How to Play Guitar from the Gut, with more expression and vitality

If you are learning classical guitar, or would like to learn classical guitar, CGS is a great place to discover resources to help you on the journey. Whether you’re just beginning guitar, or have been playing for decades but want to rise to new levels in your playing, you’ll find highly detailed tutorials and lessons.

You’ll find some of the deepest-diving explorations of classical guitar and Spanish guitar pieces anywhere online, with step-by-step instructions on how to play guitar beautifully so that the music sings and connects with listeners (any yourself) on an emotional level. Music is not entirely subjective. Some ways of doing things are more effective than others. If you learn these basic “rules”, you’ll automatically play with more grace, beauty, and feeling.

At CGS, you’ll also discover archives of comprehensive articles about many of the issues, details, habits, and best practices surrounding playing guitar. You’ll find tips and tricks on how to be more effective at practicing. You’ll find articles on subjects as varied as getting great classical guitar tone, how to avoid pain and injury playing guitar, and the differences between practice and exercise. If you ever need a break from your practice and want to enrich your understanding of all that is classical guitar, browsing the Classical Guitar Shed archives are great place to explore.

If you would like to hear me (Allen Mathews) playing, visit my other youtube channel:

[ClassicalGuitarShed]

Hey! Have you ever tried to conduct your own pieces, it really helps! Click the link below for more tips:

[Adam-kxkg]

As somebody who is self teaching classical guitar, these videos are more helpful than anything else I’ve found online

[josongs]

Allen, this is out of the ballpark. When I was training at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, one of my mentors would talk about breathing, and this so applies to what you're demonstrating and talking about. She would say, "Take the size and shape of the breath to fit the thought." And, "Think what you want to say, and breathe for it." Well, I finally got it, and that's just what I watched you doing in this video, and, in fact, you do it all the time. When you were moving around the room giving guts and grace to whatever you were humming, or la-la-ing, I watched you breathe. And everytime you changed tone, dynamics, everytime you showed us another example, I watched you take the size and SHAPE of the breath that would allow to glide smoothly, or jazzily, or waltzy, or powerfully....all those infinite dynamics and choices. The shape of the breath, isn't that a great distinction? So I watch all your you tube videos, and constantly watch you play, and you do the same thing. You know how I love it when you play Cavatina, by Meyers....well, I was mesmerized watching the size and shape of the breath as you gave this piece a voice. it was your voice, Allen, your size and shape of your breath. Getting momentarily biblical, God breathed on a piece of clay and gave it life. I see it as the same thing. I hope this makes sense.
I hope this doesn't cross community guidelines, but if anyone out here wants to get his or her life out of something, take this course. Allen and Zak lead youi, through this incredibly well crated technique in a way that, literally, your whole life is altered. Try it.

[mattelliottmusic]

I love this channel. You're a really great music tutor and focus on the importance of feeling and expressiveness and the pleasure of playing music because that is often something that is missed with music tutors. Music, above all should be an expression and should be fun, not a chore. And of course the technical side is so useful (as someone whose played classical guitar for 20 years or so I have learned a hell of a lot from this channel, so thanks again!)

I love this! Embodying the music will also help in memorising the piece.

[christianeauthier]

So true! Thank you very much to remind us how important it is to feel the melody inside our body before playing it on the guitar. Very good video, 👏

[lioseb]

Perfect. I'm currently trying to improve my musical expression. I will try this exercise

[RNogueras]

Nice! Music feeling comes from the gut to the fingers...not the other way around.