History of Classical Guitar Lessons

History of Classical Guitar- Andres Segovia

Who was Andres Segovia? (work in groups? Or complete questions in partners?)

Pre-research:
 When was he born? When did he die?
 Where did he live?
 What were some of his contributions to the classical guitar world?
 What was his reputation?
 What was his personal musical style?
 What type of repertoire did he play?

Youtube: Andres Segovia explains what guitar is really all about

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V0kbcZKbG8

 What does polyphonic mean?

 What is timbre? How does he change the timbre of his playing?
 What is pizzicato?
 What is orchestration?

Youtube: Andres Segovia Variations on a Mozart Theme

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eBnfzngq9Y

 How does he exhibit different timbres/musical styles in his playing?

Playing Activity:
 Pizzacato technique
 How to create different timbres in your playing

History of Classical Guitar- Listening Map

La Catedral- Barrios
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0eciLEQVmQ

 Inspired by Montevideo Cathedral in Uruguay

 Google Earth 360
 Preludio (Saudade (Yearning))
 Conveys sense of stillness
 Shining melody over transparent arpeggiated chords
 What is an arpeggiated chord?
 Occasional close voicings
 What are voicings?
 Harmonics
 What are harmonics?
 Why do you think this piece is subtitled yearning?
 Andante Religioso
 Based on Bach cathedral organ
 Sense of processional movement
 What is a processional?
  Harmonies evoke ancient traditions
 Which musical elements make this movement sound like a processional?
 Allegro Solemne
 Based on the bustle of people in the streets outside the cathedral.
 Linear melodic movements
 Shifting harmonies
 Strong thematic figures blending
 What musical elements make this movement sound bustling?

History of Classical Guitar- Villa Lobos

Pre-research:
 When was he born? When did he die?
 Where did he live?
 What were some of his contributions to the musical world?
 Contributions as a guitarist
 Other musical contributions
 What was his personal musical style?
 What type of repertoire did he play/compose?

Villa Lobos- Listening Map

Choro No. 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iU_MqgVdmyc

 Playing techniques (strumming/picking pattern)

 How is this different from our friend Andres’ playing?
 What is the country of influence?
 Compare to his piano piece: Ciranda No. 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIEGGE1TeFM
 What are the similarities in style?
 Rhythmic pattern (syncopated dotted eighth, sixteeth rhythm)

History of Classical Guitar- Important Players (what are they known for?)

Presti and Lagoya

 Ida Presti (1924-1967)
 Where is she from? (France)
 classical guitarist and composer
 Well known compositions/performances?
 Alice Artzt called “the greatest guitarist of the 10th century, and
possibly of all time”
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHUQwFoTPUY
 Performed solo until her MARRIAGE to Alexandre Lagoya
 Alexandre Lagoya (1929-1999)
 Where is he from? (Egypt)
 classical guitarist and composer
 What were his ethnic origins?
 Where did he teach guitar? What were his contributions to guitar
education? (plucking technique/hand position)
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0hsb9q00uY (Granada)
  Dynamic duo:
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eg3rJxfsx0g

Julian Bream (1933-)

 Where is he from (England)
 Played significant role in improving the public perception of the classical guitar
 What were some ways that he improved the public perception of the
classical guitar?
 Child prodigy
 What were some of his early childhood musical accomplishments?
 Musical style and influences?
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mZvdGAGlOo
 What is a fugue? Why is this so impressive?
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFoZJ25QL-U (Granada)
 How does this compare to Lagoya’s?

John Williams (1941-)

 Where is he from? (Australia)
 Also known for promotion of classical guitar
 Why do you think classical guitar needs to be promoted?
 Awards won? (Grammy)
 Thoughts on guitar education?
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izNxtsC1b4k

History of Classical Guitar- Flamenco

What is Flamenco?
Pre-research questions:
 Where did Flamenco originate?
 When did it originate?
 What were the motivations for its origins?
 What are the characteristics of Flamenco dance and music?
 Who are some popular Flamenco composers?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqxJMCQxb_Q
 What do you like about this style?
 What do you dislike about this style?

Famous players/performances:
 Do some research on these three Flamenco stars, how are they different? How
are they similar?
 Carmen Amaya
 Sara Baras
 Antonio Chacon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnFtLjQ_rr8

Playing Activity:
 Learn easy Flamenco piece