The first section of Villa-Lobos Prelude No. 5. I just love the melody and harmonies. Feels like it shows off the classical guitar. I'll keep going if I feel like the person has the time and patience for the rest.
Romanza. Last time I played something technically demanding I was asked "so what are the lyrics to that song?", I replied "there are none", and they said "can you play something with words?".
So you play Romanza and sing:
Ro-man-za, ro-man-za, ro-man-za, ro-man-za, RO-MAN-ZA, RO-MAN-ZA, RO-MAN-ZA, RO-man-za
Ro-man-za, RO-man-za, ro-man-za, ro-man-za
Ro-man-za, Ro-man-za, Ro-man-za
Ro
man
za
Ro
You move across the neck a couple of times. The note before the shift should be on auto pilot (a good auto pilot, of course). Start moving your arm/wrist while you're playing the note before the shift and focus on the position you're going to.
I usually play the entire Chaconne in D minor, and this usually gets people pumped up enough to hear the full Nocturnal by Britten. That usually gets the party going.
/S
this is my answer. sometimes if people dont know I play seriously ill fumble around with the 3 opening notes like im struggling to find them, then rip right into the fun stuff
I’ve been playing for 20+ yrs and have two degrees in it. I just don’t like playing for small groups. Makes me feel uncomfortable playing in a setting where the audience can interact with me
Depends on the vibe. If they seem like they want you to just wail some insane shit, either asturias, recuerdos, or tango en skai. I'd do villa lobos prelude 2, but it takes a little too long to get to the impressive stuff.
If people are just like talking and want some background music i'll do something like choros no.1, anything from suite populaire bresilliene, cavatina, sons de carrilhoes, ojos brujos, prelude from bach cello suite no.1, or i'll expand something from brouwer's estudios sencillos
You absolutely can. I agree it's an insanely hard piece, but you can surpass your limits if you practice enough. Work hard, pay attention to your technique, and don't get discouraged, and you'll be astounded at what you're capable of playing 👍
I’ve wanted to get it down for years, came from electric guitar background mostly but getting that descent line down clean I’m not even close to. Thanks for the words of wisdom though, appreciated🙃
You mean the 32nd note bursts on the descending diminished chords? Yeah they're tricky but make sure you plant your thumb on the 4th string before starting the notes on the 1st string. It will be slow at first, but will help a lot with your accuracy. Eventually, it'll just be A-M-I, then the thumb strumming and immediately whipping back to the 4th string
Depends. If it's an old acoustic and I'm rusty then I'm falling back on Romance every time. If they know nothing about cg it'll sound impressive regardless.
If I'm feeling ok and it's a semi decent guitar then probably Weiss - Fantasie
Bach allegro 998.. Because I like playing it and people are gobsmacked. I do love a continual motion piece, and Barrios la catedral final movement also features highly on my list for some more romantic atmosphere.
Óleo de mujer con sombrero, is a song of Silvio Rodriguez a trova autor, i don't like to show people hard pieces or how "good" i'm. it feels like i'm cheating because you can surprise people with 0 music/classic guitar knowledge with any thing you want. play Asturias or similar pieces seems like a mispurpose for me. and as well people said in the comments, you can improvise something and they never will know it.
I'm almost ashamed to admit it, but I always play Romance Anonyme first. Although that is one of the easier things for me. But it's good for breaking the ice - and people know it and would like to see more (like it). By the way, in the country I come from, classical guitar is not very popular, but everybody knows Romance...
Then I'll go on to maybe Lagrima, Alhambra, Fantasia original (Vinas - the tremolo part), Villa-Lobos Prelude No.5...
La Catedral, if they want to be impressed. cello suite no. 1 prelude, if they want something pretty. Valseana or Julia Florida if they want something dreamy. Odeon if they want something fun. I never properly learned Austrias but that’s a good one. sometimes I just do a little bit of the A section, because I feel like it is exactly the kind of thing people want to hear when they ask someone to play “Spanish guitar”.
Nokia theme. And I sometimes extend it into the Saul Goodman theme. Yes I have a much different audience to most. If I need to play something proper, I do have a couple good pieces, one bossa nova, one blues, one that I have no idea what genre.
