The 20th Century Guitar Lesson

Chapter 1: (10:10) Introduction to the 20th Century Lesson Objectives

-Develop right hand arpeggio skills by playing Leo Brouwer's "Etude VI" from "Etudes Simples."
-Learn key stylistic elements of the Modern Period.

Modern Period of Western Art Music

Note: A detailed article pertaining to key stylistic elements of modern music as well as the most influential composers in Western art music will soon be added to the "Articles" section of the site. This area of the site can be accessed through the "Articles" button on the left hand side of the homepage.

Leo Brouwer

Note: For biographical and musical information pertaining to the life and works of Leo Brouwer, please check out the following link.

Etude VI

Danny teaches Brouwer's sixth etude from the collection of "Etudes Simples," or "simple studies" in this lesson. This piece may sound familiar to heavy metal enthusiasts. Randy Rhoads quoted this piece in the introduction section to "Diary of a Madman."

Performance Example

Watch and listen to Danny's performance example at 03:30 several times before you begin to practice the piece. Notice how he plays in a rubato rhythm similar to "The Romance." Also, pay close attention to Danny's left hand technique. Notice how relaxed his hand remains and how close his fingers stay to the fretboard.

Right Hand

Brouwer's sixth etude is an arpeggio study. It features a simple repeating right hand pattern. As discussed in previous lessons, it is always easiest to learn a piece if you can break it down into its individual components. First, isolate the right hand arpeggio pattern. Remove the left hand from the equation altogether by practicing the right hand pattern with open strings.

Use the following right hand fingering for the arpeggio pattern:

Beat 1: P, A, M, I
Beat 2: A, M, I, P
Beat 3: A, M, I, P

This is the most difficult arpeggio pattern that Danny has covered thus far in the series. Play VERY slowly in time with a metronome until the right hand pattern becomes totally automatic and natural.

Left Hand

Isolate the left hand element of this piece before combining both hands together. Simply strum the chords when they change along with a metronome. If you find a particular chord change to be difficult, use the following tips:

1. Do not deviate from the left hand fingerings Danny demonstrates in the lesson video. These fingerings ensure maximum relaxation and economy of movement.

2. Practice the reach development / finger independence exercises presented in lesson 5 of this series.

3. Using the left hand only, simultaneously hammer the left hand fingers into place when making a chord change. This will train the individual fingers to move as one singular unit. Danny demonstrates this practice idea at 04:17 in the following scene.

Combining the Hands

When you can successfully play through the piece as described above, begin to practice the piece as written. Remember to begin at a very slow tempo such as 60 bpm. Focus on small 4-5 measure segments at a time. Chapter 2: (07:08) Etude VI Danny teaches measures 5 - 10 in this scene. Practice these measures using the guidelines presented under the previous scene. Chapter 3: (05:25) Etude VI Right Hand

In measure 11 of the etude, the right hand arpeggio pattern changes (m. 11). The time signature also changes from 3/4 to 2/4.

Isolate this new pattern with open strings. Use the fingering listed below:

Beat 1: P, A, M, I
Beat 2: P, A, M, I

Left Hand

Strum the chords as they change to isolate the left hand component. Drill any difficult chord changes using the hammer-on practice method that Danny demonstrated in the previous scene. In addition, use the pinky as a "guide finger" in measures 12-14. Do not lift this finger from the third string! Simply release pressure from the string so that a string squeak or slide is not inadvertently produced.

Musical Road Signs

Notice that measures 15 and 16 are not repeated!!!

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