In this course, Cuban guitarist Rene Izquierdo breaks down the 20th century's most important series of guitar etudes: Leo Brouwer's Estudios Sencillos. He dives into aspects of technique and musicianship while also offering unique insights into Brouwer's frequent (and often non-obvious) use of Cuban rhythms, adding a subtle popular flair to his compositions.

In this lesson, Rene Izquierdo breaks down Brouwer's Estudio Sencillo no. 1. He offers fingering solutions for both the left and right hand and clarifies the unexpected Cuban influence on some of the rhythms and patterns used by Brouwer.

In the final etude from Brouwer's Estudios Sencillos, Book II, Leo Brouwer makes frequent use of his "fixed position" technique. Watch Rene Izquierdo explain how to use this to your advantage during performance, and how this work was influenced by the rock'n'roll scene of New York City, where Brouwer spent time when this piece was being written.

Rene Izquierdo examines Brouwer's Estudio Sencillo no. 3, breaking down the Spanish influences that characterize the work and how they intersect with the call-and-response and sacred Batá drum patterns typical of the island's Afro-Cuban tradition.

Brouwer's rather lyrical Estudio Sencillo no. 4 is characterized by the syncopation of the treble accompaniment which serves as a great right-hand preparation exercise. Watch Rene Izquierdo break it down in this lesson.

In this lesson, Rene Izquierdo teaches Brouwer's Estudio Sencillo no. 5 - the first etude in the cycle built around a direct implementation of the traditional "cinquillo cubano" rhythm, a five-note pattern often hinted at in many of Brouwer's works.

The second book of Estudios Sencillos by Leo Brouwer contains Etudes Nos. 6 - 10. In this lesson, Rene Izquierdo teaches the first movement of the new cycle. One of Brouwer's most popular works, this first etude features alternate right-hand patterns suggested by the composer, introducing the previously absent aspect of improvisation and hinting at Brouwer encouraging the creation of exercises out of his didactic works.

In this lesson, Rene Izquierdo dives into the most virtuosic of Brouwer's Estudios Sencillos. He explains his preferred right-hand fingerings, the coordination exercises that he created out of the middle section, and how to use right-hand preparation to achieve added security during performance.

Brouwer's Estudio Sencillo no. 8 is based on a popular Bulgarian song and represents the first openly polyphonic work of the cycle. Watch Rene Izquierdo provide his insight into how to best separate the two voices, using a combination of dynamics, fingerings, and note damping to allow the canon to shine through.

In this lesson, Rene Izquierdo breaks down his approach for effective left-hand slurs, a technique that dominates Brouwer's Estudio Sencillo no. 9. He also points out the rather significant influences of various popular Cuban rhythms and explains how to best realize those on the guitar.