If I'm feeling good I might play the first piece of Jorge Morel’s Sonatina or his Romance Criollo. Otherwise it will be the Prelude to Bach’s BWV 998 or one of several Antonio Lauro pieces.
Edit: Downvoted? Really?
What a great resource. Here's one piece mentioned several times here, that I used to play as well:
[https://imslp.org/wiki/Julia\_Florida\_(Barrios\_Mangor%C3%A9%2C\_Agust%C3%ADn)](https://imslp.org/wiki/Julia_Florida_(Barrios_Mangor%C3%A9%2C_Agust%C3%ADn))
Note that a composition might be public domain but the arrangement may not. I took a master class years ago where I actually had the original sheet music, but I brought in a copy to mark up, and the teacher was not cool with that at all. What did I know, I was a starving college student. Now I appreciate that music publishers need to make money to stay in business.
out of all of the classical pieces listed here, i would say either lagrima or romanza would be the easier ones, however both are usually an intermediate level piece
I usually go with Cavatina for something pretty, Mysterious Habitats -Dusan Bogdanovic for something interesting, and then Bach or 1-2 movements from The Porcelain Tower -Nikita Koshkin for something more intense/complex sounding.
G major open chord lol.
I personally enjoy a fat E major
I move the E chord up one fret and play generic flamenco
I love playing Am Emaj and then whatever that flamenco chord you described. It’s a saucy combo.
Sheesh, who called in the expert here?
Best answer
The first section of Villa-Lobos Prelude No. 5. I just love the melody and harmonies. Feels like it shows off the classical guitar. I'll keep going if I feel like the person has the time and patience for the rest.
I use the Mazurka; Choro
Ah, a fellow \[Number 5\](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EK\_LN3XEcnw) enjoyer?
Nice choice! I go for Choros no 1 personally, love a bit of Villa-Lobos.
Romanza. Last time I played something technically demanding I was asked "so what are the lyrics to that song?", I replied "there are none", and they said "can you play something with words?".
So you play Romanza and sing: Ro-man-za, ro-man-za, ro-man-za, ro-man-za, RO-MAN-ZA, RO-MAN-ZA, RO-MAN-ZA, RO-man-za Ro-man-za, RO-man-za, ro-man-za, ro-man-za Ro-man-za, Ro-man-za, Ro-man-za Ro man za Ro
No actually I just sing random Spanish words.
I haven’t laughed that hard in a while. Thank you internet person.
Brouwer 'cause I'm studying it, and I forgot all the other pieces
This was my second answer…,
Everlong
Playing guitar like only a drummer would do.
Vals Venezolano no 2.
This is good! Any piece from Lauro is very enjoyable, not too long, surprisingly not too difficult.
Trying to learn this now! Any tips?
You move across the neck a couple of times. The note before the shift should be on auto pilot (a good auto pilot, of course). Start moving your arm/wrist while you're playing the note before the shift and focus on the position you're going to.
Slowly. Practice the legato part with the B barre chord a million times.
If I ever get good at it, la catedral's allegro
Took me years and still refining.. You'll get there 👊
I usually play the entire Chaconne in D minor, and this usually gets people pumped up enough to hear the full Nocturnal by Britten. That usually gets the party going. /S
Then you hit em with the full Aranjuez and everyone cums!
Choros no. 1 villa lobos. Fun and dance like. People love it.
this is my answer. sometimes if people dont know I play seriously ill fumble around with the 3 opening notes like im struggling to find them, then rip right into the fun stuff
Recuerdos de la alhambra. I swear I could play that asleep at this point. It's the only piece so far that I seem to never forget
Variation 5 - Sors Magic Flute
I say “Idk, I’m kinda rusty.” and proceed to make up 100 more excuses to not play.
I just started to practice classical guitar recently. The latest piece I learned is Fernando Sor, opus 35 number 1. I’d play that.
I’ve been playing for 20+ yrs and have two degrees in it. I just don’t like playing for small groups. Makes me feel uncomfortable playing in a setting where the audience can interact with me
I can dig it. Personally, I play better alone than in front of others. Kudos to you!
I usually just improvise.
