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Posted by: Kosei Kubota Sep 11 2007, 12:54 PM

Ask me anything about the classical guitar and classical music in general.

Posted by: muris Sep 13 2007, 09:35 PM

Actually,I don't have any question at the moment Kosei but I wanted to say that I'm really
glad you're here cause GMC now has really good classical guitar instructor!!
Keep up the good work

Muris

Posted by: FretDancer69 Sep 14 2007, 08:22 AM

yeah! your classical lessons are great! I had a quick question, its nothing about classical music, in fact, its the opposite, i just wanted to know if you're into other kind of music, and by that i also mean playing it, etc.

Again, keep up the good work Kosei! Its great to have alot of variety here at GMC, makes the place so much better!

Posted by: Robin Sep 14 2007, 08:36 AM

Indeed your lessons are great. I think I need to give your lessons a shot soon to improve some of my techniques, it could help me improve my fingerpicking blues skills.

Sorry I dont have any questions

Posted by: Kosei Kubota Sep 14 2007, 01:25 PM

Thank you, Muris.

GMC is a great site. I enjoy watching other instructors' lessons.
I had been uploading my vids on You Tube every weekend for a year or so.
Now, I have made it a routine to create a lesson video for GMC every two weeks.

Keep in touch!



One of my guitar heroes is Michael Schenker. I used to own Flying V!
I am not a good electric guitar player, though. I should learn how to play other styles on GMC!



Year, give it a shot! I will look into something to focus on right hand in the future. Thanks for your input.

Posted by: Asphyxia Feeling Sep 14 2007, 03:11 PM

just wanted to say i love your lessons. i really enjoy classical music, and hearing it translated to guitar is awesome. one day i hope to buy a classical myself.

are you classically trained? meaning, you know how to read sheet music and the such? would you suggest trying to learn music this way? right now i can barely read sheet music, but i've made it a goal for myself that if and when i ever get a classic guitar or piano i'm going to learn that way.

Posted by: Asphyxia Feeling Sep 14 2007, 03:27 PM

wow. i just checked out some of your youtube videos.

you are incredible. one day i hope i can be have as skilled as you in classical guitar!

have you ever composed your own pieces?

Posted by: Kosei Kubota Sep 15 2007, 01:13 PM

Yes, I am classically trained and I read music.
Being able to read music definitely expand the possibilities to explore wide variety of music especially if you are interested in classical music.
But I am sure there are many great rock or blues guitarists who cannot read music.
So, I would say that I would recommend it, but it is not the only way.
One thing that is very important for musicians in any genre is ear training, I would say

Posted by: muris Sep 15 2007, 01:17 PM

Yeah,ear training+reading notation+hard practicing=HIT

Posted by: Kosei Kubota Sep 15 2007, 01:26 PM

I have gone through theories for composition in my old musical training, but I have never composed except for my homework for my class!
But I have done many transcriptions for the classical guitar from piano, violin or cello music.
Actually, that's something being able to read music helps a lot.
My You Tube Project couldn't be done if I can't read music.
I guess one's background creates his/her own style and approach to music.



Yeah, hard practicing is a must for any kind of musician.
Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, they were all hard workers!

Posted by: The Uncreator Sep 17 2007, 11:13 AM

What guitars are good for Classical Guitar Playing?

Im looking to learn more, but im a bit of a newbie when it comes to classical guitar.

Posted by: Kosei Kubota Sep 18 2007, 12:07 PM

If you want to use amps, I would recommend Takamine. Takamine guitars with build in microphone have the most natural "nylon" sound. If you like more cool looking, Yamaha silent guitar is a great choice. Although it has more electric sound than Takamine, it is great for both practicing quietly and performing loudly.

Posted by: MG66 Sep 18 2007, 04:54 PM

Hi Kosei,

Approximately twelve years ago, for about three years, I have taken lessons of classic guitar (from which mine incapacitates to use the plettro), I think that a lesson on the right hand is much important for who wants to learn this style.

P.S.
Currently I am taking delight (and at the same time destroying ) with, In the mood (Stewe Howe), Horizon (Steve Hacket), Sonata K.322 (Domenico Scarlatti), Leyenda ((Isac Albeniz)Andres Segovia Transcription).

