🎯 The Etude Challenge: Study Pieces, Serious Progress - Week 4

Attention tonebuddies! It's time to embrace the music that was literally designed to make you a better guitarist. Welcome to The Etude Challenge — four weeks dedicated to the art of the etude!

Etudes occupy a unique place in the classical guitar repertoire. They're technical workouts disguised as beautiful music — pieces that sharpen your skills while rewarding you with something genuinely worth performing. From the elegant simplicity of Carcassi and Sor to the rhythmic brilliance of Brouwer's Etudes Simples, the virtuosic fire of Villa-Lobos's 12 Études, and everything in between — there's an etude out there for every player at every level.

This challenge is your chance to pick one (or more!), commit to it, and share your journey with the community.

🎯 Whether you choose to:

  • Tackle a classic — Sor Op. 35, Carcassi Op. 60, Giuliani Op. 48
  • Go for something bold — Villa-Lobos, Barrios, or Coste
  • Explore the modern side — Brouwer, Carlevaro, or Bogdanovic
  • Revisit an old friend — Polish a piece you learned before and bring it to a new level

…this is your moment to dig in and grow. This challenge is open to all levels — whether you're working through your very first Sor etude or preparing a Villa-Lobos for the stage, you belong here.


📅 Challenge Dates

Start: February 23

End: March 20


💡 How to Participate

  1. Pick your etude – Choose one that excites you and challenges you. Not sure where to start? Ask the community for suggestions!
  2. Share your goal – Tell us what you're working on and what you want to achieve (clean run-through, memorization, performance tempo, etc.)
  3. Post your progress – Upload short clips, practice notes, or reflections as you go. We want to see the process, not just the polish.
  4. Engage – Listen to what others are working on, leave encouragement, and trade practice tips!

103 replies

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    • mgshirk
    • 3 wk ago
    • Reported - view

    video take 2 of Giuliani's Op. 98 No. 4

    Still needs a little work in the C section. Sounds a little muddled to me. Tried to memorize as much as I could. I'll try to post one more by end-of-week. 

      • Eric
      • 3 wk ago
      • Reported - view

       Coming along great, Michael! It sounds very musical, not just like notes on the page.

      • Retired
      • Jack_Stewart
      • 2 wk ago
      • Reported - view

       Really nice, Michael. You have solid command of this piece. 

      • Barney
      • 2 wk ago
      • Reported - view

       Sounds great Michael.  Nice dynamics, color and articulation.  Giuliani's works for guitar sound quite orchestral.

      • mgshirk
      • 2 wk ago
      • Reported - view

       Thanks, the more I look at Giuliani's pieces, the more technical work he presents concerning double stops, string stopping, and isolating melody lines.  Even in his basic pieces, he presents many challenges if you adhere to the score.  

      • Barney
      • 2 wk ago
      • Reported - view

       Yes, I agree the benefit will be gained in clarity and musicality by adhering to those particulars. 

      • Ron.3
      • 2 wk ago
      • Reported - view

      Very nice Michael - well played!

      • Retired
      • Andre_Bernier
      • 12 days ago
      • Reported - view

      Well done. Bravo 👍

    • Ernesto.1
    • 3 wk ago
    • Reported - view

    Sor Op 29 No 24. Part C + end. Settled with the fingering. Next post hopefully I can put all 3 parts together before the challenge finishes.

      • Eric
      • 3 wk ago
      • Reported - view

      Excellent, Ernesto! You're practically home.

      • Retired
      • Jack_Stewart
      • 2 wk ago
      • Reported - view

      Great work, Ernesto. I am looking forward to your presentation of the entire piece.

      • Ernesto.1
      • 2 wk ago
      • Reported - view

      makes me nervous!

      • Barney
      • 2 wk ago
      • Reported - view

       Beautiful Part C and End, Ernesto!  Nice balance of Melody and accompaniment with Lyrical, Legato lines.  I look forward to the whole pice payed toghether.

      • Ron.3
      • 2 wk ago
      • Reported - view

      Well played Ernesto - looking forward to the whole performance!

      • Retired
      • Andre_Bernier
      • 12 days ago
      • Reported - view

       Very nice. Bravo👍

    • Debbie
    • 2 wk ago
    • Reported - view

    Aww! it's ending today! I had some renovation work in my house this week so I'm behind. I was hoping it ended tomorrow as I'm not sure I can get some final practice and recording done today. But the piece has been coming along well and the physical therapy for my hand seems to be helping. Let's see how the rest of today goes and I'll see if I can post something. 

      • Retired
      • Jack_Stewart
      • 2 wk ago
      • Reported - view

       Congradulations, Debbie. It is great to hear that your physical therapy has been (is) successful.

      As to the 'end' of the challenge, I would just keep posting until there is a more tangible reason to stop (whatever that means !🙂)

      • BLaflamme
      • 2 wk ago
      • Reported - view

       Well... the date for the Watch Party is not known at the moment, so I think we can post until then! 

      • Debbie
      • 2 wk ago
      • Reported - view

       and the challenge was just extended by two weeks, I see. Yay!

    • Barney
    • 2 wk ago
    • Reported - view

    I've never played any Regondi Etudes,  so I gave this one a go.  The study has not only scales, slurs, arpeggios, and some nice melodic lines, but also leaps in certain spots.  I have not memorized any sections, and since I'm not  used to reading the whole thing(without looking at the fretboard more ) , there are some flubs.   This is a beautiful study but I would need more time to have an acceptable  interpretation.  I'm posting now it since I probably won't have time to do another recording.

      • Ernesto.1
      • 2 wk ago
      • Reported - view

       Wow! Very inspiring and a very nice warm tone.

      • Barney
      • 2 wk ago
      • Reported - view

      Thanks Ernesto!

      • Retired
      • Jack_Stewart
      • 2 wk ago
      • Reported - view

       Beautiful, Barney. You always maintained such elegant finesse in your playing - even when your reading thru the piece. This is a nice piece. I only have a passing acquaintance with Regondi. Thanks for sharing.

      • Barney
      • 2 wk ago
      • Reported - view

      Thanks Jack! 

      • BLaflamme
      • 2 wk ago
      • Reported - view

       Great to hear you here Barney, this is an excellent take on this study, you now have two more weeks to refine it! 💪

      • Performer, Teacher @Conservatory M. de Falla and member of Nuntempe Ensamble GQ
      • Ariel.1
      • 2 wk ago
      • Reported - view

       great work!! 

Content aside

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