Right Hand Fingering for Classical Guitar: Concepts and Case Studies (PDF)
Right Hand Fingering for Classical Guitar: Concepts and Case Studies (PDF)
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Right Hand Fingering for Classical Guitar: Concepts and Case Studies. This book aims to give students a basic criteria for justifying fingering choices and gaining confidence in deciding fingering for themselves. The combination of concepts and case studies offers a framework for approaching fingering in both logical and musical ways. This is a pdf download.
- Included in this pdf booklet
- 58 pages of text and notation examples
- Notation-only with fingering
- Text explanations and debates
- Comparisons of fingerings
- Free video lessons for each concept and example
This is not a technique book - This is a book explaining what fingers are used for certain musical passages and why. It is not a book training right hand technique and playing ability. For technique training please see my book Classical Guitar Technique.
Level Recommendation - This book is for the intermediate student but can be beneficial to all levels either as an introduction to right hand fingering concepts or as a clarification of values for advanced students. Most conceptual examples are basic open string exercises attainable to beginners and all levels. However, the repertoire examples are mainly from the intermediate repertoire. Therefore, in order to gain maximum benefit from the case studies, a level of grade 4-7 is recommended.
Video Lessons and Contents
Videos to be release January and February. Links go to This is Classical Guitar.
Introduction
- Introduction and Context for Learning (Above)
Concepts - This section forms a basic criteria for examining or choosing right hand fingering in a variety of musical textures.
- Alternation (Examples No.1-7)
- String Crossing and Ergonomics (Examples No.8-14)
- String Spacing and Ergonomics (Examples No.15-18)
- Rest Stroke and Free Stroke Considerations (Examples No.19-22)
- Repetition of a Single Finger (Examples No.23-25)
- Playing Arpeggios Across 5 & 6 Strings (Examples No.26-29)
- Voice Separation (Examples No.30-34)
Additional Thoughts - Clarity on how we approach fingering in a practical way and in the practice room.
- Spot Fingering (Exercises No.35-38)
- Feel vs Logic (Exercises No.39-40)
Case Studies and Comparisons - Using the concepts learned in the first section, multiple musical examples are examined and debated. The video lessons will mainly discuss the primary fingering choice.
- Common Musical Textures (Exercises No.41-45)
- Alternation and Repeated Fingers (Exercises No.)
- Playing Across the Strings
- Thumb Use and Voice Separation
- Additional Case Studies
Final Advice
- Curiosity and Exploration, a Natural Part of Learning Music
BTW. The cover image above is for promotion, the pdf cover is more basic for better printing on home printers.
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I would like to know which level this classical guitar is good for?
This book is for the intermediate student but can be beneficial to all levels either as an introduction to right hand fingering concepts or as a clarification of values for advanced students. Most conceptual examples are basic open string exercises attainable to beginners and all levels. However, the repertoire examples are mainly from the intermediate repertoire. Therefore, in order to gain maximum benefit from the case studies, a level of grade 4-7 is recommended.
I'm about 4 lessons in on Brad's new book on right hand fingering concepts and case studies. The first couple of lessons, it reinforced what I (hopefully) already do. Now, it's getting into areas that are giving me new ideas. For instance, alternatives for playing 5 and 6 string arpeggios, or choosing between rest and free stroke for sustain effect. Really glad I bought it, very helpful. The videos that go along with it are top notch, as always.
Thanks so much for the feedback Peggy! Much appreciated.
First off, I am a beginner. I have been playing for some 60 years but have not moved past someone else's book 2. I hav found that I can make progress with Bradford's Lessons. I watched the first video and thought this might help with understanding some of the lessons Bradford has set up. At first, I simply sat down and read. I got through the first 24 pages. It isn't a hard read and I could not see trying the various fingering ideas yet. Having practiced the first 55 open string exercises in the technique book I was pleasantly surprised to now understand why we practice the awkward fingering.
I have been having trouble with open string exercise 54. I realize that it is not an awkward fingering problem, my hands just don't want to do it. Thinking about the awkward examples I had before me I have gone back to exercise 54 with the the intent of mastering it and then working through the fingering examples.
At 78 years old, it is all about motivation and understanding. I have an arrangement for "The Band Played On." Fingering is suggested but to date I have not payed too much attention to it. Now that I am beginning to understand I will go back and re-learn it.
That is great to hear. I think this book is indeed easy to read through and skim over but, like you said, when you start thinking about it as you play the criteria should start to make sense of things.
I haven't spent a lot of time with this book yet, but I really like what I've done so far. It is certainly helping my speed and dexterity with my instrument. The lessons are well planned and well done! The price is right and the download was easy. Thanks Bradford Werner!
Thanks for the feedback. The intention is not technique with this book though, it's much more just about how to choose fingering and having a criteria for it. My full technique book is more along the technique improvement path.
Podręcznik zawiera uporządkowane i wielostronne wyjaśnienia co do sposobów palcowania w wielu sytuacjach na jakie napotykamy podczas poznawania i wykonywania utworów. Możemy dowiedzieć się jak zoptymalizować pracę prawej ręki i jak unikać błędów. Liczne przykłady nadają pracy walor praktyczny. W połączeniu z publikowanymi filmami podręcznik stanowi doskonały materiał dydaktyczny, który polecam każdemu, komu zależy na doskonaleniu swojej gry.
Przychylam się do prośby Dawida o kontynuację i rozwinięcie tematu technik tłumienia.
Thanks for the feedback. I will certainly consider a dedicated muting manual.