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Archive of on-line classical guitar lessons from previous years.
Forum rules
The classical guitar lessons are free. They are aimed at the isolated amateur who does not have access to a teacher. To join the class, apply for registration into the students group.
Postby Jean-François Delcamp » Tue Jan 14, 2014 1:48 am
Hello everyone,
Please start by downloading the latest version of volume D01.
If you are new to the course, please read this message to familiarize yourself with the conditions for participating in the lessons. You should also read the first message in lesson 1, where you will find advice on how to make the most of your study time and on the methods of practising that I recommend.
First we will study some technical exercises from volume D01.
These exercises will work upon the technique of simultaneous rest strokes (apoyando) with the thumb and index finger, and also with the thumb and middle finger.
The rest stroke is a way to play the string with a finger movement which plucks the string and then continues to move until it comes to rest on the adjacent string. Working on this technique will allow you to discover the best position for your plucking hand (the right hand if you are right-handed).
If you are already used to plucking the strings with free strokes, the simultaneous rest strokes with the thumb and a finger will seem difficult to you, even impossible. But be assured, with patience and perseverence, this difficulty will be resolved in 30 minutes. I know from experience that the first tries are truly discouraging, particularly for adults. It is for this reason that I wish to reassure you in advance, take heart, you will be able to do it.
Page 55 : Jean-François Delcamp - Scales in third, number 6. (Free stroke)
Page 58 : Jean-François Delcamp - Rest stroke, number 16. (Rest stroke)
Don't forget to practise the improvisation exercises from Lesson 7 regularly, so that you'll be ready for the next lesson.
Finally, we'll look at 3 tunes, pages 30 to 32. These tunes will work upon the technique of simultaneous rest strokes (apoyando) with the thumb and index finger, and also with the thumb and middle finger.
Anonyme : Ricercar (Rest stroke)
Fernando Sor : Leçon I opus 60 (Rest stroke - Free stroke)
Matteo Carcassi : Exercice opus 59 (Rest stroke)
I ask you first to work on all these exercises and tunes for a week and then to upload your recordings of:
Page 55 : Jean-François Delcamp - Gammes en tierces - Scales in third, numéro 6. (Free stroke)
Anonyme : Ricercar (Rest stroke)
Fernando Sor : Leçon I opus 60 (Rest stroke - Free stroke)
Good luck!
I thank Geoff (GeoffB) who has helped in the translation of my lessons into English.
Jean-François
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Exam qualifying submissions:
Scales in third, numéro 6
Ricercar
Leçon I opus 60
Can someone please tell me the meaning of the roman numerals II in Ricercar, bars 4, 10 and 16? I saw multiple explanations for them on the web but I can't tell from Mr. Delcamp's video which one applies.
It simply indicates that the left hand moves into second position, i.e. index finger would fret the 2nd fret (instead of the 1st fret of the first position), middle finger the 3rd position, etc. and pinky the 5th position where the 'a' (LA) can be found on the 1st string. In Ricercar you can move the hand (prepare) during the preceding open string 'e' to make the position shift seamless.
Alhambra 4P spruce
Almansa 457 cedar
Cordoba C12 spruce
Postby Theresa S. Sedlock » Thu Jan 16, 2014 10:11 pm
ok, good to know about the roman numeral..now...what about the circled number below the staff that's followed by ---------- as seen on page 58? What exactly does that mean?
Marko Räsänen wrote:It simply indicates that the left hand moves into second position, i.e. index finger would fret the 2nd fret (instead of the 1st fret of the first position), middle finger the 3rd position, etc. and pinky the 5th position where the 'a' (LA) can be found on the 1st string. In Ricercar you can move the hand (prepare) during the preceding open string 'e' to make the position shift seamless.
Theresa S. Sedlock wrote:ok, good to know about the roman numeral..now...what about the circled number below the staff that's followed by ---------- as seen on page 58? What exactly does that mean?
Circled number denote string on which to play. So all notes of this voice playing on the same (3) string so that the left hand moves in position -bar 4 in the III position, 6 in V ...
Guitar: Mirko Hotko 1989
Strings: D'Addario EJ46TT Pro Arte Dynacore Hard Tension
Recorder: Olympus LS-20M
I am having a difficult time figuring out when to damp the bass notes in the tune Ricerdo. I have watched the video of Jean-Francois many times and I cannot make out exactly when he damps the bass notes. I am certain I need to watch it more… I see him do it on the 6th bar but other than that one, I don't see it. Anyone have any suggestions???
Barbara, professor Delcamp damps the bass notes every time the bass note changes. They are all marked with the flower symbol beneath the staff. The note to be damped is shown by the line leading into the flower symbol, and 'when' to damp is right after the note above the flower symbol is played.
In Ricercar the only bass notes are the open 6th and 5th strings (E and A). When damping A after playing E, simply rest your right hand thumb on the 5th string after playing the 6th. This is what you do automatically when playing rest stroke with the thumb. When damping E after playing A, you need to lift your thumb and bring it back over the 5th string (being careful that you don't accidentally damp the 5th), and rest it on the 6th string damping it. If you watch closely the video, this exactly what professor Delcamp is doing every time E changes into A, i.e. in bars 7, 12, 19 and 24. In bar 12 additionally the 5th string needs to be damped on beat 3, because there's a rest.
Hopefully this helps!
Alhambra 4P spruce
Almansa 457 cedar
Cordoba C12 spruce