Learn to Play Flocons de Neige from RCM Bridges Preparatory Level on Classical Guitar
Flocons de Neige is a fun piece with unique challenges. In addition to being an interesting study in the PAM right-hand pattern, it’s also a brain-bender of sorts.
The RCM Bridges Series has many tunes, old to modern, that are fun to play and musically compelling. The early levels especially are must-haves for any classical guitarist.
Watch the video below for tips on how to practice and learn it, so that you play it beautifully.
Click here to purchase the RCM Bridges Preparatory Level Book.
Click here to purchase the RCM Bridges Preparatory Level Book.
Related: Listen to Other Pieces from the Bridges Series
About Flocons de Neige, by Frederic Costantino:
Flocons de Neige (French for “Snowflakes”) by Frederic Costantino conjures images of falling snow and whirling snowflakes.
With a steady repeating rhythm and all notes in the lower (open) position, we’d think this a simple tune. But it’s remarkable easy to get confused in this piece. Why? It has to do with how the music is written. But if you learn it strategically, you can master it quickly and have a lovely tune to play.
In this free tutorial, you’ll find practice suggestions on how to learn this piece so you stay focused and bring out all the separate elements in the music.
Here, the melody is hiding in the middle voice. This makes it confusing to learn – unless you know how to practice it!
Click Here for other tutorials from the RCM Bridges Series.
About the RCM Bridges Series:
(From Amazon) Bridges: A Comprehensive Guitar Series serves as the official resource for guitar assessments of the Royal Conservatory Music Development Program. Innovative in its structure, Bridges supports students from the beginner to advanced levels with carefully sequenced repertoire, etudes, and technique. Each of the Repertoire and Etudes books in the series spans all major style periods and a variety of genres, presenting an organized compilation of pieces appropriate for that level of technical development. Nine progressive levels of Repertoire and Etudes scaffold student learning at every stage of musical development. Each book contains a balanced and representative selection of works from the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and contemporary style periods. From the classics of Aguado to the modern compositions of Zenamon, Bridges connects students to both essential literature and enticing masterpieces never before found together. The Etudes have been carefully selected to support the repertoire and isolate specific technical and musical challenges, making Bridges an ideal collection and a comprehensive teaching resource.
Repertoire in the Preparatory Level Bridges Book:
Valse d’automne (Autumn Waltz) Composed by L. Gingras
Exercise 13 Composed by E. Barriero
Danse des Iles (Dance of the Islands) Composed by F. Lambert
First Exercise on the E String Composed by Johann Kaspar Mertz
Dutch Dance Composed by H. Neusidler
Flocons De Neige Composed by F. Costantino
Bransle de Poitou Composed by A. Le Roy
Moorish Dance Composed by A. Shearer
Carrousel Composed by Claude Gagnon
Ejercicio Composed by J. Ferrer
Sicilienne Composed by M. Carcassi
Andantino In C Major Composed by M. Carcassi
Aeloian Mode Composed by R. Smith Brindle
The Carousel Waltz Composed by Richard Summers
Waltz, op. 241, no. 1 Composed by F. Carulli
Moonlight Composed by S. Rak
Little Herdboy Composed by O. Kiselev
Sciapodus Composed by S. Bell
Eight Composed by Richard Summers
Torito Composed by J. Zenamon
Klangbild 13 (Sound Picture 13) Composed by C. Domeniconi
Oasis-Express Composed by T. Ogawa
Petit Blues Composed by M. Belanger
Dreams Composed by Richard Summers
Studies Lesson 62 Composed by J. Sagreras
Etude in A Minor Composed by A. Shearer
Prelude No. 9 Composed by A. Shearer
Lesson 46 Composed by J. Sagreras
Andante in C Major Composed by F. Carulli
Lyrical Study No. 14 Composed by J.M. Jackman
White Horse Composed by S. Iannarelli
Ukrainian Melody Composed by Ukranian Folk Song
Lesson 48 Composed by J. Sagreras
Lesson 61 Composed by J. Sagreras
Lyrical Study No. 4 Composed by R.M. Jackman
Lyrical Study No. 9 Composed by R.M. Jackman
A la maniere bulgare Composed by C. Camisassa
The Flask Composed by Jeffrey McFadden
A Simple Dialogue Composed by S. Bell, S. Ninou Bell
Repertoire
Valse d’automne (Autumn Waltz) Composed by L. Gingras
Studies
Lesson 62 Composed by J. Sagreras
Ninou Composed by S. Bell
Click here to purchase the RCM Bridges Preparatory Level Book.
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.
Click here for a sample formula.
I also want to thank you for including more video lessons on the Bridges Guitar Series. I have learned to play Calatayud's Waltz. The most exciting thing about having done this is that I sight-read the entire piece as I was learning it. Six months ago looking at a sheet of music was like looking at Egyptian hieroglyphics. Learning to read notation is empowering and I appreciate the sensible way you are teaching us to learn to read music.
~ Steve Simpler
-Steve Simpler
I appreciate the organized, well thought out progression of each level, as well as a measurable means to determine when to proceed to the next level. I had burned myself out by pushing too hard and playing beyond where I was comfortable. This course is just what I needed, and I am happy to be back on the road to playing again.
~ Susan Kidney
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- Move your hands safely and fluidly
- Enjoy fulfilling practices and meaningful work
- Play beautifully with expression and flow
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organized, effective guitar practice. >>>
