Your Classical Guitar Input Here

Etudes & Level of Proficiency

by Thomas
(Wilmington, NC USA)

What level of proficiency or virtuosity should we strive for in studying etudes. Etudes such as Sor's Etude No 9, Bach's Bourree (E minor), Sor's Andantino, Morel's Preludio, etc.

I can study & practice for six months, and they still do not have the fluency of a performance level piece. I can read them and finger them quite well, and play them at a moderate pace.

But in order to really bring a piece to performance level, it seems that I must virtully memorize it. This obsession in turn, slows down progress and prevents me from moving on to other pieces.

Also, everyone's brain is wired differently. Some pieces are relatively easy for me, but others, classified as level two, will give me fits. I also find that the degree to which I am successful in bringing a piece to performance level, is directly related to how much I like a score or arrangement.

Also, when I am able to attain some level of competence on a score, it is sure to be quite a bit different than, say, someone like John Williams.

Can you offer any advice?

Hi Thomas,

You've certainly asked one of the "big" questions concerning classical guitar!

In terms of proficiency for etudes I'm afraid even etudes require different levels of proficiency because that is their very nature i.e. to give you proficiency at a particular level and that level ranges from basic to advanced.

Etudes are great because they're designed to give you strong foundation technique and keep building on skills that you've already mastered and develop them further. Sor, as you mentioned, was a master at creating etudes that both develop your classical guitar technique yet still sound great as a piece of music to perform.

In terms of how long it will take to master it, that depends of the level you're trying to master. Six months may not be long enough for some very hard pieces but be more than enough for another level. And memorization, as you mentioned is a good idea for better performance so take it as read that this is what you should do.

Having said that, don't let that stop you when "moving on to other pieces" because you need to have other "irons in the fire" so to speak. The pieces will eventually come to hand if you "keep them on the boil" whilst your developing your technique with other pieces. This also means that your practice will be "fresher" because you're not playing the same tired old pieces over and over.

I'm not sure what to make of you comparing your progress to John Williams. I think if you do that you may never be satisfied with your own development and progress. Remember that he is a played in the topmost echelon of guitarists the world has ever seen and it may be a little impractical to judge your own progress in comparison with him.

My advice is to focus on your own development. Take hints and inspiration from him and other guitarists of course but don't "beat yourself up" if you don't reach such lofty heights because you're talking about probably the best classical guitar player the world has seen to this point in time :))

I hope this has helped somewhat.

Kind regards,
Trevor M.