Staccato

Alexander Dunn, Head of the Guitar Program at the University of Victoria talks explains “how good teaching has now been spread around the world, so now, we can hear high-level players from all corners of the globe” – and: “how it’s not unusual to see an eleven – year old from Shanghai or a twelve – year old from Eastern Europe playing at - or beyond the level of Julian Bream or Andres Segovia in the seventies.” Alex discusses how the guitar has matured from the early era and the welcome end to what he terms “the Segovia tyranny.” We also talk about how “it’s absolutely imperative for the musicianship of a serious guitarist to always be engaged with other people” like singers, wind instruments, string instruments, ensembles or orchestras. The modern classical guitar itself is also discussed as it’s changed so much physically in the last twenty-five years with innovative methods of construction. And Alex talks frankly about how today’s classical guitarists, in large, are not prepared for a tough job market “