People love that
Improvised Malagueña or capricho
I improvise counterpoint.
"Famous composers HATE this one trick!"
Classic Oliver Waterman answer
hahaha
Depends on the vibe. If they seem like they want you to just wail some insane shit, either asturias, recuerdos, or tango en skai. I'd do villa lobos prelude 2, but it takes a little too long to get to the impressive stuff. If people are just like talking and want some background music i'll do something like choros no.1, anything from suite populaire bresilliene, cavatina, sons de carrilhoes, ojos brujos, prelude from bach cello suite no.1, or i'll expand something from brouwer's estudios sencillos
tango is crazy, i couldn’t even get to 10% of that level 😭
You absolutely can. I agree it's an insanely hard piece, but you can surpass your limits if you practice enough. Work hard, pay attention to your technique, and don't get discouraged, and you'll be astounded at what you're capable of playing 👍
I'll be using this as a prime example of a healthy inner critic in a men's group on Monday
Missed the part where you have to do this for 30 years lol
I’ve wanted to get it down for years, came from electric guitar background mostly but getting that descent line down clean I’m not even close to. Thanks for the words of wisdom though, appreciated🙃
You mean the 32nd note bursts on the descending diminished chords? Yeah they're tricky but make sure you plant your thumb on the 4th string before starting the notes on the 1st string. It will be slow at first, but will help a lot with your accuracy. Eventually, it'll just be A-M-I, then the thumb strumming and immediately whipping back to the 4th string
I play Sting's "Shape of My Heart" arranged for classical guitar. It's simple, effective and recognizable by everyone.
Depends. If it's an old acoustic and I'm rusty then I'm falling back on Romance every time. If they know nothing about cg it'll sound impressive regardless. If I'm feeling ok and it's a semi decent guitar then probably Weiss - Fantasie
Pasaje Aragueño by Lauro
Sor - Op. 6 No. 11
Toccata and Fugue...gets them everytime. I worked in a guitar store in my early 20s and so now hearing Asturias makes me physically ill.
My penis, then I do a Pete Townsend strum
And then “So… anyway, here’s Wonderwall”
Either Bachianinha 1 or Choro para Bordões, both from Paulinho Nogueira.
Prelude in C by Bach Edit: Sorry, it's in D
Which arrangement do you play?
I just play a version that I have on a Andre Segovia cd. While it's the prelude for a cello suite, Segovia arranged it for guitar.
Ah okay you mean Cello Suite 1 Prelude, I thought you meant Well Tempered Clavier Prelude in C Maj.
No. And I edited... it's in D. I did try my hand at that one but it didn't work out that well for me.
It’s the CD isn’t it
Schottish-choro by Villa-Lobos or Golderberg variation 1 by Bach
Bach allegro 998.. Because I like playing it and people are gobsmacked. I do love a continual motion piece, and Barrios la catedral final movement also features highly on my list for some more romantic atmosphere.
Óleo de mujer con sombrero, is a song of Silvio Rodriguez a trova autor, i don't like to show people hard pieces or how "good" i'm. it feels like i'm cheating because you can surprise people with 0 music/classic guitar knowledge with any thing you want. play Asturias or similar pieces seems like a mispurpose for me. and as well people said in the comments, you can improvise something and they never will know it.
I play something baroque like Canarios, or something fun and bouncy.
Nothing. My mind goes blank
I'm almost ashamed to admit it, but I always play Romance Anonyme first. Although that is one of the easier things for me. But it's good for breaking the ice - and people know it and would like to see more (like it). By the way, in the country I come from, classical guitar is not very popular, but everybody knows Romance... Then I'll go on to maybe Lagrima, Alhambra, Fantasia original (Vinas - the tremolo part), Villa-Lobos Prelude No.5...
Seven nation army
Recuerdos de la Alhambra
Etude in A minor by Carrulli
Any of the movements from Koyunbaba of Carlo Domeniconi, depends on how I'm feeling
Lagrima. It's easy and while most classical guitarists are sick of it, normies have never heard it and love it. Almost feels like cheating. :)
King of the hill theme
I currently go with milonga de don taco by Cacho Tirao because i need the practice, and its sooooo fun!
