A Comprehensive Method for Classical Guitar
The Cornerstone Method for Classical Guitar: Grade 1 offers a step-by-step guide for beginners learning classical guitar. In this book we’ll walk you through learning new notes, rhythms, notation, duets, theory, and more. The book works in tandem with our other books, Graded Repertoire, 20 Practice Routines, and Graded Duets. We’ve included notes in the book to help guide you where it would be appropriate to study elements from one of the other books.
We are excited to announce the launch of our new comprehensive method for classical guitar, The Cornerstone Method for Classical Guitar: Grade 1. This book is the culmination of more than a decade of refining the curriculum at CGC Academy. During that time we’ve been able to take on board feedback from thousands of guitarists from around the world who have used this method. Go here to pick up your copy of the book.
What’s Inside the Book?
Inside the book you’ll find new concepts in each lesson, with exercises and explanations to guide you along the way. As a progressive method, each lesson builds off of the previous one in a smooth, incremental way. At the end of every lesson we’ve included duets that you can play along with a teacher or another musician. Each lesson also includes homework to reinforce what you’ve learned with some work away from the guitar. Together each of these elements provide a balanced way to learn classical guitar.
Classical Guitar Corner Academy
The great thing about The Cornerstone Method for Classical Guitar: Grade 1 is that it provides you with a fully comprehensive method that, with the other CGC books, offers a well-rounded learning experience of classical guitar. However, there is even more at Classical Guitar Corner Academy. Our members enjoy access to all of the following.
- Video lessons on each unit of lessons from the book;
- Audio backing tracks for all of the exercises and duets;
- Study guides on all of the repertoire;
- Duet lessons with audio backing tracks from our Graded Duets book;
- Technique video lessons and exercises;
- Video lessons and walkthroughs of the 20 Practice Routines.
On top of that, members have access to an active, supportive, and encouraging community of guitarists from around the world. We hope you’ll consider joining CGC Academy.
Very good article! I, too, am an older adult and beginner that started learning classical guitar about a year ago. I love the process of learning even if it’s slow going compared to younger people. Sometimes I get frustrated but I never give up and just appreciate what I can do. My teacher is supportive and very patient! He reminds me to enjoy the process and not be so hard on myself. He said the challenge with adults is that we have high expectations and don’t want to make mistakes whereas kids just have fun and don’t dwell on the mistakes.
Thank you for your info on Justin Holland: Composer Showcase. I will forward this info to my past classical guitar teacher to whom I posed a query about such composers. I began studying guitar again after a professional recording deal with my group (3 Black females who did not compose or create music in the R&B genre – had to go abroad to be appreciated). I always remembered a quote by Oscar Peterson: “If you learn classical music; you can play any genre!” Classical pianists (and their teachers) dismiss his musicianship in favor of the likes of Chopin or Bach, to name a few, perhaps because he favored jazz (a good choice for his time, akin to Nina Simone, who studied with hopes of realizing a professional classical pianist career. It is not necessary to expound on her illustrious career in music and as a activist. I still study classical on my own to enable me to play other genres that I prefer for musicality, albeit there are a few classical pieces that I maintain for my active repertoire.
Glad you found it helpful, Rhett! Both Oscar Peterson and Nina Simone are giants of music, in any genre — I have learned so much from both and listen to their music frequently. Best wishes to you.
Peace,
Dave B (CGC team)
Hi Jill, I very much appreciated your shared thoughts and totally agree with your assessment. You are fortunate to have a teacher that as well understands the mental aspect of an adult learning a new form of music. Good luck to you!