Lesson 3: Working in the Key of C (1st Position) Guitar Lesson
Lesson 3: Working in the Key of C (1st Position)
Pamela demonstrates how to get your fingers warmed up while working in the key of C. Using The "PIMA" technique, this lesson will help open doors to classical style playing. Enjoy!
Taught by Pamela Goldsmith in Classical Guitar with Pamela Goldsmith seriesLength: 11:18Difficulty: 1.5 of 5
-Learn how to play the C major scale in first position.
-Develop right hand technique by applying various right hand fingerings to this scale.
Check Up!
Before you proceed with the remainder of the lesson, make sure that you are sitting and holding the guitar with the proper posture guidelines presented in the previous lesson. Also, make sure that your guitar is perfectly in tune and that your nails are shaped properly. Make sure that you check up on all of these elements prior to every practice session.
Review of Proper Left Hand Technique
Remember that the thumb should remain positioned roughly behind the second finger at all times. Do not let the thumb come up and over the fretboard!
C Major Scale in First Position
Pamela demonstrates the C major scale at 01:30 in the lesson video. Pay careful attention to the stroking movement of her thumb as well as her left hand technique. Notice how the left hand fingers remain arched and close to the fretboard at all times.
Note: Tablature and standard notation to the scale can be found under the "Supplemental Content" tab.
Review of First Position Fingerings
In lesson 1, Pamela mentioned that there are proper left hand fingering designations for each fretboard position. In first position, the first finger plays notes at the 1st fret. The second finger is assigned to the 2nd fret. The third and fourth fingers play at the 3rd and 4th frets respectively.
Practicing the Scale
As you work on this scale, do not worry about speed! Focus on playing the scale musically. Practice all technical exercises as though you are playing a beautiful melody line. Make sure you are playing with a clear tone and steady rhythm. Regular practice with a metronome is the best way to develop your timing skills.
Open Strings in First Position
When performing scales and melodies in first position, the open strings can potentially lead to problems. Do let an open string continue to ring as a fretted note is played on an adjacent string. For example, when descending the C major scale, the open B string is plucked followed by the note A at the 2nd fret of the 3rd string. Do not let the open B note ring in conjunction with the A note. This will create a sharp dissonance. Instead, lightly mute the open B string with the second finger as you pluck the A note with the right hand.
Right Hand Practice
When you can successfully play the scale with the thumb, practice alternating with other right hand fingers. Remember that fingers I and M are predominantly used when playing scalar passages. Consequently, they are an ideal starting point for this type of practice. Continue to alternate fingers I and M as you ascend and descend the scale. Pluck each note twice. Then, repeat the same process while alternating fingers M and A. Go as slowly as you need to!
The next logical step is to play straight up and down the scale without doubling each note. Focus on accuracy and tone when practicing the scale in this manner. Keep in mind that you can never practice too slowly!
Supplemental Learning Material
Classical Guitar with Pamela Goldsmith
Found in our Beginner Lesson SetsThe origins of the classical guitar date back to the fifteenth century. The vihuela, lute, and baroque guitar are the early predecessors of the guitar. With its origins reaching deep into the past, the classical guitar repertoire spans over five hundred years worth of material. Pamela Goldsmith explains the techniques necessary to mastering this timeless art form.
Lesson 1
Introducing Pamela Goldsmith With Classical Guitar
Here we go JamPlay! A new instructor is joining the squad. Her name is Pamela Goldsmith, and she is here to teach us about classical guitar.
Length: 14:58 Difficulty: 1.0 Members Only
Picking Technique
In lesson 2, Pamela provides more introductory information about playing classical guitar. You will learn about nail care and proper tone production.
Length: 17:08 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Lesson 3: Working in the Key of C (1st Position)
Pamela demonstrates how to get your fingers warmed up while working in the key of C. Using The "PIMA" technique, this lesson will help open doors to classical style playing. Enjoy!
Length: 11:18 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
Working in C Major (2nd Position)
In lesson 4, Pamela continues from her last lesson by moving the C major scale to second position. She demonstrates a few new technical exercises in this position.
