stand? (sorry - stolen from Martin Z.)
Currently, I'm finishing Werner's Grade 2 Repertoire Lessons as it was in progress when I joined Tonebase; Martin's masterfully presented lessons on Giuliani: Allegro, Op. 50 No. 13 and Carulli: Andantino in G major, Op. 241 No. 5; and Sanel Redzic’s Sagreras: Lecciones De Guitarra.
4. What do you believe is your biggest challenge with classical guitar?
Being at peace while playing slowly for more or less error-free practice. The results of this approach provide the incentive to stay the course.
5. What piece(s) would you like to be playing in a year?
For now, I'll work through the repertoire provided in the Tonebase levels.
6. What guitar(s) are you playing right now?
A Cordoba C10 spruce top with Aquila Alchemia strings which yield a good tonal balance between the treble and bass strings including the G string, which is important as I play without nails!
7. What guitar would be your dream guitar?
This is a reckless and dangerous question to ask someone who has serious case of GAS, gear acquisition syndrome.😄
Of course, a luthier-built guitar with beautiful inlays, etc., but the build quality and playability of the C10 will support my development for many years to come.
There are two valid reasons to justify an additional guitar in the next year or so: a cedar top, and a 51mm nut width and 640 scale. The nut width and scale will be posted as a separate question at a later time. The short rationale is that the finger spread (abduction) of my left hand is a bit tight from years of occupational stresses, so the shorter scale will make one finger per fret alignment more comfortable. The right hand is more comfortable with the wider string spacing provided by a 52mm nut. As it turns out, 50.8mm (almost 51mm) is also a good fit. 50mm is a bit too narrow.