Category Archives: Guitar Tips

Fireside Chat with David Tanenbaum – Saturday, May 12th 2:00-3:30 pm PDT

Posted on April 5, 2012 by

I’m excited to announce the next installment of my Fireside Chat series (via SKYPE) with guitarist David Tanenbaum. As a recording artist, concert artist, arranger and educator, David is one of the most important guitarists of the day. His contribution to the guitar’s repertoire through commissions are unparalleled as evidenced by his recordings (over 25) Read More

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Performance Anxiety Q & A with Scott Kritzer

Posted on March 11, 2012 by

Performance anxiety affects nearly every performer, some learn to overcome it, others continue be subject to it’s affects. I suffered greatly from the affects of PA and finally found solutions that are simple and consistent. Join me on Saturday, March 24th from 2:00-3:00 PDT for an informal open discussion on the topic. All instruments welcome! Read More

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Fireside Chat with Michael Lorimer

Posted on March 3, 2012 by

I am very excited and honored to inaugurate my Fireside Chat series with guitarist Michael Lorimer favorite protege of Andres Segovia. Mr Lorimer will be joining the Kritzer Studio via SKYPE on Sunday, March 18th at 3:00-4:30 pm for an open discussion initiated by your questions. What a fantastic opportunity to discuss the lifetime of Read More

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Getting More out of Your Guitar Lessons

Posted on January 29, 2012 by

In our last installment, we discussed how to get more out of your practice time.  Next, we’ll discuss how to get more out of your guitar lessons. While lessons can be expensive, they can also move your playing forward much more quickly than if you study on your own. This post will cover how to Read More

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The Chunking Theory of Learning by Tom Page

Posted on January 16, 2012 by

The following article was submitted by my student Tom Page. It’s a great article and offers some very interesting concepts regarding practice and learning. Great job Tom, thanks! The chunking theory of learning is based on the concepts that: • Performance consists of known patterns (chunks) inherent in the task you are performing • Practice Read More

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Range of Motion for the Right Hand

Posted on January 10, 2012 by

Often players, knowingly or not, limit the range of motion when playing the classical guitar. The ‘Minimum Movement’ movement has propagated this idea. The idea being if you can stay close to the string you’ll be able to player faster, that less movement means less exertion. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. A Read More

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Performance Anxiety Rehab (PAR) PODS

Posted on August 16, 2011 by

The popular informal performance gathering of PAR PODS begins again this fall on Wednesday, September 14th at 7 pm at St. Matthew Lutheran Church located on Canyon Road, east of Hwy 217 in Beaverton. Those who have taken my Performance Anxiety Rehab Workshop (PAR) are familiar with the concepts that we work towards in these Read More

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Integrating Technique into Repertoire

Posted on August 4, 2011 by

I have an embarrassing confession to make. A few years back, I was thinking of playing in a master class for Pepe Romero. I remember thinking, “Wouldn’t it be cool if he saw my right hand and at least thought to himself, ‘Hey, this guy’s got it going on!’” I videotaped myself playing some repertoire, Read More

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Getting More Out of Your Guitar Practice Time

Posted on August 2, 2011 by

In my 5 part series “Getting More,” you’ll learn how to get more from your practice time, lessons, performances, and even from your attendance of concerts and master classes. Part 1-Getting More from your Practice Do you find that you lack the time to practice? Perhaps you find that you’re missing more sessions than you’d Read More

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Right Hand Placement for the Classical Guitarist

Posted on June 12, 2011 by

You can maximize the quality of the sound of your instrument simply by placing your right hand near the back of the sound hole. Often guitarists find themselves playing behind the sound hole, choking the sound of the guitar (I know I have). Watch the following video to find the proper placement of your right Read More

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