Posted by: Kosei Kubota Sep 19 2007, 11:17 AM

Hi, MG66!

Yes, I agree that the right hand is more difficult to master in terms of classical guitar playing.
I am still learning myself.

Posted by: Hungus Sep 19 2007, 11:56 AM

Maybe you could do a lesson focused mainly on the right hand Kosei. I have noticed in the classical lessons we have so far on the site there isnt really any focus on the right hand so maybe a lesson with close ups of the right hand and maybe abit of explanation could help us beginners with classical guitar. I think something like this would be great and im sure im not the only one who would appreciate it

Posted by: Kosei Kubota Sep 19 2007, 12:09 PM

Actually, I was thinking about giving classical guitar technique lesson.
The next lesson will be the last part of Bach's Bourree, but I haven't decided what to follow.
I will ask GMC Administrator.

Thanks.

Kosei

Posted by: Vinod Oct 14 2007, 01:54 PM

Hi kosei,
Do you know what I really like in you apart from your Playing ?
It's your Smile. It says that u're very open hearted person,

Posted by: Spiderusalem Oct 14 2007, 02:18 PM

what a sweet thing to say there Vinod.
You know what else is sweet?
Kosei wears his wedding ring in all his youtube videos

Kosei, I just saw the video with your wife and daughter playing together. You have a beautiful family, man. Is it too late for you to adopt me?

P.s. you look more badass with short hair. Like a James Bond Villain almost.

Posted by: spdalton Oct 14 2007, 04:03 PM

こせいさんへ、

こんいちは、

私もクラシクギターが上手だと思います。
今、あなたのユーチューブであるビデオを見ながら、このポストを書いています。
とくに"over the rainbow"と言うビデオが好きです！
ＧＭＣのギターのじゅぎょうも好きです。　また、習うのは楽しみです。

（私はニュジランドに住んでいます。学校で日本語を勉強しています。）
(Hopefully you can understand me! I'm still learning so it probably sounds a bit unnatural and incorrect!)

サムより。

Posted by: Kosei Kubota Oct 15 2007, 02:19 AM

Thanks, Vinod.
My daughter took that picture.
She makes me simlie!

KK




I was just going to have my hair cut! I'll make sure that I won't make it too short!
Thanks!

KK



????

??????
??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

??

Thank you, Sam.
"Over the Rainbow" was arranged for the guitar by a Japanese composer called Toru Takemitsu. I have uploaded some other pieces that he arranged, as well as his own composition. Check them out!

KK

Posted by: spdalton Oct 15 2007, 03:00 AM

Hrm, for some reason the script did not come out in the post!

Posted by: botoxfox Oct 16 2007, 06:42 AM

Hey Kosei, maybe you know something about http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=7680?

Posted by: Kosei Kubota Oct 16 2007, 09:35 AM

It sure does sound familiar.
Are you sure this is a piano piece?
I remember this tune played by strings.

I'll keep it humming and when I come across that tune, I will post it!

KK



I don't know why my Japanese doesn't show.
I can read yours.
Maybe because I use Mac?

Posted by: botoxfox Oct 16 2007, 08:07 PM

Well, I think I remember hearing it on piano...

Posted by: krawetz Oct 20 2007, 07:14 AM

hey i just found this and i didnt know if it would upset you or not
http://www.guitarmasta.net/m/misc_traditional/281276.html




- nevermind andrew cleared everything up for me

Posted by: Kosei Kubota Oct 22 2007, 02:17 PM

Oh, a competitor!
Just kidding. It's a such a famous piece and a good introduction to finger picking style, so I wouldn't be upset.

Posted by: Kosei Kubota Nov 1 2007, 10:46 AM

Hey! I suddenly remember that it might be Haydn Trumpet Concert.
Listen to the third track here:
http://www.amazon.com/London-Concert-Haydn-Hummel-Mozart/dp/B0001ENYO4/ref=pd_sim_m_shvl_img_1/002-1804525-2714436

Posted by: botoxfox Nov 1 2007, 05:38 PM

Aah, yes, it all comes back to me now... It was a trumpet I had heard in the first place, and I didn't remember the piece correctly... Thanks Kosei!

