Classical Guitar Technique: Essential Exercises, Scales, and Arpeggios (PDF)
Classical Guitar Technique: Essential Exercises, Scales, and Arpeggios (PDF)
Couldn't load pickup availability
Classical Guitar Technique: Essential Exercises, Scales, and Arpeggios - Notation Only with Fingering, String Numbers, and Positions. This item is a PDF Download. Hundreds of exercises, tons of videos, 122 Pages.
Hardcopies available via: Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.de, Amazon.au, and more local Amazon stores.
Includes: Practice Routines, Tips, 100 Open String Exercises, 120 Giuliani Arpeggios, Selected Scales (Major, Minor, 3rds, 6ths, Octaves, 10ths), Slur Exercises, Shifts, Finger Independence, Alignment, Stretch, Barre, Tremolo, Common Harmonics, Speed, Relaxation, more. View the Table of Contents
Info: This book focuses on essential exercises for the development of classical guitar technique. All the exercises from the headings of the table of contents progress from easy to advanced in a progressive format. Although this is a book of exercises rather than a method, I have included many helpful tips throughout the book to aid students. As with all my materials, the video lessons are an added educational advantage.
Level: Intended for beginner to early-advanced classical guitar students (approximately RCM Toronto Grade 1-9). As a basic prerequisite students would have completed both Volume One and Two of my beginner method book series or an equivalent. There are a number of exercises in upper positions that include accidentals, therefore, additional reading experience is required if you wish to study the entire book. However, the inclusion of fingering, string numbers, and position marks should make the exercises easy to read and understand (especially if you watch the video lessons). The 100 open string exercises should be very accessible to beginners and advanced students alike.
Video Lessons for this Book (YouTube)
The lessons below cover multiple exercises in one video but see the indented items for lessons that cover specific exercises and topics in greater detail.
Video Lessons for this Book (Links to the Blog)
The lessons below cover multiple exercises in one video but see the indented lessons that cover specific exercises and topics in greater detail. You might also want to review this lesson on how to play legato on classical guitar.
- Technique Routines (Discussions on Time Management)
- Beginner Technique Routine
- Late-Beginner Technique Routine
- Early-Intermediate Technique Routine
- Intermediate Technique Routine
- Late-Intermediate Technique Routine
- Early-Advanced Technique Routine
- How to Use Large Technique Books: Maintenance & Exploration
- Lessons for Part 1 – Right Hand Exercises
-
Right Hand Open String with i, m, a, No. 1-19 (Page 12-16)
- Skipping Strings Exercise, No.11 (Page 14)
- Right Hand Open String with p,i,m,a, No.20-35 (Page 17-20)
- Preparation (Planting) in the Right Hand (Page 21)
- Open String Exercises, No. 36-71 (Page 22-28)
- Open String Exercises, No. 72-100 (Page 29-32)
- How to Practice Giuliani’s 120 Right Hand Studies (Page 33-53)
- Lessons for Part 2 – Left Hand Alignment, Shifts, and Scales
-
Alignment Exercises for the Left Hand (Page 54-57)
- Horizontal Alignment 1-4-2-4-3-4 (Page 57)
-
Chromatic Scale Exercises (Page 58-60)
- Descending Shifts During E Chromatic (Page 58)
- Variations and Ideas for Practicing Scales (Page 61-63)
- Open Position Scales – Circle of Fifths (Page 64-67)
- One Octave Moveable Major Scales (Page 68-69)
- Shift and String Squeak Exercises (Page 70-71)
- Favourite Two and Three Octave Moveable Scales (Page 72-74)
- Major Scales with Open String Shifts (Page 75-76)
-
Triadic Arpeggios (Page 77-79)
- C Major Triadic Arpeggio (Page 77)
- Lessons for Part 3 – Slurs, Finger Independence, and Stretch
- Slur Exercises (Hammer-ons, Pull-offs) (Page 80-90)
- Selected Slur Scales (Page 91-92)
-
Left Hand Independence, Alignment, and Stretch (Page 93-100)
- Vertical Stretch Exercises (Page 94, 95, 97)
- Horizontal Stretch Exercises (Page 100)
-
Major Scales in 3rds, 6ths, Octaves, and 10ths (Page 101-105)
- C Major Scale in 3rds for Guitar (Page 102)
- C Major Scale in 6ths (Page 103)
- E Chromatic Scale in Octaves (Page 104)
- Lessons for Part 4 – Additional Techniques
- Barre Exercises (Page 106-108)
- Tremolo Exercises (Page 109-113)
- Basic Rasgueado (Page 114-115)
- Common Natural and Artificial Harmonics (Page 116-119)
- Speed and Relaxation (Page 120-122)
Customer Questions & Answers
- Does this book include TAB? No, it is notation only. Although I think you will find everything very easy to read since it is highly pattern oriented with fingering, string numbers and positions marks. Plus, the open string and arpeggio exercises are super easy to read. If you need TAB try my 20 Favorite Exercises Book.
- How similar is this book to 20 Favorite Exercises? This book has hundreds of exercises and the full extent of what I teach my students when it comes to technique. 20 Favorite Exercises is pretty small but it includes tab which some people will want. Most of the 20 Favorite exercises are included in this book although some are altered.
Cover image is just for promotion, the PDF is a text cover.
Share
I m a complete beginner in Classical Guitar. I initially watched Bradford's videos and downloaded the method books, whilst following a couple of other Classical Guitar starter books. After a couple of months I realised my technique was not developing well. So I downloaded the technique book and started practicing them. Though I struggled initially, even the simpler LH and RH exercise have helped a lot. One thing I realised after a month or so, is that I did not need to work through the book in order. Rather, I could try the simpler technique exercises from various sections, instead of feeling I had to be perfect at, say LH Alignment, before moving on. So I tried some simple slides and arpegion exercises whilst building up my LH and RH technique. This has given me confidence I am progressing. Overall I have found Bradford's videos and workbooks inspirational and the best resource on the internet for Classical Guitar advice. The book really complements his videos, or rather the videos, really complement the Techniques book. As a beginner I have found these to be really helpful. Thank you Bradford.
Thanks so much for leaving the feedback! Great to hear!
Love the program and Bradford is top rate teacher. Many thanks!
Well put together. There is a lot of information but there is a good high level overview in the front to guide varying skill levels through the book.
I’m an intermediate player who recently went nail free so I had to relearn my technique. Great RH open string exercises that enable flexibility and strength partic. with ma/am. The depth here is incredible. LH exercises too, everything you need from simple to intermediate to advanced as you work your way to virtuosity - well not in my case but you get the point.
One issue. Print the booklet out and get it ring bound for easy page turning. Then you can hide away from your partner n play endlessly, especially avoiding work around the house.
È un libro interessante e molto utile per chi come me non ha un insegnante e deve studiare da solo. Vorrei chiedere tuttavia una cosa, ma non è possibile divulgare questo, ed altri libri della stessa serie, in italiano? Grazie molte e complimenti per l'ottimo lavoro svolto dal Maestro.