🎯 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
- Pick your etude – Choose one that excites you and challenges you. Not sure where to start? Ask the community for suggestions!
- Share your goal – Tell us what you're working on and what you want to achieve (clean run-through, memorization, performance tempo, etc.)
- Post your progress – Upload short clips, practice notes, or reflections as you go. We want to see the process, not just the polish.
- Engage – Listen to what others are working on, leave encouragement, and trade practice tips!
17 replies
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Here are two short Carlevaro Microestudios No. 11 & 12 which I recorded a few months ago. Coming to you from beautiful Oporto, Portugal.
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Gilardino Sudi #24.1 Prelude. 2nd attempt
This is an improvement over the first attempt. I was able to minimize the blunders and lapses of memory (excepting the very end!!!) and my tone is better, though much still needs to be done on that count. I think I'll have a completed version by the end of the challenge.
I am also beginning another Gilardino (completely different in character) and hope to post a couple of Sor etude revivals. We'll see.
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Sor op 35 No 22 second version and Alexander Vinitsky Jazz Etude No 3
After uploading my first attempt on Sors study op 35, 22 and discussing some fingerings with my tonebase mentor, I have worked on the study again and now I present my second version.
I also upload a recording of a jazz etude by Alexander Vinitsky, published in the booklet "Jazz etudes and exercises for classical guitar" in 2004 by Melbay. The etudes are quite challenging because of the rhythms and the "unusual" chords. Etude No 3 is one of the easier ones.
I hope you enjoy... -
Hi, i am a bit late for this Challenge. I try to get Brouwers study No 6 a bit smoother. Suggestions are welcome. I also work on a study by sergio assad but did not have time yet to record it.
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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!
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Très bien, Bach a joué magnifiquement dès le matin — la journée s'annonce bonne.