Taught by renowned guitaristÂ
Daniel De Arakal
Have you always wanted to play guitar but never knew where to start? Look no further! The tonebase Beginning Guitar Course is your first step on a lifelong journey with music. Daniel De Arakal will take you from the basics of holding and plucking the instrument, all the way to playing your first full concert piece. In addition to the basics of playing the guitar, you'll also learn how to proficiently read music so you can confidently tackle any musical score. At the end of each lesson, you will find suggested composers and pieces to explore so by the end of the course, you'll have over 300 years of classical guitar knowledge at your fingertips!
Getting Started
Welcome to the first lesson of the tonebase Beginning Guitar course! In this lesson, we will be looking at one of the most vital aspects of playing classical guitar - the sitting position. As you will hear Daniel say many times throughout this course, the guitar rewards comfort and relaxation, and that all starts with your sitting position.
The Guitar & Body
In this second lesson, you will be learning about the most valuable tool available to the classical guitarist - the right hand. We will be covering the terminology of the fingers, the different types of plucks and to execute and apply them to the instrument.
The Right Hand
In this lesson, we are going to talk about an element that is fundamental, not only to guitarists, but to every musician in the world. This is, of course, the language of music itself. We’ll be discussing how music is written, how sound, duration, and silence are notated, and how to execute notated music on the guitar.
The Language of Music
Take the learnings you have just absorbed in the previous lesson and put them to work here in "The Practice Room." In this first session, we will be looking at basic rhythms.
Practice Room 1: Basic Rhythms
Take the learnings you have just absorbed in the previous lesson and put them to work here in "The Practice Room." In this second session, we will be looking at mixed rhythms in 4.
Practice Room 2: Mixed Rhythms in 4
Take the learnings you have just absorbed in the previous lesson and put them to work here in "The Practice Room." In this third session, we will be looking at mixed rhythms in 3.
Practice Room 3: Mixed Rhythms in 3
In this fourth lesson, we will be discussing the names of the strings and how they appear on the musical staff. We will also explain how to play these notes in performance and move from one to another in an effective manner.
The Open Strings
Take the learnings you have just absorbed in the previous lesson and put them to work here in "The Practice Room." In this fourth session, we will be looking at the open treble strings.
Practice Room 4: Open Treble Strings
Take the learnings you have just absorbed in the previous lesson and put them to work here in "The Practice Room." In this fifth session, we will be looking at the open bass strings.
Practice Room 5: Open Bass Strings
Take the learnings you have just absorbed in the previous lesson and put them to work here in "The Practice Room." In this sixth session, we will be looking at arpeggios.
Practice Room 6: Beginning Arpeggios
In this lesson, we are going to talk about the structure and function of the left hand, terminology that describes the fingers and frets, and cover a few do’s and don’ts in the fretting of notes.
The Left Hand
In this sixth lesson, we will be applying things we learned in previous lessons about the structure and function of the left hand to the playing of written notes on the first two strings. In the Practice Room, we’ll be applying our understanding of these pitches to our first performance of classical repertoire.
Notes on the First & Second Strings
Take the learnings you have just absorbed in the previous lesson and put them to work here in "The Practice Room." In this seventh session, we will be looking at notes on the 1st and 2nd strings.
Notes on the Third & Fourth Strings
In this lesson, you are going to learn the first few fretted notes on the third and fourth strings, as well as what they look like on the staff. The notes we are learning in this lesson are in the first position, meaning that they can be played while your index finger is over the first fret.
Practice Room 8 - 9: New Strings & Rests
Take the learnings you have just absorbed in the previous lesson and put them to work here in "The Practice Room." In this eighth and ninth session, we will be looking at notes on the 3rd and 4th strings as well as rests.
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Unlock Course →As an established scholar, pedagogue, and performer, Daniel De Arakal has made it his goal to expand access to the classical guitar, its immense repertoire, and its rich history around the world.
read full bio →Explore 1,000+ in-depth lessons taught by GRAMMY winners, Juilliard professors, and world-renowned performers, covering everything from timeless repertoire to advanced technique and artistry.
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