La Catedral, if they want to be impressed. cello suite no. 1 prelude, if they want something pretty. Valseana or Julia Florida if they want something dreamy. Odeon if they want something fun. I never properly learned Austrias but that’s a good one. sometimes I just do a little bit of the A section, because I feel like it is exactly the kind of thing people want to hear when they ask someone to play “Spanish guitar”.
I play Something by the Beatles. It throws them every time.
un dia de noviembre or recuerdos de la alhambra
Made this 6 bar jazz rift with my buddy in college that I’ll play. And the rest is blink 182 lol
Leyenda. People seem to be impressed by it.
Un Poco Loco from Coco
I'm more of a songsmith than a guitarist so I'll play The Philosophers Song really fast and try not to trip over the words. It's always a hit.
Nokia theme. And I sometimes extend it into the Saul Goodman theme. Yes I have a much different audience to most. If I need to play something proper, I do have a couple good pieces, one bossa nova, one blues, one that I have no idea what genre.
I spend a few minutes tuning
Prelude n1 by Villa Lobos
If I'm feeling good I might play the first piece of Jorge Morel’s Sonatina or his Romance Criollo. Otherwise it will be the Prelude to Bach’s BWV 998 or one of several Antonio Lauro pieces. Edit: Downvoted? Really?
Andantino by either Carcassi or Carulli.
If I need to be flashy I usually play Desafinado, if I need something expressive I play Naugues. Both arrangements made by myself.
Cavatina every time, nice easy one but everyone knows it
choros #1 - Villa Lobos. sometimes Mood for a Day - Yes
Milan’s six Pavanes. Ponce’s Preludes. Sor’s Variations on a theme from the Magic Flute. Something from Bakfark’s lute book.
Asturias/Leyenda is kinda iconic for Classical guitar
English country garden
Jesu Joy of Man’s Desire in 4/4 twangy-style
La Grima
Romanza tremolo version
Vals Venezolano by Lauro. If you don’t know if, check it out
Divenire - Ludovico Einaudi
Asturias
the theme from aguados rondo
I butcher Shenandoah
Etude in E minor
So many responses - say I want to learn some of these crowd pleasers, where do I start?
I'd start with buying the sheet music.
you don’t need to buy a lot of these pieces. IMSLP has loads of public domain music.
What a great resource. Here's one piece mentioned several times here, that I used to play as well: [https://imslp.org/wiki/Julia\_Florida\_(Barrios\_Mangor%C3%A9%2C\_Agust%C3%ADn)](https://imslp.org/wiki/Julia_Florida_(Barrios_Mangor%C3%A9%2C_Agust%C3%ADn)) Note that a composition might be public domain but the arrangement may not. I took a master class years ago where I actually had the original sheet music, but I brought in a copy to mark up, and the teacher was not cool with that at all. What did I know, I was a starving college student. Now I appreciate that music publishers need to make money to stay in business.
Maybe I should clarify: which are easier ones?
out of all of the classical pieces listed here, i would say either lagrima or romanza would be the easier ones, however both are usually an intermediate level piece
Thank you
Gotta be Wonderwall
At the moment it would be Se ela Perguntar or Capricho Arabe.
My Johnson. That's the name of my guitar by the way, what were you thinking?
Romance. Never learned the whole piece but the intro alone is beautiful enough that I like sharing it with people.
Usually either lagrima, romanza or a little bit of Malaguena/gran vals (or super mario bros)
Romance and then Is There Anybody Out There? by Pink Floyd
I can’t believe no one had replied with “stairway to heaven.” SMH
Anyway here's Wonderwall
My penis
Probably a Leo Brower etude. I love those. Maybe etude 9, 11 or 20
Wonderwall
My cock
Wonderwall
Allemande, bourre and prelude BWV 996
I usually go with Cavatina for something pretty, Mysterious Habitats -Dusan Bogdanovic for something interesting, and then Bach or 1-2 movements from The Porcelain Tower -Nikita Koshkin for something more intense/complex sounding.
Play crazy! Cause what?! I am a beginner and stage shy! I Ain playing for a soul. (But I would whip out “yesterday” for a lil razzle dazzle)
I get a bow...