Classical Guitar Repertoire for Intermediate Players

Ready to take your classical guitar playing to the next level? As you move beyond the basics of open strings and first position, a world of beautiful and challenging repertoire opens up. This guide will help intermediate players navigate the vast landscape of classical guitar music, offering insights into pieces that will refine your technique, deepen your musical expression, and solidify your identity as a guitarist. Finding the right classical guitar repertoire for intermediate players is a crucial step in your musical journey, one filled with discovery and immense satisfaction.

Defining the ‘Intermediate’ Classical Guitarist

The term “intermediate” can feel vague. It’s not about how many years you’ve been playing, but rather what skills you’ve consolidated. It’s a dynamic phase of learning where you’re building on a solid foundation and beginning to tackle more nuanced musical and technical challenges. Recognizing where you are in this stage is the first step toward choosing pieces that will help you grow without causing frustration.

What skills should an intermediate player possess?

An intermediate guitarist has generally moved past the initial hurdles of learning the instrument and can comfortably demonstrate a range of core abilities. If you find yourself ticking most of these boxes, you’re likely ready for the repertoire discussed in this article.

• Reading Music: You can read standard notation fluently in the first few positions and are becoming comfortable with notes up to the 7th or 9th fret.
• Barre Chords: You can execute full and partial barre chords without excessive buzzing or hand fatigue, holding them for several beats.
• Slurs and Ornaments: You have a working knowledge of hammer-ons, pull-offs, and perhaps simple trills and mordents.
• Scales: You can play major and minor scales in common keys (like C, G, D, A, E, Am, Em) across one or two octaves.
• Right-Hand Technique: You can play arpeggios with some consistency and are beginning to differentiate between tirando (free stroke) and apoyando (rest stroke) for melodic emphasis.
• Basic Dynamics: You understand the concepts of forte and piano and can apply them in simple phrases.

Common challenges and goals at this stage

The intermediate phase is where many players encounter their first significant plateau. Challenges often shift from “how do I make a sound?” to “how do I make it sound beautiful?” Your primary goals now revolve around refinement. This includes improving the speed and evenness of your scales and arpeggios, developing better tone control, learning to shape musical phrases, and increasing your left-hand stamina for more demanding pieces. A key objective is to bridge the gap between playing notes correctly and truly making music.

Assessing your readiness for new repertoire

Before diving into a complex piece, it’s wise to gauge your readiness. A great way to do this is to pick up a collection of studies, like the famous Matteo Carcassi’s 25 Melodious and Progressive Studies, Op. 60. Try sight-reading one of the earlier studies (like No. 1 or No. 3). Can you get through it, even slowly? Do the technical demands feel achievable with practice, or completely out of reach? This kind of self-assessment helps you choose pieces that are in the “stretch zone”—challenging but not impossible—which is the sweet spot for musical growth.

Essential Repertoire Cornerstones

Once you have a sense of your capabilities, you can begin selecting pieces. The best classical guitar repertoire for intermediate students is balanced, addressing different aspects of your technique. Think of your practice time as a workout routine for your hands and musical mind; you need a variety of exercises to develop well-rounded strength and flexibility.

Pieces for developing musicality and expression

This is where you learn to tell a story with your music. These pieces often feature beautiful, lyrical melodies and straightforward harmonies, allowing you to focus on phrasing, dynamics, and tone color.

• Francisco Tárrega – Lágrima: The quintessential short, romantic prelude. Its A-B-A structure is easy to grasp, and its soulful melody is perfect for practicing vibrato and dynamic shaping.
• Leo Brouwer – Un Dia de Noviembre: A hauntingly beautiful piece with a simple, hypnotic melody. It teaches control, sustained notes, and creating a mood.
• Fernando Sor – Study in B minor, Op. 35, No. 22: Often referred to simply as “Sor’s Study in B minor,” this is one of the most famous and expressive studies ever written. It’s a masterclass in separating melody from accompaniment and using tone to create a melancholic atmosphere.

Works focusing on left-hand dexterity and coordination

These pieces are the gymnastics of the guitar world. They are designed to strengthen your fingers, improve your shifting accuracy, and build your stamina for more complex passages.

“The studies of Fernando Sor are the foundation. They do not dazzle, but they are wise. They contain the nutrients to feed a guitarist’s technique for a lifetime.”

The aforementioned studies by Fernando Sor and Matteo Carcassi are indispensable here. Carcassi’s Op. 60, No. 7, is a fantastic workout for arpeggios combined with left-hand shifts. Sor’s Op. 60, No. 19 is a classic scale study that will build speed and precision. Don’t just play them mechanically; strive to make them sound like music. The goal is coordination, not just speed.

