Fernando Sor, often called the "Beethoven of the guitar," wrote hundreds of exercises and studies throughout his life. However, it was Andrés Segovia who curated a specific set of 20 that he believed captured the essence of both technical mastery and musical artistry.
If you are looking to start, you might consider easier alternatives like Sor's Opus 60 before diving into these twenty. Ready to start practicing?
Start with No. 1 and No. 5, master the balance of voices, and you will find that the rest of the classical guitar repertoire becomes significantly more accessible.
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: These studies address critical technical areas, including arpeggios, scales, slurs, and complex position shifts.
Speed is a byproduct of accuracy. Use a metronome to ensure rhythmic precision.
These are not meant to be learned in a day. Focus on one study for several weeks. Fernando Sor, often called the "Beethoven of the
Focus on arpeggios, tremolo (in some interpretations), and control over dynamics between voices.
(Original Sor Op. 29, No. 13) Focus: Slurs (hammer-ons and pull-offs), left-hand independence.
A majestic, allegro work utilizing broad chord voicings and fast harmonic changes. Ready to start practicing
It is important to note that Segovia’s edition is not a mere reprint of Sor's original scores. He was an artist and an editor of his time, and he made significant changes, adding his own interpretive markings.
: Segovia’s editorial marks and fingerings are designed to maximize the "musical effect" rather than ease of play, making them a significant challenge for even intermediate players. Breakdown of the 20 Studies
: A distinct feature (and common point of debate) is that Segovia often chose "unnecessarily awkward" fingerings. These were intended to prioritize specific tonal colors or phrasing over the physical ease of playing. classicalguitarmagazine.com Reference Table: Segovia No. vs. Original Opus
The articulation marks guide the student to highlight the melodic voice above the accompaniment. Technical Breakdown of Key Studies
