Overview

This month’s challenge is all about improving your listening skills as a classical guitarist. Each week, we’ll focus on different listening tools to help you:

  • Sharpen your ear
  • Understand musical and technical choices
  • Deepen your appreciation of polyphony and thematic development
  • Set higher musical expectations through broader listening

Week 1: Listening to Guitar Performances

Focus: Listening to classical guitar recordings to observe and discuss musical and technical choices.

Goals:

  • Develop listening habits specific to the guitar
  • Learn to identify expressive tools: tone color, dynamics, articulation, timing
  • Engage critically with interpretation

Call to Action:

Replays:

Week 2: Original Instrumentation of Guitar Repertoire

Focus: Listening to works from the guitar repertoire played on their original instruments.

Goals:

  • Set new aural benchmarks (legato, dynamics, sustain)
  • Avoid being limited by the guitar’s natural constraints
  • Aspire to greater musical expression

Call to Action:

Replays:

Week 3: Guitar & String Quartets with Scrolling Scores

Focus: Studying string and guitar quartets using scrolling score videos.

Goals:

  • Track melodic themes and how they pass through different voices
  • Strengthen voice recognition in a visual + aural context
  • Practice analytical listening skills

Call to Action:

Replays:

Week 4: Orchestral Works with Scrolling Scores

Focus: Analyzing orchestral music with scrolling scores, applying what you’ve learned in a more complex context.

Goals:

  • Recognize themes as they travel across multiple instruments
  • Understand orchestral texture and how it relates to classical guitar arrangements
  • Improve ability to identify voice structure in dense musical settings

Call to Action:

Replays:

Big Picture Goal

By the end of the challenge, you’ll be better equipped to:

  • Hear independent voices in guitar music
  • Set higher expressive standards for your own playing
  • Build a lifelong habit of active, analytical listening

Format

Each week we will host two different weekly live sessions over Zoom, one hosted by Simon, another by Dave. While each weekly session will touch on similar aspects of listening, we will actually listen to different pieces of music. You are welcome to attend either one or both, as you are able. Replays of each session will be uploaded to the Guided Listening Member Challenge Forum.

You do not need to sign up to participate. All Academy members are welcome!

Schedule

  • Week 1: Listening to Guitar Performances
    • November 4 @7pm NYC time with Simon
    • November 7 @2pm with Dave
  • Week 2: Original Instrumentation of Guitar Repertoire
    • November 11 @7pm NYC time with Simon
    • November 14 @2pm with Dave
  • Week 3: Guitar & String Quartets with Scrolling Scores
    • November 18 @7pm NYC time with Simon
    • November 21 @2pm with Dave
  • Week 4: Orchestral Works with Scrolling Scores
    • November 25 @7pm NYC time with Simon
    • November 28 @2pm with Dave

Here is the link to join each of the Zoom sessions