Blog
news, tips, shows, and more
Guerra-Peixe’s works for guitar (with subtitles for listeners and lessons for guitarists)
I started a project to raise the spotlight on a very important yet neglected Brazilian composer, Cesar Guerra-Peixe. He is a unique case of a composer who is considered a key figure in two RIVAL musical movement in Brazil, the Musica Viva, focused on avant-gard music,...
Competing and improving
Last week I wrote in this blog about the cancelation of a traditional guitar competition due to the Covid-19 restrictions making it impossible to organize an international competition (https://alvarohenrique.com/en/from-cancelations-to-smiles/) This week I'm...
From cancelations to smiles
What a week! It started with the surprising decision by the Guitar Foundation of America (GFA) to cancel its International Concert Artist Competition after a first round took place. Not an easy decision, and they have good reasons for that, but nonetheless...
Guitar Foundation of America cancels its 2020 International Concert Artist Competition
Guitar Foundation of America (GFA) announced it will cancel its 2020 International Concert Artist Competition. Before, GFA moved to a format with the preliminary round taking place in online format, as the last event on its online convention. The semifinal and final...
A new routine for guitar and music lovers…
Dear Music Lover, Finally I made it to have an online routine that works for me, and could allow me to share with you my ideas - also in English! Have you checked it at the top of the page? I believe you did. On Mondays and Thursdays I will share with you some short...
Informance: Theme
This Friday, July 24, 12:00 (NYT), 18h (CET), I'll broadcast on my YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/c/AlvaroHenrique) an informance: a musical show with information and performance. We'll be talking about theme, a major musical aspect used in musical compositions,...
Aria, from Bachianas Brasileiras nº 5 | Virtual Duo | Jonas Goes, viola and Alvaro Henrique, guitar
After a great first experience with Jonas Goes, viola player with the City Orchestra of Americana (SP - Brazil), we kept having fun with this virtual duo, each one at his own home, that is getting known during this social distancing covid-19 period. The Aria from the...
RC Strings online competition is open
Royal Classics Strings is with an online guitar competition open. Guitarists may enter the competition from today, July 10th, to July 24th. The entrance fee is free, and the sent video must be from 05 to 10 minutes long with free choice program. Awards include...
Guitar tip: sightreading
Sightreading is a skill like all others. It needs to be practiced everyday to get better, and it must be practiced for its own sake. https://youtu.be/fK1QxRLhO18 www.ismlp.org www.alvarohenrique.comSubscribe:...
(inter)nationalisms online
Complete video of a concert at Musical Fridays Online Concert at Casa Thomas Jefferson, streaming version of the tradicional concert series that happens in Brasilia for decades, organized by the cultural binational USA-Brazil center Casa Thomas Jefferson....
Guitar tip: crossing
Crossing is a technical challenge that happens often when playing scales (but can also happen in other occasions). It consists of placing the right hand fingers temporarily on a non-ergonomic position. The a finger can solve most of crossing problems. Get a fast tip...
Join the largest classical guitar world event – and this edition is free!
The Guitar Foundation of America (GFA) Convention, an annual event hosted in different cities each edition (mainly at the USA, but there were editions in Mexico, Canada and Porto Rico), begins this Sunday, June 21st. The event includes lectures, Q&A,...
(inter)nacionalismos at Casa Thomas Jefferson online
It's online the streaming concert I recorded with flutist Diana Mota for the Casa Thomas Jefferson, a USA-Brazil binational cultural center in Brasilia. The repertoire features music from Spain, Brazil, Argentina for flute and guitar and a special surprise at the end....
Guitar tip: figuetta
Figuetta is a right-hand technique used in early music (vihuela, lute, teorbo, etc) that creates an unique swing. Learn how to play the figuetta and how you can achieve its sound qualities even not using it. https://youtu.be/zQBfk3jiq-4
Tip of the day: repairing nails
Nails are the main source of sound production on the classical guitar, so if a nail brakes, cracks, or have any damage, they need to be repaired in order to mantain a good tone in any circumstance. This tip shows how to make fast and durable repairs with fake nails...
Tip of the day: nail shape and length
Finding the right nail shape and length for guitar playing is a treasure hunt without maps. But this quest may be easier if you consider how the guitar strings "see" the nail, not how you see it. Your nails are grown to sound well, not for fashion purposes. Learn how...
Tip of the day: right hand sleeve
You have invested on a handmade guitar. You wish to keep it new and to enjoy all its tone qualities. Using a right-hand sleeve will allow you to protect your guitar soundboard from sweat on the top, and will help your right-hand technique to reach different regions...
Tip of the day: left hand positions
Beggining June 1, 2020 and as long as the quarentine lasts in Brasilia, Brazil, I'll post tips for you, in English, on Mondays and Thursdays. Today's video was about how to reach all the regions on the guitar, as Abel Carlevaro describes.Check them...
May 22, 18 EST 23 GMT – Diana Mota (flute) and Alvaro Henrique (guitar) live at Casa Thomas Jefferson
Duo Mota-Henrique is the synthesized forces of flutist/composer Diana Mota and guitarist Alvaro Henrique. Together, they explore and blend the best of classical and Brazilian popular music — offering audiences sophisticated intimate concert experiences without the...
Recommendation: Abel Carlevaro Library
Materials, such as sheet music, scores, arrangments, manuscripts (in several versions, in some cases), editions, among others, from Abel Carlevaro's personal archive are now avaiable free and online. Abel Carlevaro was the most important guitar teacher in the 20th...
