Guitar/Classical Guitar
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[edit] Classical Guitar
The classical guitar has a historical development that can be traced back to the lute and vihuela music of the 15th century. It is this historical basis that gives the classical guitar its technique and repertoire. Of all the guitar disciplines, it is the classical guitar which has the greatest amount of literature and music available to the student. One of the greatest of the past masters of classical guitar, Andres Segovia:
"The strongest advice I give to my pupils is to study music properly from the beginning to the end - like the career of a sergeant or a physician, it is the same. It is a shame that most guitarists are absolutely clean of this knowledge. My advice is to study music properly and not to omit any knowledge of music and not to be very impatient about giving concerts. He who is impatient mostly arrives at his goals late. Step by step is the only way"
Quote from Segovia! A 13-part series aired on National Public Radio. First aired April 1983 and produced by Larry Snitzler (Classical Guitarist) and hosted by Oscar Brand (Musicologist/Folk Guitarist).
Any guitarist who wishes to learn to read music should use classical works. Classical studies are designed to develop the student's sight-reading skills at the optimum speed. Classical guitarists use standard works to learn from; especially the works of Fernando Sor (1778–1839), Mauro Giuliani (1781-1829), Matteo Carcassi (1792-1853) and Francisco Tárrega (1852–1909). For complete beginners, the author Frederick Noad has provided the books: Solo Guitar Playing One and Two. These two books by Noad assumes that the student has no previous experience of reading music and he has carefully arranged the lessons with this in mind.
[edit] The Parts Of The Classical Guitar
[edit] Equipment
Foot-stool An essential item for all guitarists. It allows the left leg to be raised when the student is sitting. The early classical players explored all the various playing positions and the seated position with a foot-stool was found to give the greatest access to the fretboard and allowed barres to be played with ease.
Music stands A music stand allows the guitarist to maintain his playing position while providing minimum stress on the body. Whether you are a rock guitarist who stands up to play or a classical guitarist who sits; the simple act of setting up a music stand to work with, increases the learning curve.
Metronome A metronome is the ideal tool for improving one's timing. Ideally you should buy a traditional wooden metronome with a wind-up mechanism. Though computers offer a digital version, the wooden metronome provides an organic "click" sound which is pleasing to play along with for extended periods. Be aware that the metronome highlights your timing errors. Always set the metronome to its slowest speed and then play. Only after mastering a piece of music at the metronome's slowest speed should you increase the tempo.
Nails The classical guitarist plays without a plectrum. Pianists can play the notes of a simple C major chord, so that they all sound at the same time. This can only be achieved on the guitar with the right-hand finger nails. A classical guitarist will place his right-hand finger nails on the notes of a chord and will give a slight twist; almost as though he were twisting the lid of a jar. This technique allows all the notes of the chord to sound at the same time. Therefore it is essential that your nails should be considered. Professional guitarists in all genres use nail hardener; this can be found in any chemist. The nails should be filed with a fine-grade paper.
Guitar Stand Do not lean your guitar against walls or furniture because this is the most common cause of neck breakage during accidents. A guitar stand will keep your guitar out of the case and ready to play. Buy the best stand available on the market since all the better guitar stands have soft covers on any edges that will protect your guitar if the stand is knocked over.
