“Start with these timeless classics!”
Hello, this is Freeman!
When you start playing classical guitar, you’ll come across many practice books and beginner pieces.
Among them, there are fun songs, boring ones, and sometimes even unnecessarily difficult ones.
This time, I’ve picked three pieces that are enjoyable, relatively easy to play, and sound great even in front of others.
If you’re getting a little tired of dull practice tunes, I hope these will give you a fresh start!
By “practice pieces” here, I don’t necessarily mean songs labeled as études. Instead, I’ve selected pieces that are perfect for practice: fun, approachable, and rewarding.
Personally, I used to find many etudes boring—often repetitive and not very exciting.
But these three have stuck with me over the years, and I think beginners will find them both fun and motivating.
For each piece, I’ll cover:
- The characteristics of the piece
- The skills you can gain by practicing it
- Key points for performance
I hope this helps you choose your next practice piece!
“Moonlight” (Op. 35, No. 22) – Fernando Sor
A true classic—probably one of the first pieces most beginners encounter.
Don’t confuse it with Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata! This one is Sor’s “Moonlight” for guitar. Many classical guitarists think of this piece first when they hear the name.
Characteristics
- Slow tempo in a minor key
- Continuous arpeggios throughout
What you’ll gain
- Mastering the basics of arpeggios
- Separating melody from bass notes
- Adding dynamics and expression to your playing
Performance tips
- Always bring out the melody line
- Avoid accidentally touching neighboring strings, which can cut off the sound
Baden Jazz Suite – 2nd Movement (Lullaby) – Jirí Jirmal
A jazz-inspired piece written as a tribute to Brazilian guitarist Baden Powell.
Did the name make you imagine a bar with a bartender?
That’s what I thought too… apologies, Baden!
This suite has three movements, but the second movement “Lullaby” is both beautiful and beginner-friendly. (Save the more challenging 1st and 3rd movements for later!)
Characteristics
- Simple chords with off-beat bass notes
- Instantly creates a jazzy atmosphere
- Easy to play but very rewarding
What you’ll gain
- Developing a strong sense of rhythm
- Playing chords while adding bass notes
Performance tips
- Feel the off-beat bass line clearly
- Keep the chord tones sustained without breaking them
Canson Englesa – Emmanuel Adriaensen
I first discovered this piece through the legendary guitarist Narciso Yepes. It dates back to around the year 1600—yes, it’s that old!
Adriaensen was a lute player and composer, and this piece shows how deeply rooted guitar music is in history.
⚠️ Important: This piece requires scordatura (alternate tuning). Lower the 3rd string from G to F♯.
Without it, the piece becomes unnecessarily difficult.
Characteristics
- A mix of slow and fast sections, major and minor moods
- Very “guitar-like” writing that makes use of open strings
- Looks hard, but easier than it seems thanks to clever fingerings
What you’ll gain
- Playing bass, melody, and chords together
- Learning to separate voices (polyphony) on guitar
- Experience with alternate tuning
Performance tips
- Don’t forget the tuning change (3rd string G → F♯)!
Get comfortable with the fingerings—it may feel tricky at first, but it’s very achievable.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading!
It’s easy to lose motivation when practice pieces feel dull, or when the songs you want to play are way too difficult.
These three pieces strike the balance—they’re approachable, fun, and rewarding for beginners.
Listen to them, and if one catches your ear, give it a try. With some practice, you’ll find they’re very much within reach.
Hopefully, these pieces can become a stepping stone—whether you’re just starting classical guitar or picking it up again after a break.
And if you’d like more inspiration, feel free to check out my channel:
