Classical finger twister

[Geoff]

This is a little study by Mateo Carcassi, an early 19th Century composer.

He wrote a bunch of studies aimed at improving technique and this is one of his more challenging ones. It is a lively sparkly little piece aimed at improving speed and fluidity in the left hand. Lots of fun little scale runs and big jumps across the fretboard – a real finger twister and i am far from perfect playing this.

That said, I had fun playing this and it is a cool piece of music in its own right – Carcassi was a virtuoso concert guitarist in his day and a great composer too. Problem for me is it is very hard just to sit down and perform this.

[JoeD1]

That looked difficult but I think you pulled it off quite well Geoff.

Joe

The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge

[Geoff]

Thanks Joe. I did my best -:)

[Chuck P]

What a beautiful piece of music Geoff. I’ve been listening to classic music a lot lately for relaxation when I drive. Those stretches look like a real challenge which you met. As you went along it looked like your playing got more fluid. You did very well with this composition.

[Geoff]

Thanks Chuck. I play classical guitar but I really should spend more time listing to some of the greats like Beethoven, Bach, Tchaikovsy, Mozart etc. Not just guitar music.

Rock and Blues is fine but there is such a wealth of other styles out there.

[Michael Krailo]

That was definitely an advanced classical piece and would require me forever to even get to where your at with it.

Root note patterns >>> CAGED shapes >>> TRIAD'S. Just put in the work and watch your guitar skills soar.

[Geoff]

I don’t know about forever because you are a pretty capable guitar player Michael.

The one thing I will say is the whole approach to the guitar with classical playing is completely different with a massive emphasis on technique and expression. With electric guitar you can develop your own technique and style and that is what is so compelling about playing blues and we can get very good that way. Classical playing requires an absolute adherence to certain rules and that I am not particularly great at.

[Garry]

Always great to hear you play Classical Geoff. Yes, ‘C’ for Carcassi and ‘C’ for Challenge. Definitely a challenging piece and you gave a very strong performance. Absolutely a finger twister and you navigated the fretboard extremely well. Thanks for sharing. All the best! 😎🎸😎

[Geoff]

Thanks Garry, the challenge with this one is it had some big jumps across the fretboard and it needs to be done without losing the melody.

[Jean Luc G]

Beautiful piece that looked very difficult…
Bravo !!

jean luc G

[Geoff]

Thanks for listening Jean Luc.

[San Luis Rey]

Wow Geoff! You covered that really well. The last part sounded so professional. 👏

Mike

[Geoff]

Thanks Mike. The second half was challenging because I had to slur with the baby finger and that was hard to pull off.

[Dieter]

Hi Geoff,

That really is a wonderful piece by the old master—it’s quite a challenge for the fingers.
You’ve adapted it really well for the guitar.
Classical guitar music is fun, and you learn a lot about musical interpretation and playing technique that can be applied to other genres like rock, pop, blues, etc.

Dieter

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