Length: 14:01 Difficulty: 1.5 Members Only
More Picking Technique
Pamela is back in lesson 5 with more right hand technique. Here you will learn how to advance the "PIMA" technique and work through each finger as you transition from chord to chord.
Length: 9:38 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Learn Malaguena
Pamela Goldsmith once again grants us insight in our quest to learn classical style guitar. In this lesson she explains how to play the classic piece "Malaguena." Lesson topics include right hand patterns,...
Length: 13:28 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Learn Slurring Techniques
Pamela introduces proper slurring technique. Also known as hammer-ons and pull-offs, this lesson will take you on a knowledge bound adventure. You will learn some exercises that muscle memory and dexterity....
Length: 12:31 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Applying Slur Technique to Your Playing
Need more information on how to perform slurs? In lesson 8, Pamela provides additional slur practice with an original study in the key of A minor.
Length: 12:25 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Matteo Carcassi Study in D
Pamela is back with a great lesson on a Matteo Carcassi study in the key of D. Here you will be able to apply the slurring techniques you have learned in previous lessons with an in depth look at Matteo...
Length: 13:10 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Etude Inspired by Leo Brouwer
Today, Pamela has the pleasure of teaching you an original etude inspired by Leo Brouwer. Here you will utilize all the techniques you have learned so far. In addition, you will walk away with a beautiful...
Length: 12:12 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Enhancing Your Overall Technique
In lesson 11, demonstrates how to play the C major scale in diatonic thirds. This lesson will hone your technique and overall knowledge of the fretboard.
Length: 8:55 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Fernando Sor
Pamela brings us Fernando Sor's "Andante." This is a short and sweet piece that reinforces the techniques that Pamela has demonstrated in previous lessons.
Length: 8:12 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 13
Leo Brouwer Inspired Etude
Pamela brings a cap to her first 13 JamPlay lessons with another original etude inspired by the great Leo Brouwer. This is a short but sweet lesson in which you will mainly stay in 1st position but will...
Length: 8:38 Difficulty: 2.0 FREE
P, M, I Picking Techniques
Welcome to lesson 14 in the Classical Guitar Series! Here Pamela demonstrates some fingerpicking exercises that use fingers P, M, and I.
Length: 12:07 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
P, I, M Easy Etude
Pamela demonstrates what she calls her "Easy Etude." This short piece utilizes the P, I, and M fingers.
Length: 17:28 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Dionisio Aguado Study
Pamela takes a look at a study written by Dionisio Aguado. It's in the key of A minor with a P, I, M, I pattern.
Length: 30:39 Difficulty: 3.5 Members Only
Free Stroke & Rest Stroke
Pamela demonstrates the difference between free strokes and rest strokes.
Length: 11:29 Difficulty: 2.0 Members Only
Chords with P, I, M, A
Pamela covers an exercise that uses the rest stroke technique within some simple arpeggio patterns.
Length: 6:53 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
Francisco Tárrega - Lagrima
Pamela teaches "Lagrima" by composer Francisco Tárrega.
Length: 28:32 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
E Major & Minor Scales
Pamela explains the theory and fretboard patterns pertaining to the E major and E minor scales. She also demonstrates Andrés Segovia's famous three octave scales.
Length: 38:49 Difficulty: 3.5 Members Only
Slur Technique
Pamela takes an in depth look at some different slur techniques.
Length: 13:48 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Ornaments
Pamela works off of lesson 21 and demonstrates different ways to create ornaments within your playing. You can hang this one on a tree.
Length: 10:30 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Developing the Fret Hand
Welcome to Lesson 23 of Classical Guitar with Pamela Goldsmith! Here she demonstrates some exercises to develop your fretting hand for classical application.
Length: 11:11 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Spider Walks
Pamela introduces a new fret hand endurance building technique known as "Spider Walks."
Length: 15:41 Difficulty: 4.0 Members Only
Fret Hand Stretching
To help continue with fret hand development, Pamela demonstrates an exercise that improves fret hand reach, finger independence, and flexibility.
Length: 11:21 Difficulty: 2.5 Members Only
A Major Octave Scales
Pamela demonstrates 1, 2, and 3 octave patterns for the A major scale.
Length: 27:15 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Op. 44, No. 11
Pamela teaches Fernando Sor's Op. 44, No. 11.