Posted by: Spiderusalem Dec 21 2007, 11:28 PM

Kosei, could you explain the theory behind counter points; how to write/utilize them ect?
Thanks

Posted by: Kosei Kubota Dec 22 2007, 06:41 AM

Hi, Spider!

Well, it will take a series of serious courses to explain counterpoint theory..

But, if I make it really simple, it will be something like this:
1. Compose one line (single part) music. (or, you can borrow a line from someone else's)
2. Add another line that goes nice with the first one.
When doing this, the intervals between two lines creates tension and release.
Dissonant intervals, such as minor/major seconds, tritone, minor/major seventh, have tension,
and they need to be prepared by consonant intervals and released into consonant intervals.

Examples:

--------
---0-1-
-2-----
-3-3-2-
--------
--------

sounds better than:

--------
---0-1-
-2-----
-3-2-0-
--------
--------


The intervals between two lines are:
The first one: major 3rd - tritone - minor sixth
The second one: major 3rd - perfect 5th - minor seventh

The first one has tritone as a dissonant interval. It is prepared by the consonant major 3rd, which has the same bottom note with this tritone.
And this tritone resolves into consonant minor sixth.

The second one has minor seventh as a dissonant interval. It is not prepared, because none of the notes are not in common with the previous ones.
It ends with dissonant intervals.
That's why it does not sound right.

There are many other rules and exceptions, but I think these two examples will give you an idea of what it is like.

I found Wikipedia explains counterpoint well.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counterpoint

Good luck!

KK

Posted by: Ctodd Dec 24 2007, 12:59 AM

Hey quick question about classical guitar,

is it common practice to use a capo on nylon strings?

does it damage the strings when you do?


I'm thinking about getting a classical guitar, and the pieces that i have come up with, that I play on electric, use a capo and I wasnt sure if I would be able to play them on a nylon stringed guitar or not.


Thanks,

Chris

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Dec 24 2007, 02:09 AM

A capo is fine on nylon strings ...

Posted by: Kosei Kubota Dec 24 2007, 10:58 AM

Yeah, I use capo on my classical guitar, too.

Kosei

Posted by: Erol May 13 2008, 01:45 AM

Kosei, I just wanted to say that your classical guitar lessons are great... And it would be nice if you made a lesson about some Chopen's piece.. If that's possible of course (I'm aware that almost all of his compositions are composed for piano)

Posted by: Kosei Kubota May 15 2008, 03:23 AM

Chopin is one of my favorite composer. I have not played any of his piece, but I will look into that. Thank you!

KK

Posted by: btrigorivas May 22 2008, 06:53 AM

Hi Kosei,
I am planning to buy a Godin Multiac Grand Concert Duet, what do you think of it, it has the pickups and an internal microphone, will that make it sound as classical as possible when amplified.
I would like to hear your opinion before taking my desicion.

Posted by: Kosei Kubota May 23 2008, 04:34 AM

Hi!

I have not tried Godin Guitar.
Among the ones I have tried, I would recommend Takamine for Classical sounding guitar with a built in microphone.

Kosei

Posted by: Nighthawk May 23 2008, 06:32 AM

Yeah that's what I wanted to asked you as well. I think there are very few Chopin transcription for guitar. I love Chopin, I own a great CD. It is a Cello and Piano Duo; it is absolutely beautiful. My favourite is his Nocturne in C sharp minor...I really really love it !!!I don't know if it could be played on classical guitar well but maybe you will soon come up with some great Chopin lesson...Thanks for your great lessons so far....and check that out guys: (Everybody who has seen "the pianist" probably knows that piece...) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUIPN9_UOAs&feature=related

Posted by: Kosei Kubota May 24 2008, 05:13 PM

I found some Chopin transcriptions by Francisco Tarrega.
I will look for shorter piece, maybe a Prelude, for GMC lesson.

Kosei

Posted by: Nighthawk May 25 2008, 01:19 PM

That would be great...can't wait...greetings my friend !