Blog Posts

Mastering Guitar Technique: Process & Essence by Christopher Berg

Mastering Guitar Technique: Process & Essence  by Christopher Berg was first published in 1997, but was used by Christopher Berg for 15 years with his university students (University of South Carolina) before being published by Mel Bay. The book was the first to research physiology and neurology and how these concepts relate to playing the classical guitar. The contents of the book are extensive with a thorough amount of diligent research that contains bibliographic references. … Read More

By Stacy Arnold, ago

Practicing Music by Design

Written by classical guitarist Christopher Berg, Practicing Music by Design: Historic Virtuosi on Peak Performance explores pedagogical practices for achieving expert skill in performance. It is an account of the relationship between historic practices and modern research, examining the defining characteristics and applications of eight common components of practice from the perspectives of performing artists, master teachers, and scientists. The author presents research past and present designed to help musicians understand the abstract principles behind… Read More

By Stacy Arnold, ago

Giuliani Revisited

Giuliani Revisited is a publication by Christopher Berg. If Mauro Giuliani (1781-1829) were alive today, how might his famous 120 right-hand exercises from his Studio per la chittarra, Op.1, be different? Along with about forty of Guiliani’s right-hand exercises from his Op. 1, this book contains about a hundred original exercises by Christopher Berg based on pieces composed since Guiliani’s time and other exercises considered helpful for developing a well-rounded technique and for meeting the… Read More

By Stacy Arnold, ago

The Classical Guitar Companion

Published by Oxford University Press in November 2019, The Classical Guitar Companion, by Christopher Berg features over 200 examples, etudes, and pieces organized to help serious guitar students better navigate the shoals of becoming well-trained and expressive artists. Rather than try to shepherd each student down the same path, the book allows students to approach their training within a flexible and personal curriculum based upon their weaknesses and strengths. The work is organized into eleven… Read More

By Stacy Arnold, ago

Robert Guthrie | An Honorary Tribute

Robert Guthrie | An Honorary Tribute Robert Guthrie (December 26, 1943 – January 17, 2023) International Concert Artist, Teacher, & Composer B. M. (1969) | Classical Guitar | North Carolina School of the Arts Professor of Classical Guitar | SMU  | 1973-2022 Robert (Bob) Guthrie was a world-class guitarist, international concert artist, teacher, and composer who was the second person in the United States to receive a degree in classical guitar performance under a scholarship… Read More

By Stacy Arnold, ago