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Ramon Amira -> The Complete Beginner's First Lesson - A Play in One Act (Dec. 7 2011 16:24:24)
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Recently on the Delcamp classical guitar forum there was a thread where a complete beginner student had been given "Romance" to play right off the bat. Many members pointed out that that was not the best way to start, and that a student really needs to first learn basic technique.
Well, I am also a playwright, so that thread has inspired me write this little play which I had posted on Delcamp. I thought some members here might enjoy it as well, so here is "THE COMPLETE BEGINNER'S FIRST LESSON."
The Complete Beginner's First Lesson
A Play In One Act
By
Ramon Amira
Time: The present
Place: The classical guitar studio of Sr. A. Poyando
Characters: Sr. A. Poyando – Teacher of Classical Guitar
Mr. T. Rando - Complete beginner student
At Rise:
Sr. Poyando, middle fifties, is sitting running through some scales. There is a knock on the door.
Teacher: Come in.
(Student enters carrying a guitar case. He is in his early twenties)
Student: Hello. I'm Mr. Rando
T: Come in. Have a seat. (Mr. Rando sits)
S: (taking out his guitar) I just bought a new guitar. I hope its suitable.
T: What make is it?
S: It's an Esteban.
T: An Esteban? Is that the guy who looks like the Lone Ranger?
S: Yes, that's him. He's quite a virtuoso.
T: He is? How do you know?
S: He said so. That's why I bought the guitar from him.
T: Okay. Well, let's start the lesson. Tell me, I know you said you're a complete beginner on guitar, but have you ever had lessons on any other instrument?
S: Yes. I took a violin lesson once.
T: One lesson?
S: Yes. It didn't go too well.
T: What happened?
S: Well, I was a complete beginner on violin also. He sat me down, put some music on the stand in front of me, and said, "Play this!"
T: What was the music?
S: Paganini's "Moto Perpetuo."
T: He gave you that on the first lesson?
S: Yes.
T: That was foolish. He should never have given you something like that to play before the third lesson.
S: Right. And I thought that he should have at least shown me how to hold the bow.
T: Well, have no fear. I won't do anything like that.
S: You mean you won't ask me to play Moto Perpetuo?
T: No, no – I mean I won't ask you to play anything you're not ready for.
S: Oh, that's a relief.
T: First you have to learn how to hold the guitar.
S: Oh, I already know that. I've been watching videos.
T: Which player have you watched?
S: Esteban.
T: Esteban the virtuoso?
S: Right. Isn't he incredible?
T: He's that all right. Okay, let's get started.
(Puts down some music on the stand)
This is your first piece. It's entitled, "Romance."
S: Sounds romantic.
T: Yes, well . . . Okay. First you place the pinky of your left hand on the seventh fret of the first string.
S: What's a fret?
T: Those little metal bars on the fingerboard.
S: What's a fingerboard?
T: That long black piece of wood on top of the neck – wait! Don't ask – the neck is that long piece of wood – oh never mind. Just put your left pinky right here.
(S puts his pinky on the seventh fret, first string)
T: Okay. Now you strike the first string with the third finger of your right hand – that's called A.
S: Why is it called A?
T: It stands for annular. But that's not important. Just strike the first string with it.
(S strokes the sixth string with A)
T: No, no – the FIRST string!
S: Isn't this the first string?
T: No, that's the sixth string.
S: Well, it's the first string that meets the eye. Why isn't this one called the first string?
T: Why? Because . . . because . . . well, actually I don't know why it isn't. Look, this one here is the first string. Just do a rest stroke to start.
S: What’s a rest stroke?
T: Don't you know ANYTHING?
S: No. I'm a complete beginner, remember?
T: Oh, yes. Well, let's continue. Strike the first string and let your finger come to rest on the second string – (hurriedly) that's the one next to it.
S: (Does a rest stroke) (all excited) I played a note!
T: Congratulations. Incidentally, that kind of stroke is called apoyando.
S: Apoyando. Hey – rhymes with your last name.
T: Could we continue?
S: Sure. What do I do next?
T: Now with M you do a free stroke on the second string.
T: (Nodding his head as he says in unison with S) "What's a free stroke?"
T: A free stroke is when you DON'T come to rest on the next string. It's called tirando.
S: Hey – rhymes with MY last name.
T: (looks to the heavens) Let's just do the stroke.
(S does the stroke, but nothing comes out)
S: Nothing came out.
T: That's because A is still resting on the second string.
S: It shouldn't be?
T: No.
S: Then why did you tell me to rest it there in the first place?
T: Because . . . (pauses in puzzlement) . . . (confused) . . . because . . . well, there must be a reason. Don't mix me up. Now just strike the third string – that's this one – with a free stroke with I – that's this finger. Don't worry, it'll come out.
S: (Plays the third string) Hot ziggety! Another note!
T: Now we're getting somewhere! Okay, let's play that whole sequence again, but this time after you do the rest stroke take your finger off.
S: (All excited) Okay – let me make sure I have it straight. First I play the seventh stroke on the A fret with an apoyando free stroke, then I play the M string with a third string stroke, then with the I finger I play the open string making sure it's not closed.
T: Something like that. Well, the hour is just up. We've made enormous progress. Go home and practice everything for a week, and next week we'll go straight to work on the SECOND beat of the first measure.
S: Thank you so much. You've inspired me.
CURTAIN
Copyright 2011 Ramon Amira
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