What’s in this lesson?
- Practice Techniques
- CGC Study Guide for Lagrima
- Phrasing, theory, form, fingering, and technique
If you enjoy this lesson then you will love the full curriculum at the CGC Academy.
Take Your Practice to the Next Level
The Cornerstone Method and the Grades Curriculum at CGC Academy has all the resources to help you get the most out of your practice:
Practicing Technique
The Practice Routines at CGC Academy provide you with exercises focused on a comprehensive and balanced approach to technique and musicianship.
Exercises focus on the following kinds of elements:
- Left Hand
- Arpeggios
- Scales
- Right-hand balance and voices
- Slurs
- Shifting
- Fingerboard knowledge
- Finger independence
- Speed development

Practicing Repertoire
The Grades Curriculum at CGC Academy has over 60 progressive solo repertoire pieces and over 50 progressive duet repertoire pieces. Each piece of music has full video lessons with closeup views of each hand, a score you can download, and accompanying materials.
Many repertoire pieces have a Study Guide that helps you break down the various elements of learning a piece of music just as we’ve done above, including:
- How to identify the key and tempo of the piece
- Managing the technical challenges
- Identifying and learning the phrasing and other musical elements
- Using theory to learn the piece’s harmony and form
- Practice strategies for each of these elements
Some of the beginner solo repertoire pieces you’ll learn include:
- Lágrima by Francisco Tárrega
- Prelude by Robert de Visée
- Sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti
And some of the beginner duets include:
- Two-part Inventions by J.S. Bach
- Drewries Accordes, anonymous
- Pieces by contemporary composers like Richard Charlton and Mark Houghton

Practicing Theory
In addition to learning technique and repertoire, the intermediate and advanced theory and harmony lessons will introduce you to:
- The CAGED system
- Cadences
- Harmonic progressions
- How to do a harmonic analysis
- Improvisation


It’s really simple…
We put our heart and soul into this school and we are confident you are going to enjoy being a member. If you find that this site is not for you, you can let us know within thirty days of signing up, and we will give you a full refund. This guarantee means there is no risk in signing up and every reason to become a member right now. Choose your membership below.
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Quarterly
- Full Curriculum Access
- All Downloads
- Live Performance Seminars
- Member Challenges
Annual
- $200 Annual Discount
- Everything from Quarterly Plus:
- Guest Masterclass Series
- Grade Exam Submissions
Annual with Coaching
- Full Annual Membership plus
- One-to-one coaching on a weekly basis.
- Teachers include: Simon Powis, David Belcher, Niki Todesco, James Erickson, and Sanja Plohl.
FAQ
Questions?