Masterclass Workshops

Interactive workshops for (guitar) associations, music schools and artist seminars.

The timbre of Heitor Villa Lobos.

The first prelude for guitarsolo from Heitor Villa Lobos has become worldfamous and definitely is part of the standard repertoire of every classical guitarist.In this workshop we will focus on the specific timbre of this composition and the necessary techniques. In two of my own compositions I will show you how you can become inspired by this specific timbre. It is an interactive workshop in wich guitar-technique plays an important role.

In preparation for this workshop, participants can download the following documents:

Prelude no 1: Heitor Villa Lobos

Hatikvah: Dingeman Coumou

Impromptue: Dingeman Coumou

How do I play Jazz Standards as a solo arrangement on a classical guitar?

This workshop explores a tradition in which well-known vocal repertoire is adapted into a solo arrangement for classical guitar.

One of the most beautiful examples from classical guitar literature is the song "Ständchen" by Franz Schubert for piano and voice, which Johann Kaspar Mertz (1806-1856) adapted for guitar solo. This work is discussed in the workshop piano compositions or orchestral works on classical guitar. In that sense, editing of a jazz standard for classical guitar is a continuation of this. The guitar-technical problems that this entails, as well as interpretations of various jazz styles, form the content of this workshop.

In preparation for this workshop, participants can download the following book:

Jazz standards on classical guitar. Dingeman Coumou

Misty, transcription for classical guitar: Dingeman Coumou

Tremolo technique for the classical guitar.

Francisco Tarrega's Recuerdos de la Alhambra is one of the most famous pieces in romantic guitar literature. Characteristic is the soloistic way of playing in which a mandolin-like melody sounds, which is simultaneously accompanied by an underlying arpeggio. Many would like to learn to play this piece but think that the tremolo technique is only reserved for the very best virtuosos. This workshop uses a series of exercises to explain how the guitarist can master and maintain this technique. We practice the practical application of this technique on a tremolo arrangement of Romance Anonymous and the authentic version of the Recuerdos de la Alhambra as Tarrega originally composed it for a student.

In preparation for this workshop, participants can download the following manuscripts:

Tremolo techniek. Een beknopte instructie. Dingeman Coumou.

Estudio in E-moll in tremolo. Francisco Tárrega / Arrangement Dingeman Coumou.

Romance anoniem in tremolo. Anoniem / Arrangement Dingeman Coumou.

Recuerdos de la Alhambra. Francisco Tarrega.

El Ultimo Trémolo. Una Limosnita por Amor de Dios. Augustin Barrios.

N.B. The Recuerdos de la Alhambra is the most famous tremolo composition for guitar. El Ultimo Trémolo by Agustin Barrios is perhaps the most masterly composition in this genre. If desired, this composition can also be part of the material to be treated in this workshop. The above workshop took place on November 27, 2012 in Bennekom for guitar association Pro Guitarra, region Ede.

De twee bovenstaande workshops hebben tijdens de juibileumviering 2010 n.a.v. het 15-jarig bestaan van Muziekvereniging Pro Guitarra plaatsgevonden en zijn mede mogelijk gemaakt door ondersteuning van de volgende fondsen:

Piano compositions or orchestral works on classical guitar.

This workshop examines a tradition in which well-known piano or orchestral repertoire is adapted into a solo arrangement for classical guitar. In that sense, this workshop bears a resemblance to that of the Jazz standards on classical guitar. The aforementioned Johann Kaspar Mertz (1806-1856) was also a master of orchestral repertoire editing. The guitar-technical problems as well as interpretation views form the content of this workshop.