Repertoire for right-hand precision and tone production

The right hand is your voice. The pieces in this category focus on drills that will give you control over volume, tone, and articulation.

• Mauro Giuliani – Op. 1, Part 3, “Le Papillon”: This collection of short, charming pieces contains a wealth of right-hand patterns. Something like Op. 50, No. 13 is a great exercise for P-i-m-a arpeggio control.
• Heitor Villa-Lobos – Étude No. 1: While many Villa-Lobos etudes are advanced, Étude No. 1 is often one of the first that intermediate players tackle. It is a relentless arpeggio workout for the right hand, building tremendous stamina and control. Approach it slowly and focus on evenness.
• Dionisio Aguado – “New Guitar Method”: Aguado’s method is filled with exercises dedicated to right-hand patterns. Working through some of his arpeggio studies is like taking a vitamin for your technique.

An actionable takeaway here is to dedicate a portion of your practice specifically to these technical goals. For instance, you could start each session with a right-hand arpeggio study, followed by a left-hand scale workout, before moving on to your more “musical” expressive piece.

Exploring Stylistic Diversity

One of the greatest joys of the intermediate stage is that your improved technique unlocks music from different historical periods. Exploring these styles not only keeps your practice interesting but also teaches you about different musical languages and aesthetics. This is a vital part of building a well-rounded classical guitar repertoire for intermediate players.

Baroque gems: Bach, Weiss, and Scarlatti on the guitar

Playing Baroque music on the guitar is mostly an act of transcription, as the instrument looked different in that era. It’s a challenge that teaches immense finger independence and clarity.

• J.S. Bach – Bourrée in E minor (from Lute Suite BWV 996): This is a rite of passage for almost every classical guitarist. It’s a perfect introduction to counterpoint—the art of weaving two or more melodic lines together. The key is to make both the bass line and the melody sing independently.
• Sylvius Leopold Weiss – Fantasie: Weiss was a contemporary of Bach and a master of the Baroque lute. Many of his shorter dance movements, like minuets or sarabandes, are transcribed beautifully for the guitar and offer a slightly different contrapuntal flavor. Check out a reputable edition like those found on IMSLP.
• Domenico Scarlatti – Sonata in A major, K. 322: While many of his 555 keyboard sonatas are virtuosic, some, like K. 322, are perfectly suited for the intermediate guitarist. They are full of cheerful Iberian folk influences and are great for practicing clear, crisp articulation.

Romantic era masterpieces: Tárrega, Coste, and the Spanish tradition

This is the era where the guitar truly came into its own as a solo concert instrument. The music is emotional, lyrical, and idiomatic to the instrument.

Francisco Tárrega is king here. Besides Lágrima, his mazurkas like Adelita and Marieta are essential character pieces. They teach the subtleties of rubato (expressive timing) and legato. Napoléon Coste, a French contemporary, wrote 25 Etudes Op. 38 that bridge the gap beautifully from the Classical to the Romantic styles. His Study No. 22 is a beautiful piece that requires careful handling of melody and harmony.

20th-century and contemporary explorations: Villa-Lobos, Brouwer, and more

Moving into the 20th century, harmony becomes more adventurous and rhythms more complex. This music can feel unfamiliar at first but is incredibly rewarding.

• Heitor Villa-Lobos – Preludes: While his five preludes are concert staples, Prelude No. 4 is the most accessible for an intermediate player, focusing on chords and melody in the lower register. It’s a great introduction to the lush, atmospheric sound world of the Brazilian master. Chôros No. 1 is another must-learn piece, capturing the spirit of Brazilian street musicians.
• Leo Brouwer – Estudios Sencillos (Simple Studies): This collection of 20 short studies is a modern classic. Each one explores a specific technical or musical idea, from modern harmonies to Afro-Cuban rhythms. Nos. 1-10 are a perfect starting point.

To get started, pick one piece from each era. This ensures your musical diet is varied and your technical development is comprehensive. You’ll learn how a slur in a Bach piece feels different from a slur in a Brouwer piece.

Beyond Solos: Duets and Ensemble Playing

While the classical guitar is often a solitary pursuit, playing with others is one of the most beneficial and enjoyable activities you can engage in. It sharpens skills that solo practice simply cannot address.

Benefits of playing with others

The advantages of ensemble playing are immediate and profound. You develop a rock-solid sense of rhythm, learn to listen intently to others while playing, and are forced to adapt your dynamics and phrasing to blend with a partner. It’s also incredibly motivating and a wonderful way to connect with fellow musicians.

