Question from Anonymous:
How difficult is it to learn Classical guitar?
I hear about jazz, rock, and blues on the guitar -- but I never hear about classical guitar. I'm a fan of classical music, and I think it would be great to learn classical guitar.
Anonymous
_____________________________________________________________________
Answered by Edward Hale
Playing any style of guitar has it levels of difficulty. It is not easy to compare playing rock or jazz styles with the classical guitar, but let me say something first about studying classical guitar that I believe to be true.
If a rock or jazz guitarist were to study classical guitar, they would benefit by the study. technically and musically.
And the reverse is also true; if a classical guitarist mastered the style and proficiency of a rock or jazz guitarist, there would be a benefit for the classical guitarist in musicianship and performance. I know many examples of this where rock or jazz study has helped many guitarists understand how to "liven up" the performance of classical guitar music. A study of Flamenco guitar also enhances many aspects of a guitarists musicality with the infusion of a very unique ancient artistic style, and the technical demands which arise from impulses of the spirit. Flamenco study results in discovering many moments of pure improvisation.
Originally classical music had a greater degree of improvisational elements and spontaneity of expression. Bach improvised and was very creative in his musical inventions. Mozart made up pieces on the spot and was both extrovert and introvert. Beethoven was run out of his apartments for noise violations all over town. (He was pounding out his new music on the keyboard well before he went deaf.) I think you get the picture. If music study and performance are too academic the results can be stifling.
I have played and taught almost all the styles of guitar and have found that classical guitar lays a very good foundation. The music as well as the sound of the instrument is also very satisfying. The essence of playing classical guitar is partly in having a good foundation in technique, which to a large degree is forming good habits where there is minimal tension in your hands and body. This foundation will make the guitar easier to play when you grasp and implement the principles involving a precise and economical movement of fingers. (Bear in mind precise does not mean rigid, which can hurt your technique and musicality.)
It becomes easier to play the guitar in any style if you build this benfeficial foundation. In some ways the Classical guitar itself is much easier to play than an acoustic steel string because of the softer strings employed on the classical. The spacing of strings, which are further apart, makes it easier for anyone with wider fingertips to play without accidentally hitting another string.
There's alot of beginning music in the classical genre that is fairly easy to master and enjoy in the beginning stages. And there are many progressive methods and music which can take you logically through to more advanced levels. I would say with encouragement that "classical" is not really harder to play except at more advanced levels where there are several complex parts or voices to play at the same time.
The right hand technique has a critical role to play in the music and should seem effortless when mastered. That takes some time to achieve. Whatever style you want to study classical technique really helps! I would encourage anyone with a love for classical music or anyone who wants to improve guitar skills to study classical guitar.
I play and teach other styles of guitar and you can play many of these styles on a classical or flamenco guitar. You can even "electrify" your instrument by adding a pickup or buying one with a pickup already installed. Have fun!
Edward Hale
http://edwardhaleguitar.blogspot.com/
How difficult is it to learn Classical guitar?
I hear about jazz, rock, and blues on the guitar -- but I never hear about classical guitar. I'm a fan of classical music, and I think it would be great to learn classical guitar.
Anonymous
_____________________________________________________________________
Answered by Edward Hale
Playing any style of guitar has it levels of difficulty. It is not easy to compare playing rock or jazz styles with the classical guitar, but let me say something first about studying classical guitar that I believe to be true.
If a rock or jazz guitarist were to study classical guitar, they would benefit by the study. technically and musically.
And the reverse is also true; if a classical guitarist mastered the style and proficiency of a rock or jazz guitarist, there would be a benefit for the classical guitarist in musicianship and performance. I know many examples of this where rock or jazz study has helped many guitarists understand how to "liven up" the performance of classical guitar music. A study of Flamenco guitar also enhances many aspects of a guitarists musicality with the infusion of a very unique ancient artistic style, and the technical demands which arise from impulses of the spirit. Flamenco study results in discovering many moments of pure improvisation.
Originally classical music had a greater degree of improvisational elements and spontaneity of expression. Bach improvised and was very creative in his musical inventions. Mozart made up pieces on the spot and was both extrovert and introvert. Beethoven was run out of his apartments for noise violations all over town. (He was pounding out his new music on the keyboard well before he went deaf.) I think you get the picture. If music study and performance are too academic the results can be stifling.
I have played and taught almost all the styles of guitar and have found that classical guitar lays a very good foundation. The music as well as the sound of the instrument is also very satisfying. The essence of playing classical guitar is partly in having a good foundation in technique, which to a large degree is forming good habits where there is minimal tension in your hands and body. This foundation will make the guitar easier to play when you grasp and implement the principles involving a precise and economical movement of fingers. (Bear in mind precise does not mean rigid, which can hurt your technique and musicality.)
It becomes easier to play the guitar in any style if you build this benfeficial foundation. In some ways the Classical guitar itself is much easier to play than an acoustic steel string because of the softer strings employed on the classical. The spacing of strings, which are further apart, makes it easier for anyone with wider fingertips to play without accidentally hitting another string.
There's alot of beginning music in the classical genre that is fairly easy to master and enjoy in the beginning stages. And there are many progressive methods and music which can take you logically through to more advanced levels. I would say with encouragement that "classical" is not really harder to play except at more advanced levels where there are several complex parts or voices to play at the same time.
The right hand technique has a critical role to play in the music and should seem effortless when mastered. That takes some time to achieve. Whatever style you want to study classical technique really helps! I would encourage anyone with a love for classical music or anyone who wants to improve guitar skills to study classical guitar.
I play and teach other styles of guitar and you can play many of these styles on a classical or flamenco guitar. You can even "electrify" your instrument by adding a pickup or buying one with a pickup already installed. Have fun!
Edward Hale
http://edwardhaleguitar.blogspot.com/
Its really a good blog on online classical guitar lessons. I appreciate your article. This blog is really helpful to give you the information of online classical guitar lessons. So thanks for sharing all that important information.
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