Lead Guitar (Classical)

Lead Guitar is a 501c3 non-profit organization founded by guitarist-composer-educator Brad Richter. Lead Guitar partners with arts organizations and higher education institutions to provide students with experiential learning opportunities at top-notch facilities. Lead Guitar is proudly offered locally in collaboration with the Aspen Music Festival and School.

Lead Guitar students learn classical guitar technique, music theory and literacy, performance skills, and ensemble playing in group classes, through which they develop their self-discipline, self-esteem, and ability to work as a team - attributes that help them realize success throughout their lives! The Lead Guitar curriculum emphasizes music reading, allowing students to become independent musicians, capable of taking their guitar skills to any style of playing. 

The program is designed for students in grades 5 and up. Responsible 4th-graders are welcome to apply but will only be accepted on a space-available basis.

Classes (Green Circle, Blue Square, Black Diamond)

After-school Lead Guitar classes begin on October 14. Each class includes a warm-up routine, weekly lesson objective, and clear practice strategies as students move through the thoughtfully designed Lead Guitar curriculum.

Students in their first year of Lead Guitar instruction always participate in the Green Circle class. In Green Circle, we start at the beginning of Lead Guitar Method Book 1, learning proper set-up, music reading skills, and left/right hand independence on the first songs, progressing into songs with increasing rhythmic complexity. Students progress to the Blue Square class level when they can confidently play Method Book 1 Level One and most pieces in Level Two.

Students in the Blue Square class have had at least one year in Lead Guitar class and can demonstrate proficiency on all Method Book 1 Level One pieces and most Level Two pieces. Some students in their second year of Lead Guitar instruction will be ready for the Blue Square class, while some will be better served through a refresher in the Green Circle class. All students will be reassessed during the first week of class to ensure they are placed into the correct class level.

Students who can confidently play Leyenda (in Level Four of Method Book 1; thumb and fingers) are invited to participate in the select Black Diamond ensemble. Read more about the Black Diamond Ensemble below!

About Black Diamond Ensemble: Are you in high school or a very advanced middle school player? We have an option for you! While we know that most Lead Guitar students are in middle school, we have created a Lead Guitar Black Diamond Ensemble experience for our older and most advanced students. This small group of hand-picked, advanced players work with Lead Guitar Director of Instruction Nick Lenio and Lead Guitar teaching artists on classical guitar technique, advanced ensemble playing, solo guitar, and extended technique. Students will play advanced repertoire, with only one or two students to a part. Students will meet in one of two central locations (Basalt or Carbondale). This experience is for motivated students who want to progress in their own playing and are dedicated to practicing consistently outside of class to make sure they can independently play their assigned parts.

After-School Program Cost: $250

Cost includes 20 weeks of classes (two 45-minute classes OR one 90-minute class per week if selected to be in a Black Diamond ensemble) taught by guitar specialists, performance opportunities, all music materials, and access to Lead Guitar online resources. 

Please note: this is a 20-week program and students should commit to the entire series of classes. 

Guitars

Students in Lead Guitar classes are required to have their own classical, nylon-string guitar. All students should have a guitar ready for the first day of Lead Guitar class. In order to procure a guitar, students have several options:

1. Purchase a guitar through the AMFS at a heavily discounted Lead Guitar-student rate. There are three guitar options for purchase:
   1. Yamaha CGS103A 3/4 Size Guitar, electronic tuner, and soft case: Lead Guitar price = $159. Best for younger students (smaller guitar size) - MSRP $380
   2. Yamaha C40 Full Size Guitar, electronic tuner, and soft case: Lead Guitar price = $170. Standard full-size model - MSRP $405
   3. Yamaha CG102 Guitar, electronic tuner, and soft case: Lead Guitar price = $202. Elevated full-size model - MSRP $480
2. Rent a guitar from the AMFS: A limited number of guitars are available to rent at the rate of $20 per month, for six months.
3.  Apply for an instrument scholarship to use an AMFS-owned guitar for the school year: A limited number of scholarship guitars are available to students who are unable to afford the cost of purchasing a guitar or renting an AMFS-owned guitar while enrolled in Lead Guitar.
4. Bring your own guitar: Students may bring their own guitars, but they MUST be classical guitars (have nylon strings). Not sure if your guitar is classical or acoustic? Watch this video, check the strings (classical guitars have three strings that look like clear plastic (nylon) while acoustic guitars have all metal strings), or take the guitar to Glenwood Music and have them identify it.

* We will bring instruments to each Lead Guitar school on the first day of classes for students who elect to purchase a guitar, students who are renting an AMFS-owned guitar, or students who are granted an instrument scholarship to use an AMFS-owned guitar.

Lead Guitar Performances

• April  16, 2025 – Lead Guitar Showcase | Harris Concert Hall
  • Lead Guitar classes end after the Lead Guitar Showcase in April

To learn more, please contact:
Veronica Lopez, Education and Community Programs Coordinator
Email | 970 205 5059