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Guitar Requirements

First Year

Technique

Scales

  • Shearer Scale Pattern Studies for Guitar
  • Part Two — the higher position scale forms (five majors and their relative minors).

Arpeggios

  • Selected studies from Carcassi (Op. 60), Aguado, and Giuliani Arpeggios and Etudes for Guitar

Studies

  • Shearer Slur, Ornament, and Reach Development Exercises.
  • Shearer Classical Guitar Technique, Volume II — Shifting studies, exercises and pieces in the higher positions, and harmonics.
  • Fingerboard Harmony I

Repertoire

  • Bellow: Renaissance and Baroque Collections - one suite and selected pieces.
  • Aguado and Sor Etudes (at least four).
  • Works by 19th- and 20th-century composers.

Departmental Examination

Based on the above.

Second Year

Technique

Scales

  • 2 and 3 octave major and minor (melodic and harmonic) scales in all keys, and the chromatic scale covering the entire range of the guitar, from memory—all practical combinations of right hand fingering. Read scale pattern exercises fluently in all keys throughout the higher positions.

Arpeggios

  • Giuliani Arpeggio Studies, Op. 100 and Op. 83
  • Arenas Methods for Guitar, Volume VII
  • Fingerboard Harmony II

Repertoire

  • One suite and selected pieces from the Renaissance and Baroque periods
  • Milan Pavanas (Myers Edition)
  • Pujol Edition Antologia of Vihuela Music
  • Carcassi Etudes, Op. 60
  • Aguado Etudes
  • Sor Etudes and Minuets
  • Selected compositions by Romantic and contemporary composers such as Tarrega, Ponce, Villa Lobos and Torroba.

Departmental Examination

Based on the above.

Third Year

Technique

Scales

  • In 3rds, 6ths, octaves, and 10ths from Giuliani: Op. 1. Arenas: Vol. VII

Comprehensive development through continuation of technical studies of the first two years, emphasizing accuracy, tone, legato and an increase of tempi. Intensified left hand development through advanced slur and reach development exercises.

Repertoire

  • Four concert pieces from the Renaissance and Baroque periods.
  • Selected preludes, etudes, and compositions by contemporary composers.
  • One ensemble work from such composers as Boccherini, Schubert, or Paganini.

Departmental Examination

  1. Half-recital, 25-30 minutes (playing time).
  2. Fifteen minute jury based on above repertoire.

Fourth Year

Technique

Scales

  • In triads throughout the practical range of the guitar.

Further development and refinement of technique through advanced scale, arpeggio, and slur studies emphasizing tone control (shading), dynamic control, and velocity.

Repertoire

  • Bach A suite.
  • A sonata or a suite by a 20th-century composer.
  • A concerto by a composer such as Vivaldi, Giuliani, Carulli — or a contemporary work.

Departmental Examination:

  1. Recital, 50 — 60 minutes (playing time).
  2. Fifteen minute jury of excerpts selected by the faculty from the recital program.

The student should be prepared to play a recital repertoire in its entirety in rep class at the beginning of the fall semester in order to guarantee recital approval for that year. This standard also applies to graduate students.

 

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