Are you a beginner classical guitar player looking to improve your skills and technique? Look no further! These tips will provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to become a great classical guitar player.
We will cover essential techniques and tips to help improve your playing, as well as answering some of the most frequently asked questions.
So, grab your guitar and let’s get started!
First of all, lets understand well of what the classical guitar is and what it looks like.
There are many types of guitar (acoustic, electric, folk, etc.), but the classical guitar is distinguished by its nylon strings and the way it is played.
The classical guitar consists of the body that amplifies the sound, the neck and the headstock with the tuning machines.
The body is divided into three parts: the back, the ribs and
the top.
In the top there is the hole that is fundamental for the production of sound, from where air enters and exits and therefore the sound! Yes, because the sound reaches our ears thanks to the movement of the air caused, in this case, by the oscillation of the strings.
The decoration around the sound hole is called a rosette and is constructed by luthiers using the fascinating mosaic technique.
The strings are tied in the bridge which has small holes for them to pass through and, at the other end, are wound and pulled by the tuning peg.
The head of the guitar has tuning pegs, which are used to tune the guitar: screwing the pegs (turning them clockwise) will increase the tension of the strings and produce a higher sound, turning them in the opposite direction will decrease the tension and lower the pitch of the sound.
In the neck of the guitar there is the fingerboard consisting of 12 frets plus another 7 or 8 on the top.
The classical guitar has 6 strings: 3 metal basses and 3 higher called “trebles” made of nylon or carbon. It is these two materials that give a darker and sweeter sound. Until about 100 years ago, only gut was used, but later, due to its fragility, first nylon was introduced and recently carbon and titanium.
If you want to understand in detail how to choose a guitar, I have already written an article about it 5 tips to choose the perfect classical guitar.
All you need to have good posture is: a footstool, a good chair and a non-slip patch.
Having a good posture and position is essential to start learning and practicing classical guitar. It will help you play better because your hands reach the instrument better, take advantage of natural strength and you won’t have pain.
Here how to get a good position:
•1 Choose a chair that’s not too high and has a flat seat with no sloping
•2 Sit on the tip of the chair (the end) and never on the bottom
•3 Place the footstool in front of the left leg of the chair, open your legs and put your left foot on the footstool. Make sure your knee forms a 90° angle (use a mirror if necessary)
•4 Now you can put your guitar between your legs using the non•slip patch between the guitar and your leg (right or left, or both if you have two patchs)
•5 Make sure your back is straight and your shoulders are free of tension
The left hand is one of the most important aspects of playing classical guitar, as it is responsible for pressing down on the strings to create notes. Proper finger placement and technique are crucial for producing clear and accurate sounds, as well as for avoiding pain and injury.
•6 The left hand plays very close to the fret
•7 The wrist is straight and relaxed, not over-extended
•8 The knuckles are parallel with the strings
•9 The thumb is vertical and never shows up outside the neck. It follows the second finger as a guide and almost all the time is behind this one. Should not be used to press down, but rather to provide support and stability for the hand
•10 The fingers are curved and the strings are touched by the fingertips
The position of your left hand is correct if you will have the painful mark of the string on your fingertip, right after the nail.
The position of the right hand and the movement of its fingers are essential for producing a beautiful tone, and for achieving the desired level of expression and control in your playing.
Here the most important things to know about the right hand:
•11 Your right arm touches the guitar depending on the length of your arm: if it is long then you will lean on the guitar on the part furthest forward from the elbow, if it is not very long it will rest further forward (in the direction of the hand). The most important thing is that you should feel well leaned on the guitar, with the weight well unloaded and balanced.
•12 The wrist is straight with a relaxed and natural arch and the hand is positioned above the rosette, to be precise: your ring finger is on the outer edge of the rosette.
•13 The fingers of the right hand move toward the palm, so try to pinch each string thinking of going to touch the palm of the hand with the fingertip.
•14 The movement is exactly that of a child when he greets by opening and closing his hand. Try this:
a. move your hand as if there is someone in front of you
b. put your hand on the guitar
c. reproduce the same movement as in the first point
So, the position and technique of the right hand when playing a guitar is crucial for achieving a good sound and ease of play. If you follow these tips, the sound of your guitar will be improved and become louder.
The shape of the nails on the right hand can vary depending on personal preference and playing style. Some guitar players prefer to have their nails shaped into a slight curve, while others prefer a more pointed shape.
•15 There is no fixed rule, but the most important aspect is that the nails should be well-maintained and filed smooth, as rough or jagged edges can cause discomfort while playing, as rough or jagged edges can cause discomfort during play, can get in the way, and cause bad sound.
•16 Keep them short enough to pluck the strings but not too long to become the only point of contact with the string.
•17 When you are not satisfied with your sound make sure the nails are smooth and without any corners in their ends (look at the image below). Use a lot of sandpaper (2000 Grit) in those parts of the nails because that is often where the source of the bad sound is.
If you have tried to learn the instrument several times but have always given up after a while due to frustration or lack of motivation, consider the option of starting to study with a teacher. It provides a number of benefits that cannot be achieved by self-taught.
A good teacher will help you progress more quickly and efficiently, gives feedback and correction on technique, which is crucial for developing proper technique and preventing bad habits from forming.
Tuning your guitar is an essential part of playing and should be done before every practice session. There are several ways to tune your guitar, the most common being is to use a tuning app on your smartphone. So, just search for “tuner” in your app store.
The amount of time it takes to learn to play guitar varies for each individual. It depends on how much time you dedicate to practicing, your prior musical experience, and your learning style. Consistent practice is key to making progress. Consistent practice is key to making progress, so setting aside regular practice time each day or week can help you learn to play guitar more quickly.
Tabs are a simplified form of notation that allows you to learn to play a piece faster. But on the other hand, knowing how to read sheet music can open up a vast range of repertoire and resources for guitar players, and can also be helpful for developing a deeper understanding of music theory. So the answer is: yes, you should.
Learning to play the classical guitar can be a challenging and rewarding experience. By following the tips outlined in this article, you will be well on your way to becoming a skilled and confident player. Remember to pay attention to proper posture and hand positioning, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Learning an instrument takes time, patience and dedication but the reward of being able to play beautiful music is worth it. Keep in mind that you don’t have to be perfect from the start, progress comes with time and practice.
With enough time, practice, and passion, your hard work will pay off in the end with a beautiful and rich sound that will be a joy to listen to.
So don’t give up, enjoy the journey and keep practicing! 😊
Roberta
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