Randy and his beloved 1979 Jeronimo Pena Fernandez Classical Concert A06 Special Edition Guitar
This is one of my favourite posts to write as Randy Rhoads is one of my favourite guitarists and classical guitar is one of my favourite forms of guitar playing as it’s so pure.
For those that don’t know Randy founded Quiet Riot prior to joining Ozzy Osbourne for two albums.
Both Quiet Riot and Ozzy feature heavy riffs and leads in their music however Randy, being the musician that he was, delved into classical guitar.
In fact Randy got into classical guitar so much that he told Ozzy that he was leaving the band to pursue a degree in classical music.
Unfortunately Randy died in an aeroplane accident at age 25 and much information about Randy’s classical playing went with him.
However currently we know the following.
Randy playing Op. 60 in A the 3rd etude in Carcassi’s 25 Studies For Guitar
Randy’s Classical Guitar Study Material
Randy started playing guitar at age 7 and reportedly started studying classical guitar in his late teens from the first Frederick Noad book according to Delores Rhoads, Randy’s mother.
Delores has mentioned that Randy would practise 10 – 12 hours per day however that is probably a mix of rock and classical.
Another book that Randy studied from was Matteo Carcassi 25 Studies For Guitar.
David Schramm has said that in the photos of Randy playing classical backstage in El Paso, Texas Randy is playing the 3rd Etude in the book which is Op. 60 in A.
Schramm himself holds a B.M and M.A in classical guitar.
The book is suitable for late beginner – late intermediate players (grades 4-5 though some pieces are graded as 6 or 7).
Randy’s Classical Guitar
We also know that with his first record royalties from the Blizzard of Ozz album Randy bought a very expensive classical guitar (for around $5,000 but this amount is unconfirmed though Ozzy said it was very, very expensive).
Randy bought the handmade guitar from Jeronimo Pena Fernandez who started work as a carpenter and went on to build guitars with great detail and ornation some time during his 20’s. He received the guitar on May 22, 1980.
Randy’s Handmade Fernandez Classical Guitar
The guitar in question is a 1979 Jeronimo Pena Fernandez Classical Concert A06 Special Edition Guitar
Specs are as follows
Back and sides: Brazilian Rosewood
Top: Spruce
Fingerboard:Ebony
Neck:Cedar Spanish
Bridge: Rosewood-Brazilian intricately carved
Rosette Mosaic
Binding:Rosewood
Fingerboard markings: None
Headstock Bindings: Rosewood-Brazilian
Headstock inlay Engraved
Top Trim: Birdsfoot
Tuner: Fustero
Tuner finish:gold etched plating with pearl buttons
Strings:Nylon
Frets:19
Currently the guitar is under care of Randy’s sister Kathy and is stored in a climate controlled vault with the rest of Randy’s guitars.
Randy’s Classical Influences
Randy’s brother Kelle said that Randy was a big fan of baroque music and in particular Randy liked Vivaldi and Johann Pachelbel.
Pachelbel’s Cannon in D probably influenced the guitar parts on Goodbye To Romance.
Leo Brouwer’s Etude VI can be heard in the guitar intro to Diary of a Madman and apparently Brouwer sued Randy for unauthorised use of his music. However when Randy died Brouwer stopped the lawsuit.
Randy’s classical guitar piece ‘Dee’ recorded for his mother features some very typical Bach moves.
What most people don’t know, and this is a discovery made by David Schramm, from Clovis Guitar Lessons, is that the 9/8 and 8/8 bars in the Diary of a Madman intro is very like the bass notes in Tarrega’s Recuerdos de la Alhambra although slightly modified.
Paul Chapman, formerly of the band UFO, remembers Randy playing Cavatina from The Deer Hunter. Randy stated that he particularly liked Paul’s playing on the song ‘Profession of Violence’.
Randy playing his Fernandez classical guitar with its distinct black stripe on the back of the neck
Classical Guitar Lessons On The Road
In the book Crazy Train: The High Life And Tragic Death Of Randy Rhoads then Ozzy Osbourne bass player Rudy Sarzo remembers that he met Randy for breakfast in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Randy was browsing through a local phone book looking for a classical guitar teacher for a lesson that day.
Later at soundcheck Rudy asked Randy how the lesson went and Randy mentioned that the teacher had been a fan of Randy’s and asked him how to play his songs. Randy showed her and even paid for the lesson.
Ozzy drummer Tommy Aldridge remembers that Randy would try to get a classical guitar lesson in every city that they stopped in.
Delores Rhoads has also mentioned that Randy would call ahead and book lessons with the best classical guitar player in towns that he was due to visit.
Randy also wondered whether he could bring a full time classical guitar teacher out on the road with him to help him keep focused as there were a lot of distractions on the road.
The Future
There is no doubt that in this age of technology more information about Randy’s classical guitar playing will be uncovered.
If you find any information, preferably verified, that is not contained in the above post then please let me know so that I can make the above post the most detailed post on the net about Randy’s classical playing.
Thanks To…..
In particular I want to thank two Facebook pages.
Do yourself a favor and follow these pages
Thank you so very much for writing this! Randy was such a phenomenal muscian and amazing person! It’s took a long time to gather this information. A lot of it never known. Sharing information and love of Randy Rhoads his memory pics and legacy and to pay tribute and say thank you for being such an inspiration is my reason for The immortal Randy Rhoads facebook page. \RR/ FOREVER AND EVER!
What a Great post, & Thank you for the mention of Rhoadies!!
I started the page to share the Randy I knew growing up, the kind, humble & Bashful guy he really was. It’s one thing to see photos of the rock star persona but another to get a feel for the person he really was, the man behind the music.
Thank you so very much for this valuable post because for years I wanted to learn more about Randy’s classical guitar background. I always wanted to know what make of classical guitar he had because in the few rare pics of him playing it , the elaborate carved bridge and back of his guitar was so appealing to me. Never did I see one with that beautiful bridge, i would search endlessly online and other media for one like that, but to no avail. Randy was so specially talented in his playing and composition skills that I believe he was the reason why so many young guitarists got into classical guitar and classical music, me included.
Yes, I also play classical guitar because I became aware of it through Randy. I’m currently doing the Trinity Grade 7 exam and loving every minute of it. Thanks for your comment.