Technique Quickstart for the Beginner Classical Guitarist

There are so many tips and tricks videos out there, thousands of pieces to choose from, and a variety of teachers that range from experienced to novice. This can leave you feeling lost, overwhelmed, and ultimately, frustrated.

The CGC Academy provides you with a guided learning experience that helps you improve step-by-step. You will feel a sense of clarity knowing what to work on next, have the opportunity for feedback, and save time by focusing on what needs to happen right now.

Lessons are taught with a variety of resources to help you learn key concepts:

• High quality video recordings
• PDF sheet music downloads
• Focused exercises to work on and develop your skills
• Audio backing tracks to play along with
• Q&A under each lesson

You can keep track of your progress, mark off lessons as “complete”, and easily navigate back to your current lesson when you log in to the Academy.

There are 20 progressive units which organize the following elements:

• Notation & Sight Reading
• Solo & Duet Repertoire
• Technique & Musicianship
• Scales & Arpeggios
• Practice Tools & Routines
• Theory & Analysis

Each unit represents a set of achievable goals that keep you focused and provide you with the right material to work on.

Starting with a preparatory course (the Fundamentals) the Grades curriculum will guide you through beginner material one lesson at a time. Each Grade has a clear set of goals to achieve and if you would like, you can submit a grade exam and get detailed feedback.

1. Personal Coaching Calls

There are several ways for all members to get feedback on their playing in the Academy. These include performance seminars, grade exams, forum posts, and member challenges. However, if you want to get ongoing, immediate, and regular personal feedback on your playing you should consider joining our coaching calls.

Each week you will have the opportunity to sign up for one-to-one sessions with a selection of world class performers at a variety of time slots. You can use this time to ask a specific question, play and get feedback, set practice goals, or get general guidance with your studies. Sessions are fifteen minutes each, you can schedule them up to two weeks in advance and they are open in a wide range of time slots over each weekend.

2. Performance Seminars and Open Mic

All members are welcome to participate and or watch our live performance seminars. Students are welcome to perform a piece, exercise, or whatever they might be working on and get detailed feedback to help them improve. Replays are available in the forum and performance seminars are run every other weekend.

These live sessions are easy to set up (just like Skype only better!) and provide a wonderful sense of community amongst members.

3. Grade Exams

Twice a year you have the opportunity to submit a grade exam. This includes a performance of set repertoire pieces, a practice routine, and also a self assessment of your playing and progress. Not only do you get to enjoy the focus and motivation from this process but you will receive detailed personal feedback on your playing.

4. Progress Journals

By starting a progress journal at the Academy you will be able to watch your transformation over time. It helps you focus on what you need to work on and also provides a great source of positive motivation when you feel stuck. More often than not we are making progress but it is hard to feel that progress. Keeping a progress journal helps keep your perspective on your achievements. As an added bonus you will find that other members are happy to cheer you on with support and feedback if you ask for it.

5. Member Challenges

Making progress on the classical guitar can often feel like a turtle race: it’s a long road that takes discipline and daily work. However, it’s also important to set smaller, more achievable goals to keep you motivated and on track to reach your more long-term goals. To that end, CGC Academy hosts member challenges each season. These challenges only last for three to four weeks, giving you the opportunity to set and stick to small, achievable goals. Each challenge has a different focus: for instance, scales or left-hand arpeggios.