LAGA Classical focuses on the study of the classical guitar. We supplement our systematic, conservatory-style curriculum with our unique methodology, ensuring success for visual, aural and kinesthetic learners. Our vast library of video lessons is augmented with sheet music, articles, hints and helpful commentaries on technical and artistic matters. Our curriculum continues to grow as we add more content regularly. LAGA Classical allows you to progress step-by-step, ensuring that you will master each skill before moving on to the next. Our online classical guitar lessons begin with the basics and ends with virtuoso artistry! You will find the journey to be exciting and fun, as lessons cover prominent classical guitar pieces, as well as unique solo guitar arrangements of well-known classics.
LAGA Classical Course Outline
We thought you might want to get a brief glimpse of some of the material that is covered in each level, just to whet your appetite for learning the classical guitar. Each level has a link to a brief video that will give you an idea of what you will accomplish at each level. In no way do the following videos reflect the entire scope of their respective levels–they are merely a sample of what we have to offer.
Level One:
Establishing a sound foundation is important to getting off to a good start. Level One covers warm-up techniques, posture, as well as natural and efficient hand and finger positioning.
Sheet music reading, usually considered a laborious process, is also introduced. But we make reading music fun by walking you through the fingerboard–step by step–incorporating folk songs from around the world.
You will learn first position notes, the rest stroke, hammer-on, and staccato techniques, proper nail care, as well as basic music theory right from the start. Even at this level, you will not be bored, because you will learn to play beautiful, culturally-relevant music–not the contrived tunes that many entry-level programs offer. Finally, we teach you methods to relax the tension that many beginners feel. Level One gets you off to a good start!
Level Two:
At Level Two, you’ll be playing pieces from great composers such as F. Sor and D. Aguado, as well as renowned traditional pieces, like “Greensleeves.” You will learn how to play arpeggios with various fingering combinations. Tone color and dynamics are important parts of your development as an artist. Level Two is your introduction to those key components.
Level Three:
Classical music buffs will enjoy the selections in this level. We cover four periods of music: Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, and Romantic in LAGA Classical. Level Three has selections by N. Coste, J. Krieger, F. Carulli, and J. Brahms’ famous cancion “Lullaby”.
Many new techniques are introduced here, from complex arpeggios to grace notes and trills, essential to your development as an artist. We stress scales and other technical exercises that are incorporated in the actual repertoire. You will study rhythmic structures that increase in complexity. You will enjoy more challenging music theory that you learn in Level Three, because it will relate directly to the pieces that you are learning.
Level Four:
As the pieces increase in difficulty, we will show you exercises that stretch and strengthen your fingers and hands on the fingerboard. We will cover techniques that will help you make choices on dynamics, tone color changes, and tempo adjustments. You will refine your artistic development, since you will reach an important milestone in the intermediate repertoire.
Level Four will also introduce you to the Flamenco rasgueado and the barre technique, which will be important additions to your technical arsenal. You will study great works by M. Carcassi, F. Sor, D. Aguado, L. Milan and others.
Level Five:
Level Five goes deeper in understanding the theory behind the music–making it come alive in your mind. At this stage, we include techniques as advanced as right-hand harmonics. We also cover higher-position notes that give you more range and octave harmonics that produce gorgeous tones. Level Five’s intensive repertoire study will challenge you with works by M. Giuliani, R. Johnson, L. de Narvaez, D. Scarlatti, J. S. Bach, and many more.
Level Six:
In Level Six, you will build your recital repertoire by learning many important works written for the guitar, including all-time classics, and even landmark pieces that guitarists perform in competitions and auditions.
You will work on advanced techniques such as the double pull-off and tremolo, and learn what an impact phrasing can make on your music. More knowledge of music theory, of physical and mental preparation for performance will make Level Six an important building block on your journey as an artist.
Level Seven:
In this final level, you will perfect your interpretive skills, preparing yourself to perform many pieces that are the gold standard for concerts and competitions. Works by master composers such as A. Barrios Mangore, F. Tarrega, and F. Sor will challenge you to become one with the music. Your speed, smoothness, and familiarity with the instrument will enhance your performance, while the relaxation techniques you learn will calm you and focus your mind.
