"What are some cool classical guitar pieces?"
For those who have become accustomed to beginner-level compositions and are looking to play something a bit more challenging, it's only natural to start searching for "cool pieces."
In this article, we've selected cool solo classical guitar pieces from various eras and styles.
While some of the well-known classics are included, there are also lesser-known pieces that you might not have heard of. We hope this provides an opportunity to discover something new.
If you're short on time, feel free to browse through the table of contents and jump to the pieces that catch your interest.
Additionally, if you're interested in just listening to the music, we've created a YouTube playlist for your convenience. You can play it below.
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A Showcase of 10 Cool Classical Guitar Compositions
Tango en skai
Tango en Skai is a signature piece by the renowned Tunisian guitarist and composer Roland Dyens, well-known among classical guitarists.
The term "skai" refers to synthetic leather in French, and the title is a humorous play on words, essentially meaning "fake tango."
True to its name, this composition doesn't adhere to the dense rhythms of traditional tango.
Instead, it offers delightful surprises with expressive moments and rapid, unexpected phrases, making it an enjoyable and fantastic piece to both listen to and play.
It's relatively short, with a duration of less than three minutes, which is quite appealing.
One of the most striking and "cool" aspects is the percussive section with the catchy phrases in the piece, making it stand out.
Many aspiring guitarists have practiced tirelessly to master this specific section, drawn to its allure.
While the composition itself is undoubtedly cool, a closer look reveals its incorporation of several fundamental classical guitar techniques, including string muting, rapid hammer-ons and pull-offs, octave harmonics, and high-speed arpeggios.
So, if you're thinking, "I've got the hang of beginner pieces, let's take on something a bit more challenging," attempting this piece might provide a comprehensive practice of various techniques.
Felicidade
The original composition of this song was created by the famous Bossa Nova composer Antonio Carlos Jobim, well-known for "The Girl from Ipanema," as the theme song for the movie "Black Orpheus."
When people think of "Bossa Nova songs," they might often associate it with a soothing and laid-back style.
However, this time, Roland Dyens, famous for "Tango en Skai," arranged it boldly.
The arrangement is quite striking, characterized by the prominent use of dissonance, leaving a strong impression that lingers in your memory after just one listen.
As always, it's incredibly cool, but in terms of difficulty, it's well, "extremely high."
The composition features phrases where accompaniment and melody intermingle with a 16th-note rhythm.
It includes high-speed harmonics, percussive elements, and other challenging components that demand meticulous finger placement.
To tackle it successfully, you need to be precise not only with your left hand but also with your right hand, particularly when it comes to determining which fingers to use in the high-speed phrases. (But the reward is that it's incredibly cool!)
By the way, the title "Felicidade" is Portuguese for "happiness," but it's translated to "Goodbye, Sadness" in Japanese.
The song is about the joy of the Brazilian Rio Carnival that lasts for a few days and the emptiness that follows once it's over.
Choro No.1
"Choro No. 1" is a composition by the Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos.
Villa-Lobos was a self-taught composer known for his unique style that incorporated elements of Brazilian music. He was also famous for his prolific output, leaving behind a body of work that consists of nearly a thousand compositions, although some have been lost over time, making it a truly astonishing legacy.
"Choro No. 1" commences with a catchy rhythm and a repeated minor phrase. As it progresses, it transitions into a beautiful, leisurely melody in a major key. The latter part returns to the initial minor phrase and seamlessly concludes the piece.
This piece is known for its skillful use of tension chords and an abundance of cool harmonies, which keeps listeners engaged and captivated throughout.
Notably, Villa-Lobos composed a series of Choros, up to the 14th, each with distinct instrumentations. While the first Choro is intended for solo guitar, others are arranged for various instruments like flute, clarinet, piano, and orchestra.
One of Villa-Lobos's remarkable traits is his profound understanding of multiple instruments, despite being self-taught. He also left a set of studies designed for classical guitarists. For instance, the 7th study features impressive fast phrases with a captivating quality that doesn't feel overly "exercise-like." If you're interested, it's worth exploring.
