At the age of fifteen, in 1909 Segovia made his first public debut in Granada. He then got involved with later concerts in Madrid in 1912 where he played transcriptions for guitar. After Segovia received recognition inside and outside his own country by 1919, Segovia was ready for a world tour. In that year Segovia performed in South America. There he gained an enthusiastic response. At this time some people considered him as a curiosity, a man trying to find his path. His most important early success occurred at his Paris debut in April 1924. They loved him immediately. His reputation became international. Andres Segovia was born on February 21, 1893 in the Andalusian city of Linares,
Spain. His father was a prosperous lawyer and hoped that one day that his son would join him in his work. Andres’ father, trying to build a wide cultural background for his son, began to provide Andres with musical instruction at an early age. He taught him how to play the piano and the violin, but Andres did not seem to be too enthusiastic about either instrument. When Andres was open to the vocals of a guitar being played his interest in music itself had begun. Even though his parents disapproved of him playing the guitar, Andres still continued to play the instrument. Andres applied his musical knowledge of piano and violin to his study of the guitar. Because of this, Andres developed his own technique; he had discovered quite early that certain piano exercises were beneficial in strengthening the fingers for the guitar. He believed that the guitars rightful place was in a concert stage, but at this time the guitar was considered unsuitable in place like a concert stage. Because of Andres Segovia, the history of the guitar changed forever. Andres Segovia’s performances also helped make guitar makers become famous themselves. His expertise also helped the Yamaha corporation, but his greatest impact was as a teacher. To study with the great Segovia was considered one of the finest honors of a classical guitarist. Segovia felt that he was the person to bring the guitar to an unseen level of fame. And so he did it. Most classical guitarists are in admiration of what Segovia has achieved for guitar. Not only did he enhance most of the developments made in music in the previous century, he gave it an original sound. He added warmth and charisma that no other instrument before it, has ever managed to capture. His infamous technique was that he used the left hand side of his nails and the skin of his fingertips to achieve a great warmth and beauty of tone. This technique was passed on to generations of classical guitarists through the influential of his technique and quality of performance.