🎯 The Etude Challenge: Study Pieces, Serious Progress - Week 3

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!

32 replies

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    • BLaflamme
    • Yesterday
    • Reported - view

    Hello Tonebuddies, while this is not really a «study» I think there's a lot in it that could be used for! As we were talking a lot about this prelude in previous streams and discussions, I wanted to share my version, a slower one with emphasis on the articulation of the bass line in contrast to the arpeggiated pattern. I also told  I would share it at some point, let me know what you think!

      • BLaflamme
      • 16 hrs ago
      • Reported - view

      Thank you Dale! 🙏

      • BLaflamme
      • 16 hrs ago
      • Reported - view

      Thank you Eric, that makes a great thumb exercise! 😅

      • Ron.3
      • 12 hrs ago
      • Reported - view

       Fantastic performance Blaise! Certainly one of the best versions I've heard!!

      • BLaflamme
      • 11 hrs ago
      • Reported - view

       I'm glad you like it, thank you!

    • michel.2
    • 21 hrs ago
    • Reported - view

    Très bien, Bach a joué magnifiquement dès le matin — la journée s'annonce bonne.

    Quel type de cordes sont utilisées ? Le son est superbe.

      • BLaflamme
      • 16 hrs ago
      • Reported - view

       Merci Michel, c'est un nouveau jeu à l'essaie que j'ai installé il y a 2 jours... Les Knobloch EDB, basses Erithacus et aigues Bio-Nylon, elles sont vraiment intéressantes au son et au toucher.

    • Eric
    • 8 hrs ago
    • Reported - view

    Sor Op 29 No 24 (Mar 13)

    Here it is again. I don't know if it is any better. It just seems to me like about the same quality, but with the mistakes in different places.

Content aside

  • 8 hrs agoLast active
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