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. Pamela is well rehearsed with this nylon stringed instrument and will start out with the basics such as the "PIMA" orientation of finger picking and proper fret hand techniques. This is going to be an exciting series!
Taught by Pamela Goldsmith in Classical Guitar with Pamela Goldsmith seriesLength: 14:58Difficulty: 1.0 of 5
The 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
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 OnlyLesson 2
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 OnlyLesson 3
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 OnlyLesson 4
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 OnlyLesson 5
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 OnlyLesson 6
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 OnlyLesson 7
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 OnlyLesson 8
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 OnlyLesson 9
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 OnlyLesson 10
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 OnlyLesson 11
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 OnlyLesson 12
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
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 FREELesson 14
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 OnlyLesson 15
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 OnlyLesson 16
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 OnlyLesson 17
Pamela demonstrates the difference between free strokes and rest strokes.
Length: 11:29 Difficulty: 2.0 Members OnlyLesson 18
Pamela covers an exercise that uses the rest stroke technique within some simple arpeggio patterns.
Length: 6:53 Difficulty: 2.5 Members OnlyLesson 19
Pamela teaches "Lagrima" by composer Francisco Tárrega.
Length: 28:32 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 20
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 OnlyLesson 21
Pamela takes an in depth look at some different slur techniques.
Length: 13:48 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 22
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 OnlyLesson 23
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 OnlyLesson 24
Pamela introduces a new fret hand endurance building technique known as "Spider Walks."
Length: 15:41 Difficulty: 4.0 Members OnlyLesson 25
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 OnlyLesson 26
Pamela demonstrates 1, 2, and 3 octave patterns for the A major scale.
Length: 27:15 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 27
Pamela teaches Fernando Sor's Op. 44, No. 11.
Length: 28:36 Difficulty: 3.5 Members OnlyLesson 28
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 OnlyLesson 29
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 OnlyLesson 30
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 OnlyLesson 31
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 OnlyLesson 32
Pamela dives into techniques that develop your fret hand for barre chords.
Length: 24:54 Difficulty: 3.5 Members OnlyLesson 33
Pamela continues to discuss barre chord techniques. This time around, she moves to the 5th string.
Length: 18:38 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 34
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 OnlyLesson 35
Pamela introduces the first part of a two part lesson on the classical song titled simply "Romance."
Length: 20:42 Difficulty: 3.0 Members OnlyLesson 36
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 OnlyLesson 37
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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Mike H.
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I'm a fifty eight year old newbie who owns a guitar which has been sitting untouched in a corner for about seven years now. Last weekend I got inspired to pick it up and finally learn how to play after watching an amazing Spanish guitarist on TV. So, here I am. I'm starting at the beginning with Steve Eulberg and I couldn't be happier (except for the sore fingers :) Some day I'm going to play like Steve! I'm self employed with a hectic schedule. With Jamplay I can fit in a random session when I have time and I can go at my own pace, rewinding and replaying the videos until I get it. This is a very enjoyable diversion from my work yet I still feel like I'm accomplishing something worthwhile. Thanks a lot, Greg
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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.Looking forward to complete all the classical guitar lessons
Thank you. This is my first experience with the classical guitar. great exercise and challenge.
This was my first exposure to classical guitar. It's very interesting. The soft nylon strings are a lot more gentle on my tender sore fingers that got shredded from steel strings, so I like that aspect.
looking forward to learning finger style but also like some modern such as titanic theme
Just started today with your lessons I am 57 and wondering if my motorics developed yet ha ha ha , I enjoy it this is a retirement present to myself so I hope I keep enyoing it. THANX
Can I study classical and fingerstyle at the same time. Will the technique counter each other?
Great lesson Pamela, thank you for the introduction!!! Looking forwards to the other lessons.
Just started on Pamela's course and practicing the first finger exercise up and down the strings. To make it a more gradual exercise I have started at fret 5 rather than fret 1. This hopefully means that my fingers will learn to stretch naturally as I gradually move down to start at fret 4, eventually reaching fret 1 with the widest stretch.
the sound sounds beutyful
Is it okay to use a Taylor NS for learning classical guitar or must I get another guitar with a wider neck?
It's Best for the sound and feel of classical guitar music to be played on a traditional Spanish style guitar.
Hello Pamela, I couldn't help but comment about your suggetion regarding putting Nylon Strings on a Steel Stringed Guitar.I have had a Old Harmony Soverign since 1960 and have made the switch back and forth with no problems. It might be good to have a good repairt shop make the evaluation. Nylon works for me with my Steel Striged Guitar.(for over 40 years)
I definitely would never put steel strings on a true classical constructed guitar nor would I put nylon on dreadnought size steel stringed instrument. Other sizes may be lucky with crossing over. I advise guitarists to use their best judgement or seek professional advise from an authorized repair person.
Hey Douglas, sorry you didn't get any response. It will of course work on some guitars, but it could cause problems with others, so I think that's where her recommendation came from. Also, just as a small note, if you want a reply to a question or comment it may be best to post it up on the forums as they get checked daily, where as the comments are a much slower way to interact, and not all teachers check the comments on a regular basis.
Hello,I posted a comment on Jan 6th regarding Nylon Strings and didn't get any response,som I guess there is no comment.
This looks like a fantastic series, great lesson as well. I have to ask though, how good would classical guitar songs sound on my electric guitar? I would get the answer to be: "AS AWESOME AS POSSIBLE!", but maybe not.
Thank you for your comments. Hope you enjoy the lessons!
so fun! welcome - you got the coolest flash intro yet, score!
Ahh..now this is what I have been looking for to play my classical guitar. Thanks.
excellent starter lesson! welcome to jamplay!
I am so excited! I just wish I had more time to spend on JP... darned professors always want to assign umpteen chapters a week.
Can we play these lessons with stealstrings as well ? :)
Yes of course you can! Steel strings just sound louder and more bright... while nylon sound softer and more warm.
welcome pamela! you play wonderfully! looking forward to seeing more from you lesson wise!!!
Welcome Pamela! Good luck!
Just to let you guys know we should have 3 or 4 of her lessons up by the weeks end :)
Good job, Pamela. I'm looking forward to your lessons. Welcome aboard.
Welcome, Pamela!
Cool - love that we have so much variety here at JamPlay - so much I want to learn - time to give up my day job and become a professional guitar student.
I wish I could give all my time to guitar :)
Good something new to add to my repitoire :)
Welcome, Pamela!!!!
Very interesting! I used to study the classical guitar, but had to stop unfortunately. Now I can carry on. Thank you.
Welcome Pamela. Looking forward to your lessons.