Classical Guitar

[Isaiah Scott]

Just learned that I really enjoy the sound of classical guitar, but it feels like there are so many styles. Where do I start? What are some of your favorites?

[Aaron Fisher]

There's a big difference that confuses people alot. It's the fact that classical guitar is way different to flamenco guitar. Even though they look the same.

I would start with Rodrigo y Gabriela. They're a couple who started out buskin' on the streets. They're known for covering Metallica (Orion) and Stairway To Heaven.

Also the guy used to be a metal player so he's got some technique going there.

Songs to check:
- Tamacun
- Ottoman live with master of puppets intro
- etc ...

Pic related, acoustic masterrace

[Jose Bell]

Just listen to the classic pieces by Tarrega, Sor, Barrios and famous transcriptions of Bach and Albeniz played by the greats: Bream, Segovia, Williams etc. From there you'll soon discover your preferred composers and interpreters and you can then delve more deeply that way.

Do you play by the way? I don't think I've ever spoke to someone who has a particular love for the classical guitar and its music other than those who play the instrument, which is a shame really. I find guitar pieces so much more emotive than other classical works, probably because the instrument lends itself to simplicity, and thus pieces are driven by melody above all else.

[Carter Jones]

Williams and Segovia, Braem are some great examples. All shit aside, what do you make of my assumption that people confuse classical guitar with flamenco, latin style music?

[Christian Wood]

Dowland

[Austin Kelly]

Dad grew up with a beat-up classical guitar, but never learned much. When I started taking to music he told me I should take it, so for a while I've been trying to do my own thing with it. Newer Bossa Nova stuff really hit me, but only recently have I started tracing back. Thanks for the suggestions, these are great

[Ayden Johnson]

J-C. Debussy - Clair de Lune youtube.com/watch?v=fFLPdxdvEXk
J-C. Debussy - Arabesque no. 1 youtube.com/watch?v=7udClrQtmws
J. S. Bach - Cello Suite no. 1 youtube.com/watch?v=pGipFrts650
A. Pärt - Für Alina youtube.com/watch?v=eseUe93oAUg
E. Satie - Gymnopedie no. 1 youtube.com/watch?v=uSO-uZKrZus
E. Satie - Gnossienne no. 1 youtube.com/watch?v=vTi8VcKpWcQ
L. van Beethoven - Moonlight Sonata (1st mov.) youtube.com/watch?v=YFenfpuI8-8
L. van Beethoven - Sonata Pathetique (2nd mov.) youtube.com/watch?v=5MHNmLPTub8
F. Schubert - Ständchen youtube.com/watch?v=BjmWCqAZRpM
W. A. Mozart - Rondo alla Turca youtube.com/watch?v=26HLgXWF-Co
E. Granados - Spanish Dance no. 2 youtube.com/watch?v=310r2AOr0Lw
N. Paganini - Caprice 24 youtube.com/watch?v=98y0Q7nLGWk
F. Chopin - Op. 9, no. 2 youtube.com/watch?v=fOhfSpaedzU
F. Chopin - Op. Posth, No. 20 youtube.com/watch?v=utwHSylN47I

[Leo Perry]

F. Tárrega - Capricho Árabe youtube.com/watch?v=06GVrYP6NKs
H. Villa-Lobos - Prelúdio no. 3 youtube.com/watch?v=PXkDWaTr18Q
S. Myers - Cavatina youtube.com/watch?v=bEO0OzAw_44
L. Brouwer - Un Dia de Noviembre youtube.com/watch?v=v36l7eVXvZc
F. Tárrega - Lágrima youtube.com/watch?v=Jot7Q9n7L9U
R. Dyens - Tango en Skai youtube.com/watch?v=WI55KAtSdSc
D. Reis - Se Ela Perguntar youtube.com/watch?v=1-rc_9wvrhw
J. Pernambuco - Sons de Carrilhões youtube.com/watch?v=xDzekDP4IKI
E. Nazareth - Odeon youtube.com/watch?v=X4Lmpim5lG4
I. Albeniz - Asturias - youtube.com/watch?v=Nx7vOb7GNBg
F. Tárrega - Recuerdos de la Alhambra youtube.com/watch?v=SHNOUPmkFlI
A. Barrios - La Catedral youtube.com/watch?v=RGwvXCYgiuU
R. Willis - Serenata del Mar youtube.com/watch?v=bN9P3YyX-Co
S. L. Weiss - Passacaglia youtube.com/watch?v=RXma1J9uoAY
F. Sor - B-minor Study youtube.com/watch?v=L2QHaYnmsCw

[Easton Russell]

what about books? do you guys have any favorites to start building a repertoire of classical guitar?

[Ryan White]

Are you planning on hiring a teacher? There's a free alternative if you sign up for Classical Guitar Delcamp's forum, but it's usually a good idea to hire a teacher who can give you immediate feedback on technique.

In either case, you'll have access to skill-appropriate sheet music.