Free classical guitar lessons since 2010: video lessons, articles, and downloads covering every part of your playing. Jump to a topic below, or start with the free book.
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Twenty beautiful, approachable pieces with clear notation. Our most popular book, free for the CGC mailing list.
Get the Free Book Plus free lessons and downloads in your inbox. Unsubscribe anytime.Beginner Classical Guitar Lessons
Brand new to the instrument, or returning after years away? Start with the essentials, then browse advice drawn from decades of teaching.
Read the Full Beginner GuideEssential Lessons
- What is the best classical guitar method book?
- Beginner Classical Guitar Lessons (Fundamentals)
- How to tune a guitar by ear
- How to change strings on a classical guitar
- Guitar Finger Numbers
- Guitar String Names
- Nails on Classical Guitar
- Can I Play Classical Guitar without Nails?
Advice for Beginners
- Learning guitar at an older age
- How to Buy Your First Guitar
- Best Beginner Classical Guitar
- Best Classical Guitar Strings
- What is classical guitar?
- Classical Guitar vs. Acoustic Guitar
- A Beginner Guide to Classical Guitar
- Footstool vs Guitar Support for Classical Guitar
- Small Hands on Classical Guitar
- 5 Common Mistakes on the Classical Guitar
- How to Use a Capo on Classical Guitar
- Common Keys on Classical Guitar
- Tone Colors on Classical Guitar
- Playing in Positions on the Guitar
- Where are the chords on classical guitar?
- Dealing with fear
- Making the most out of a masterclass
- Dealing with Information Overload
- Breaking Bad Habits
- Failure and Giving Up
- How to Teach Yourself Classical Guitar
- An Argument Against Memorization
- DIY University
- D’Addario XT Classical Guitar Strings: A Review
- Aquila Classical Guitar Strings: Review
Repertoire Lessons
Note-by-note lessons on the pieces classical guitarists love to play, from Tarrega to Bach.
Graded Repertoire for Classical Guitar (PDF & Print)- Napoléon Coste Lesson 24
- Lagrima by Francisco Tarrega
- Capricho Arabe by Francisco Tarrega
- Romanza by Anonymous
- Prelude 1 by Heitor Villa Lobos
- Sonata K.208 by Domenico Scarlatti
- Largo BWV 1056 by J.S. Bach
- Etude 16 by Matteo Carcassi
- Etude 7 by Matteo Carcassi
- Allegro Op.50 by Mauro Giuliani
- Prelude by Robert DeVisee
- How to choose repertoire
- Carcassi’s 25 Etudes for Classical Guitar
- Sor’s Studies in B minor and D Major
- Bach on the Guitar
- Adelita and Lágrima
Technique Lessons
Build reliable technique with focused lessons on scales, exercises, and both hands.
Read the Full Technique GuideScales
- Classical Guitar Scales – Complete Guide
- Scale Practice on Classical Guitar
- Daily Scales (in 5 different levels) + Free Book
- The Segovia Scales – A Practical Guide
- How to Play a C Major Scale
- How to Play a G Major Scale
- How to Play a D Major Scale
- How to Play an A Major Scale
- How to Play an A minor Scale
- How to Play an E Major Scale
- How to Play an E minor Scale
- How to Play a D minor Scale
- How to Play an F Major Scale
- How to Play a B minor Scale
Exercises
- 7 Best Exercises for Classical Guitar
- Synchronization Exercises on the Classical Guitar
- How to Develop Speed in the Right Hand
- Right Hand Arpeggios
- 120 Right Hand Studies by Mauro Giuliani
- The Barre – Bar Chords
- Rene Izquierdo’s Barre Exercise
- Left Hand Exercises for Classical Guitar
- Left Hand Preparation on Classical Guitar
- Left Hand Accuracy and Positioning
- Left Hand Independence Exercise
- How to do Vibrato on the Classical Guitar
- How to do a Slur on Classical Guitar
- How to Make Your Bass Notes Sing
Daily Scales — Free Book in 5 Levels
A simple daily scale routine, graded from beginner to advanced, with a free PDF download.
Download Daily ScalesPractice Lessons
Practice is a skill of its own. Learn to make every session count.
Read the Full Practice Guide 20 Practice Routines (PDF & Print)- The Art of Practice
- Practice Techniques
- Simon’s 5-Minute Warmup
- Chunking in Guitar Practice
- What Makes a Piece Difficult?
- Recording Yourself
- 4 Templates for Classical Guitar Practice Sessions
- Breaking Down a Passage of Music
- How to use a Metronome
- Memorizing Music
- How to practice when travelling
- 5 Things to Improve Performance
Notation Lessons
Learn to read music notation fluently on the guitar.
- How to Read Guitar Sheet Music
- Classical Guitar Notation Guide
- Guide to Notes in Musical Notation
- Guide to Rests in Musical Notation
- How to Read Guitar TABs
- Guide to Polyphony in Classical Guitar Music
- Identifying Voices in Guitar Music
- Reddit Classical Guitar Notation Questions
- The CAGED System on Classical Guitar
- Classical Guitar Tempo Markings
Sight Reading Lessons
Develop the ability to read and play new music at sight.
- An Introduction to Sight Reading on the Classical Guitar
- Sight Reading Lesson for Classical Guitar
- 15 Minute Rhythm Challenge
- The CAGED System on Classical Guitar
- Six String Scales to Learn the Fingerboard
- Sight Reading with Rhythmic Subdivision
- How to Improve Your Sight Reading
- Classical Guitar Tempo Markings
Theory & Analysis Lessons
Understand how the music you play is put together, and use it in your interpretation.
Read the Full Theory Guide- Ornamentation on the Classical Guitar
- Ornamentation in the Music of J.S. Bach
- The Circle of Fifths
- 7 Ways to Create a Musical Interpretation
- 3 Ways to Improve Your Rhythm
- What Is 6/8 Time Signature?
- Technique vs. Musicality
- Dynamics on the Classical Guitar
- Harmony Workshop Series
- Why You Need Musical Analysis
Ready for a structured path?
These free lessons are just the beginning. The CGC Academy offers a complete eight-grade curriculum, personal feedback, live seminars, and a community of over 1,100 dedicated guitarists.
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