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Classical Guitar: Part Three (final)

© Deborah Jeter

Distinguished guest writer, Israeli classical guitarist and composer Naftali Lahav concludes his series on classical guitar by offering his methods for teaching.

Guitar method for the initial lessons:

Article structure:

1. The concept

2. The method

3. Adjustments

1. The concept:

Playing any instrument in general, and the guitar in particular, combines lots of elements coming together at the same time. These include holding the guitar, left and right hand functions, the learning and playing of the notes, tempo, sounds, expression, etc.

The beginner finds it difficult to cope with them all during his first few lessons. For a beginner, the whole thing may turn - after a while - into a struggle. Some pupils will survive and will keep on playing (with some basic damages) but others will drop out sooner or later. Few (and only a few) will have a "natural" approach to the instrument and will become good players. The main purpose, however, is to teach ANY ONE that has the willingness to play the guitar and this doesn't exclude the ones that are "not only the best"!

Every experienced teacher knows the importance of bestowing the good basic and fundamental elements for the pupil.

A guitar pupil that does not have the understanding of the proper basic elements of holding the guitar, putting the in a proper way hands and fingers etc., will surely enter the track of struggling. For a long period of time, he or she may feel uncomfortable playing the guitar.

What I suggest for the initial guitar lessons is privatization (or deduction?) of the basic elements of the playing method, so the pupil and the teacher will have that basic information on which to concentrate and gradually start to combine these elements as the student progresses.

My main idea and concept.

The basic elements of playing is so the pupil will be able to achieve, during the first five or six months, a level that will reflect his future as a guitar player.

At this point, I recommend a full privatization of the basic elements. I have a conversation with the new pupil, explaining the importance of mastering the basic elements. I try to convey those ideas with sensitivity so the pupil, by himself, will point out the direction of obtaining good, basic playing elements to attain optimal progress.

I am not recommending the teaching of notes during the initial lessons. It may be too much for young pupils and will take too much time and effort when our first priority should be to concentrate on the basic elementary positions for enabling playing some short songs within a short time.