Note: This is NOT a full, note-by-note course. This is a "Study Guide", with tips on phrasing, problem-solving, and practicing.
This prelude is one of Johann Sebastian Bach's best-loved pieces. Written for the solo cello, it fits extremely well on the classical guitar. This piece is at the intermediate to advanced level. Pieces like this grow with you. It's just as fresh and engaging after twenty years as it is when first learning it. The prelude can be played at most any speed, and has infinite opportunities for expression and musical interpretation. If you plan on playing guitar for many years, this will be a worthwhile project. This prelude will challenge and delight you for years to come. This Study Guide features almost an hour of detailed practice tips and approaches for phrasing and interpretation. After this Study Guide, you'll understand the piece better, and have concrete take-aways to explore in your practice. Some of the concepts and suggestions in this Study Guide are more advanced. As such, you may find something to use in your practice now, and can return later for new challenges and ideas.Includes:
6 VideosIncludes PDF Materials
Lifetime Access

Course Level: ADVANCED
This course is at the ADVANCED level. To play this piece well requires a solid foundation of classical guitar technique and experience learning from music notation (though TABs are included). The notes may be anywhere on the fretboard. The music is likely complex and physically challenging. There may be large stretches, bar (barre) chords, or other strenuous demands. Pieces at this level often take longer (several months up to a year or more) to master.
About CGS Study Guides
CGS Study Guides are like a series of lessons on a single piece, all condensed into a few videos. What may take weeks or months with a teacher are presented here for your own self-paced study.
You’ll get suggestions on varied subjects, which may include:
- How to count and play any tricky rhythms
- How to polish difficult transitions
- How to phrase the music, when to swell or fade
- How to apply advanced phrasing techniques to make the music more beautiful
- How to practice so you learn the piece most quickly
- How to memorize the music more easily
- How to troubleshoot hard spots
- How to avoid common traps that slow players down
- How to make small changes that make big differences
- How to understand the composer’s intentions
- How to choose the right tone quality for each part
- How to make the melody sing
- How to make the rhythm more lively
- How to practice to increase your speed and precision
- How to maintain the piece after you learn it
- among others
When you purchase a CGS Study Guide, you get lifetime access to all videos and materials. You also get full support and your questions get answered via on-page comment or email.
Members of The Woodshed Program get full access to all courses and Study Guides for the life of their membership. Note: Videos stream only and are not available for download.
How are Study Guides different from the CGS Full Courses?
The CGS Full Courses go note by note, and are extremely detailed. Many of the full courses are upwards of 30 or more videos.
This makes for a thorough and beneficial learning experience. But they do require a substantial time investment to complete.
Study Notes, on the other hand, are condensed lessons. They assume you (the student/player) can figure out the basic notes and fingerings. So the suggestions are more often on how to improve upon what you can already do.
Focus is on understanding the music, and bringing it to a high level of technical and musical mastery. To this end, potential problems are addressed, and opportunities highlighted. Study Guides are usually from 20-40 minutes of video.


100% Satisfaction Guarantee, Plus…
I want you to be completely happy with your new course. If you don’t feel it’s the best choice for you, email me within 30 days and request an immediate 100% refund.
But a refund isn’t enough. In addition, you can also choose ANY premium course or Study Guide to keep, just for your time. (You can even choose a more expensive course than the one you purchased.)
In the worst case, you’ll learn some new skills without spending a penny. In the best, you’ll have a fun new adventure exploring music and guitar. Either way, you have nothing to lose and much to gain!
Sincerely,
Great Work!!! I thank you sincerely for all the effort you have put in and the terrific work you do for the classical guitar community.
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Life is good, still enjoying [The Woodshed Program], the progress is life altering, I love it. The physical challenges of my situation have rained havoc for over half my life. In spite of those little pests this 40$ Yamaha classical who needed a new home and your course has given me the "part the clouds for the sun to shine through" outlook. You see, even when I am unable to play I know she patiently waits for my return as I do. A giant void in my journey was filled with light.
-Ken Montz
Since a year ago with my subscription to CGS it has been for me a pleasurable adventure and a discovery of all the facets of the classical guitar.
Your dedication and enthusiasm, as well as your talent, in the tuition is quite contagious (well, lets hope also for your talent) and has made it fun and useful in my progression. Also the weekly tip that you mail us and the Facebook group is excellent.
-Michel Donnet

Hi, I’m Allen Mathews.
I started as a folk guitarist, then fell in love with classical guitar in my 20’s. Despite a lot of practice and schooling, I still couldn’t get my music to flow well. I struggled with excess tension. My music sounded forced. And my hands and body were often sore. I got frustrated, and couldn’t see the way forward. Then, over the next decade, I studied with two other stellar teachers – one focused on the technical movements, and one on the musical (he was a concert pianist). In time, I came to discover a new set of formulas and movements. These brought new life and vitality to my practice. Now I help guitarists find more comfort and flow in their music, so they play more beautifully.
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Frequently Asked Questions
I am truly enjoying the growth and challenge that the Woodshed material provides. I look forward to working hard and learning much in the years ahead. Thanks for all the effort and care that you have taken in providing these lessons and resources!
-Mark Whitsett
Hello Allen,
I feel my guitar proficiency is improving considerably. Every day I’m exceedingly comfortable with my right hand technique and overall fluency. And my sight-reading has improved as well. Thank you for creating the Woodshed. It’s thoughtful construction and scope and sequence of knowledge and skills has advanced my guitar skills significantly. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
-Michael Immel