Primavera Portena
"Primavera Portena" is one of the compositions from "Las Cuatro Estaciones Portenas," created by the renowned Astor Piazzolla, famous for his association with Libertango.
The suite comprises four parts representing spring through winter, yet it seems that, especially for solo guitar performances, the most frequently played sections are summer and spring (although summer appears to be more popular).
Interestingly, despite being referred to as "The Four Seasons," Piazzolla originally composed only the "Summer" section. The subsequent parts, "Autumn," "Winter," and ultimately "Spring," were composed in that order, forming the complete suite. Piazzolla did not initially envision "The Four Seasons."
The composition features melodies and chords that evoke a sense of slight unease, creating a striking atmosphere that is quintessential Piazzolla in its stylishness.
"Las Cuatro Estaciones Portenas" has been arranged for solo performance by the Brazilian classical guitarist and composer, Sergio Assad, and this version is commonly performed.
The piece begins with a relatively simple melody centered on single notes. It gradually evolves, introducing more complexity, with impressive lower-register phrases. The mid-section, which features a slower tempo, produces a beautiful and captivating sound. The arrangement artfully builds up to a climax.
Mastering "Spring" through "Winter" and including them in a concert program would undoubtedly be a tremendously impressive and stylish endeavor.
Rondena
"Rondena" is a composition by the Spanish guitarist and composer Regino Sainz de la Maza.
Regino Sainz de la Maza was a guitarist from the same era as Miguel Llobet and Andres Segovia.
In 1935, he was appointed as a professor in the guitar department of the Madrid Conservatory due to his significant contributions to the world of classical guitar.
To be honest, compared to the other pieces in this article, "Rondena" might not be as well-known, but I wanted to feature it from the perspective of its sheer "coolness."
Personally, I'm not particularly skilled in playing heavily traditional classical guitar solos, but every time I listen to this piece, I am overwhelmed, thinking, "This is so cool; I'd love to play it someday."
It's a fantastic composition that encapsulates the allure of classical guitar with its sharp phrases at the beginning, beautiful melodies in the middle, and the climax of arpeggios towards the end. It's a piece that is packed with the charm of classical guitar, and I believe it deserves more recognition.
La Catedral
This is the masterpiece of Agustin Barrios Mangore, the greatest classical guitarist and composer ever born in Paraguay.
Barrios' works gained recognition in the 1970s, thanks to the performances by John Williams.
La Catedral is believed to have been inspired by Barrios' own religious experiences. It's said that "El ultimo tremolo (Una limosna por el amor de dios)," another famous piece by Barrios, was also composed based on a religious experience.
This composition consists of three movements: the first, second, and third movements, each of them containing exceptionally beautiful pieces. However, the most famous part is the third movement, with its fantastic high-speed arpeggios.
Throughout this movement, there are continuous fast-paced phrases, yet it doesn't feel rushed. It successfully captures the solemn atmosphere suggested by the title "La Catedral".
Surprisingly, despite the rapid phrases, the fingering is relatively manageable, which indicates Barrios' profound understanding of the classical guitar.
This piece has become a standard in classical guitar music, and it's performed by many guitarists worldwide. It's fascinating to compare the interpretations by various musicians.
El Colibri
"El Colibri" is a composition by the Argentine guitarist and composer, Julio S. Sagreras.
It has become synonymous with the Japanese guitarist Ami Inoi, who has been active in recent years. Some people might know "El Colibri" even if they are less familiar with Sagreras himself. (I have a similar feeling myself.)
Ami Inoi has hosted challenges like the "Fastest Play Challenge" on YouTube, so many may be familiar with this piece.
Once you've heard it, you won't forget the incredible speed, which is its main attraction, and it's a piece that has tempted many to embrace speed mania.
This piece, well-suited for classical guitar in the key of E minor, features a busy melody with frequent jumps, including 4th and 8th intervals.
