GuitarSkool
Welcome to my site. My name is Holroyd Hammond and I’m glad you stopped by. This site is still (and will probably continue to be) a work in progress. My goal here is ambitious: I want to create a place dedicated to the most beautiful, romantic and versatile of instruments – the classical guitar.
For those of you not familiar with this instrument let me explain that the term classical guitar does not strictly imply a type of music but rather a type of guitar and to a technique of playing it. 
The classical guitar is built according to a particular pattern, strung with nylon strings and played with the fingers of the right hand rather than a pick. Any kind of music can be played using classical guitar technique.
My goal is to provide a resource for anyone interested in this instrument as well as my local students and to offer on-line lessons and instruction. I am currently working on an exercise and method series which I hope to make available here soon.
A Brief Argument for the Study of Music and the Guitar
The study of music, when approached from a position of honesty and respect, teaches us, among other things, form, structure, logic, discipline and an appreciation of order and beauty. It gives us an awareness of things outside of ourselves and an understanding of things deep within us.
But most important, it teaches us humility. If you don’t believe this, undertake the study of the classical guitar. If it does not humble you, you will probably never be able to unlock the profound beauty and magic of this noble instrument.
I feel that it is very important, especially for our young people, to pursue a study of serious music and to learn to perform on an instrument, in particular the classical or nylon stringed guitar. The benefits and rewards will astound you.
Why the Classical Guitar?
The classical, or nylon-stringed guitar, has a rich history going back over 400 years. During that time a well-defined technical system has been developed to guide the student toward mastery of the instrument and a rich library of music has been written.
Musical masters through the ages have written, arranged or had their music transcribed for the guitar including Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin, Hayden, Mendelssohn and Scarlatti, just to name a few.
Not only is there a rich library of music for classical guitar but the methods by Sor, Carcassi, Aguado, Guiliani and others are unchallenged for their rich music and splendid exercises for developing technical control.
Benefits
Mastery of classical guitar technique will enable you to perform well in any style – folk, rock, jazz, blues or wherever your passion lies.
The study of the classical guitar is challenging but the rewards are outstanding. It will test you, for the guitar is a difficult and demanding mistress – but the rewards are without measure. There are no shortcuts and it will allow for no cheating. But when you reach that spot of physical, mental, and spiritual alignment and the music begins to flow effortlessly – well, it’s transcendental.
Need More Convincing?
A guitar -
- needs no electricity,
- is recession proof,
- is portable,
- is a good companion in times of loneliness and depression,
- helps prevent and relieve arthritis in the hands and fingers,
- challenges your mind and soothes your spirit, and
it has also been proven that playing music releases endorphins that relax and soothe more effectively than prescription drugs.
Interested?
If you live in the Chester, Rock Hill, Lancaster, or Union areas and want to learn to play the guitar, or if you want to advance in your playing, contact me for more information.
Students of all ages and levels are accepted.
You will learn proper left and right hand technique, note-reading, chord construction, theory, interpretation and much more.
Resources
Note to new students – you will need the book Classic Guitar Technique, Vol. 1 by Aaron Shearer.
Intermediate students will need Classic Guitar Technique, Vol. 2, also by Aaron Shearer.
Both of these books are the best I have found for the study of the Classical Guitar.
For excellent right and left hand development studies, check out Pumping Nylon by Scott Tennant.
For other books on guitar click here.
More Information
Please contact me if you have any questions or would like to find out more.