Length: 28:36 Difficulty: 3.5 Members Only
Aguado Study In A
Pamela presents this study by Aguado. It has a cheerful, circus-like sound and will be a great addition to your repertoire.
Length: 17:51 Difficulty: 3.5 Members Only
Another Aguado Study
Pamela presents another fantastic Aguado study that utilizes all P, I, M, A picking fingers. Pamela also tells a little history about Aguado himself and his style of guitar playing.
Length: 23:53 Difficulty: 4.0 Members Only
Fernando Sor's Andantino
This Fernando Sor piece features light, free flowing movement in 3/8 time. Pamela demonstrates the correct fingering and chord positioning.
Length: 12:07 Difficulty: 3.5 Members Only
Simple Sextuplet Study in G
This study features a sextuplet arpeggio pattern. Expand and apply your current knowledge of classical guitar with this great lesson!
Length: 21:09 Difficulty: 3.5 Members Only
6 String Barre Chords
Pamela dives into techniques that develop your fret hand for barre chords.
Length: 24:54 Difficulty: 3.5 Members Only
5 String Barre Chords
Pamela continues to discuss barre chord techniques. This time around, she moves to the 5th string.
Length: 18:38 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Matteo Carcassi - Op. 60, No. 3
This beautiful Matteo Carcassi piece labeled "Andantino" is presented by Pamela. Op. 60, No. 3 is a great piece to work on to develop your dynamic control.
Length: 39:40 Difficulty: 4.0 Members Only
Romance - Part 1
Pamela introduces the first part of a two part lesson on the classical song titled simply "Romance."
Length: 20:42 Difficulty: 3.0 Members Only
Romance - Part 2
Pamela demonstrates the second part or B part to the classical piece titled "Romance." This lesson complete the piece as a whole and presents yet another opportunity to practice dynamics.
Length: 16:01 Difficulty: 3.5 Members Only
Carcassi Slur Study in D
Pamela uses this Carcassi study to help demonstrate more slur techniques.
Length: 18:51 Difficulty: 3.5 Members Only
About Pamela Goldsmith
View Full Biography
"A native of New England, Pamela Goldsmith was first introduced to
classical guitar by Joe Zuccala in Massachusetts. His inspiration and
guidance prepared her for her future as a student and teacher. Since
studying with Zuccala, Pamela has worked with Keith Crook at the
University of Maine, Jeff Ashton and Bryan Johanson at Portland State
University and Scott Kritzer in Portland Oregon. Pamela has performed in
master classes and continues to perform solo concerts in the Northwest.
Pamela received her Master's Degree in Classical Guitar Performance from
Portland State University and her Bachelor's Degree in classical guitar
studies from the University of Maine in Orono. She has served as a
graduate assistant teacher at Portland State University in downtown
Portland, Oregon, and is an adjunct faculty member at Linfield College
(McMinnville, OR) as well as a private guitar instructor. Pamela is
passionate about the history and vitality of the pieces in her repertoire.
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Member Comments about this Lesson
Discussions with our instructors are just one of the many benefits of becoming a member of JamPlay.Pamela, I am a Palliative Care ( Hospice) chaplain at Saint Joseph's Hospital in Tampa, Florida. I have been working on learning to play guitar for about 18 months. I am wanting to learn primarily fingerstyle. while I started on a Martin D18-s steel string (12 frets and wide nut 1/ 78) I am now drawn almost exclusivily to classical. Our Heart surgeon here Dr. Crayton Pruitt is also a renownend Lutheir and just presented me with a beautiful classical guitar . do you have s series on the 120 right hand practices of guliaina that might help me to know which ones say the 10-15 lessons which would most help me.? do you do consluts ( for a charge) over the phone or scype lessons that might supplement what I am learning on Jamplay? My email address is GeorgelFrancis01@Yahoo.com
Hi, great to have a new classical guitar instructor (i was really looking for it), but please keep focusing on technique on the lessons. Music lessons can be put into phase 3
Pamela, will you teach us music you played in intro to 1st and 3rd lessons, ple-e-e-ase? I am so glad we have another classical guitar teacher!!!!!!!!