Surprisingly, the fingering doesn't include too many difficult maneuvers, and this suggests Sagreras himself was quite a virtuoso.
By the way, "El Colibri" means "The Hummingbird," and the piece's name is a clever reference to the hummingbird's wing fluttering, said to occur at around 55 beats per second.
Although the piece is relatively short, just over a minute in length, its coolness is condensed into this short duration, making it an ideal piece for performance and a challenging solo for those who are passionate about speed.
Usher Waltz
"Usher Waltz" is a composition by the Russian guitarist and composer, Nikita Koshkin.
This piece was inspired by the famous work of detective fiction, Edgar Allan Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher."
It was also composed for the renowned classical guitarist known as the "King of the Guitar," John Williams.
It's an excellent composition that effectively captures the eerie atmosphere of the original story.
The melody, harmonies, and the development from the middle section to the ending are all masterfully executed, ensuring that the piece remains engaging throughout.
Towards the end of the second half, you can observe some less common guitar techniques, such as "Bartok pizzicato," which is rarely seen in classical guitar, and even some chording.
These techniques add an interesting visual aspect to the performance.
It's often said to be one of Koshkin's more popular compositions, and this is quite understandable.
Especially the picking phrase in the middle section isn't too difficult once you get used to it, so trying to play just that part is also recommended.
Sunburst
Sunburst is a signature piece by the contemporary renowned guitarist and composer, Andrew York.
If you have an interest in classical guitar solos, you've probably come across this piece at an early stage, so many of you visiting this site might already be familiar with it.
Moreover, in Japan, it gained fame when Kaori Muraji performed it in a Toyota car commercial, which introduced it to a wider audience.
Besides York himself, other notable guitarists such as Dai Kimura and John Williams, both nationally and internationally, have played it, each showcasing its unique charm and coolness.
Throughout the piece, there's a refreshing and cheerful atmosphere, and the low bass passage in the middle is incredibly cool, making you wonder, "How is this played?"
The tuning is somewhat unconventional, with the 1st and 6th strings tuned down a whole step to the note D. This creates a unique refreshing sound when combined with open strings.
It's somewhat reminiscent of what's colloquially known as "open tuning."
Regarding the aforementioned low bass passage, the unconventional tuning and the use of hammer-ons and pull-offs with open strings make it somewhat easier to play than it sounds (though it's still quite challenging).
Many people have performed this piece, but Andrew York's rendition is arguably the best.
The video starts with the intro, but the iconic "Sunburst" part begins at 2:11.
Un dia despues
"Un dia despues" is a piece composed by the Cuban guitarist and composer, Ray Guerra, specifically for the renowned Japanese guitarist, Yasuji Ohagi.
This composition is considered an answer song to another classic in the world of classical guitar, "Un Dia de Noviembre," which was composed by Leo Brouwer.
The first half of "Un dia despues" features a beautiful, tranquil melody, and as it progresses, the tempo increases, unveiling skillful phrases, including arpeggios, making it a remarkably cool piece.
The composition structure of this piece shares similarities with "Un Dia de Noviembre."
Since it was created as a gift for Yasuji Ohagi, his performances are the most well-known.
However, you can find variations where some performers add their own prelude.
The sheet music for this piece is relatively straightforward, but interpreting it is essential.
If you play it mechanically, it can become monotonous.
On the other hand, overemphasizing tempo variations might make it sound tedious.
To truly bring out the "coolness" of the piece, you need to study and experiment with expressive nuances.
It's a timeless masterpiece that offers long-lasting enjoyment.
Afterword
Did you find the selection of cool classical guitar solo pieces helpful?
If you're someone who appreciates both cool and beautiful pieces, please take a look at the following article.
Also, if you feel like the pieces mentioned here are a bit too challenging, there's another article that compiles solo pieces with lower difficulty levels. I'd be delighted if you could check it out.
Thank you for reading this far.