Accessible duets for intermediate players

The 19th century is a goldmine for guitar duets. Composers like Ferdinando Carulli and Mauro Giuliani wrote volumes of them, often with a “primo” (first) and “secondo” (second) part of varying difficulty. Look for Carulli’s Op. 92 duets or Giuliani’s Op. 68. This is a fantastic way to play music with a friend, even if one of you is slightly more advanced. The famous “Valse” from the movie The Deer Hunter by Stanley Myers is also a gorgeous, accessible duet.

Introduction to larger guitar ensemble opportunities

Many cities and universities have guitar ensembles or guitar orchestras. These groups play music arranged for quartets, sextets, or even larger groups, covering everything from Renaissance music to modern film scores. It’s an amazing experience to be part of the rich, harp-like sound of a guitar orchestra. A quick online search for “guitar ensemble near me” or checking with a local classical guitar society is a great way to find opportunities.

Strategies for Effective Repertoire Learning

Having a list of pieces is one thing; knowing how to learn them efficiently is another. The way you practice determines how quickly and how securely you will master new music.

Breaking down complex pieces

Never try to learn a piece from beginning to end in one go. Look for its structure (e.g., A-B-A, verse-chorus). Isolate the most difficult 2-4 measures and work on them exclusively. Once you can play that small section perfectly three times in a row, integrate it back into its musical phrase. This focused, surgical approach saves time and prevents you from practicing your mistakes.

The importance of slow practice and metronome work

This cannot be overstated. Your fingers learn patterns through repetition, and if you practice fast and sloppy, you are telling your muscles to learn sloppiness. Set your metronome to a painfully slow tempo where you can play a passage perfectly. Only then should you increase the speed, notch by notch. Slow practice with a metronome is the secret weapon of every great musician. It builds accuracy, rhythmic integrity, and, paradoxically, is the fastest way to learn to play fast.

Memorization techniques and performance preparation

Memorizing music is a skill that can be trained. Don’t rely on just muscle memory, as it’s the first thing to fail under pressure. Use a multi-pronged approach:

1. Analytical Memorization: Understand the piece’s harmony and structure. Know that you’re moving from a G major chord to a C major chord in the next bar.
2. Aural Memorization: Be able to “hear” the next section in your head before you play it.
3. Visual Memorization: Visualize the score in your mind’s eye.
4. Motor Memory: The classic repetition-based practice.

Once memorized, practice performing. Play for a supportive friend, your family, or even your pet. Record yourself. This simulates the pressure of performance and helps you work through any weak spots before you’re in a more formal setting.

Resources for Further Exploration

Your journey with the classical guitar repertoire for intermediate players is just beginning. The resources below will help guide you further and connect you with a vibrant global community.

Recommended sheet music editions and publishers

Not all sheet music is created equal. A good edition will have logical, well-thought-out fingerings and will be sourced from reliable manuscripts. Look for publishers like:

• Schott
• Ricordi
• Chanterelle
• Dover (excellent for affordable, public-domain collections)
• Editions Orphee

Online retailers like Strings by Mail or your local specialty music shop are excellent places to find these high-quality editions.

Online communities and educational platforms

The internet has revolutionized guitar learning. Platforms like tonebase Guitar offer lessons and masterclasses from world-renowned concert artists on many of the pieces mentioned here. Online communities, like the Delcamp Classical Guitar Forum, are invaluable for getting feedback, asking questions, and connecting with other passionate guitarists.

Tips for finding a good teacher or mentor for intermediate study

While online resources are great, nothing can replace the personalized feedback of a good teacher. A teacher can diagnose technical issues you didn’t know you had, provide tailored repertoire suggestions, and offer crucial musical guidance. Look for instructors at local universities, community music schools, or through the Guitar Foundation of America. A teacher’s role at the intermediate level is to help you refine your skills and unlock your unique musical voice.

Conclusion

The journey through the classical guitar repertoire is an incredibly rewarding one, filled with discovery, challenges, and profound moments of beauty. The intermediate stage is a particularly exciting time, as your technical abilities begin to catch up with your musical aspirations. By carefully selecting pieces that both challenge and inspire you, practicing with intelligence and patience, and connecting with the wider guitar community, you will continue to grow as a musician and an artist.

We hope this guide has inspired you to explore new pieces and continue your musical development. What are your favorite intermediate classical guitar pieces, or what challenges are you currently facing? Share your thoughts and repertoire suggestions in the comments below!