Getting into classical guitar

JonahTheAmazing · #1 06-18-2011, 09:53 AM

I've been listening to lots of classical guitarists lately, and wanted to know what you TBers thought about the subject.

I'm looking into buying a classical guitar, so what are your favorite brands/models?

Any favorite classical guitarists? I'd love to see some of your favorites.

Technique? Always a question, 'specially for bassists.

Joe Nerve · #2 06-18-2011, 10:06 AM

I dabbled in classical guitar in my early 20s. Considered studying it at college, took a prep course at Mannes College, and dropped quickly realizing that even the prep course was out of my league.

Learned a bit on my own with some simple books, and taught myself a lot by ear. I was inspired by steve howe and learned the solo piece from the ancient. We didn't have things like this back then to help... YouTube - ‪Steve Howe - The Ancient‬&rlm; . Not having stuff like that I believe aided in training my ears. Here's another by the man himself YouTube - ‪Steve Howe solo - Mood for a Day 11-13-02‬&rlm; . I think they're good study pieces.

I know nothing about classical guitars. I had a Gianini that I lent to someone about 5 years ago and still haven't gotten back. I paid around $300 for it in 1979. I'm going to guess there's a possibility it might be worth something. I'm almost afraid to research it cuz I'm not sure I have any contact info for the person who has it. Was bartering with a girl and lent it to here to learn. Massage for guitar lessons.

Sweeeeeet!

MysticMichael · #3 06-18-2011, 10:15 AM

The classical guitar is a wonderful instrument. Excellent choice.

Andres Segovia is the undisputed master. I attended a concert by Christopher Parkening when I was at university that was very impressive.

Get a good teacher, and get that technique as solid as can be. Good technique is crucial for this instrument.

Can't guide you on selection of instrument, other than to say that if you're serious about it, get the finest guitar you can afford. It'll be worth it.

Go for it!

MM

jtapp2556 · #4 06-18-2011, 10:30 AM

i studied composers like Bach, Isaac Albeniz, and Antonio Lauro just to name a couple of my favorites. Adam Holzman and Manuel Barrueco are some good players to listen to. as far as classical guitars find a luthier to make you one. the difference between that and a mass produced classical guitar is unreal. good luck with your journey with classical guitar its amazing.
Check out this site Robert Teixeira was my guitar instructor.
Music For Two Guitars by Akerman - Teixeira Guitar Duo

jtapp2556 · #5 06-18-2011, 10:38 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNNbF...eature=related
these are some good pieces to learn i went through them in college very challenging but awesome when u learn them

fish slapper · #6 06-18-2011, 10:44 AM

Been down this road too. Unfortunately for me, my down fall was a huge case of stage fright. Since classical guitar is for the most part a solo instrument, all eyes will be on you. My hands would turn to useless claws at any recital so back to bass for me where I was in with a group and for the most part, not the center of attention.

For starters, I had good luck with a Yamaha classical in the upper end of their price list. I recall I paid around $600 for one that my teacher complimented on being a good student guitar. Most professional performers have a hand crafted instrument. My teacher paid something like $6000 for his performance instrument!

Good luck with your quest.

JonahTheAmazing · #7 06-18-2011, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fish slapper

Been down this road too. Unfortunately for me, my down fall was a huge case of stage fright. Since classical guitar is for the most part a solo instrument, all eyes will be on you. My hands would turn to useless claws at any recital so back to bass for me where I was in with a group and for the most part, not the center of attention.

For starters, I had good luck with a Yamaha classical in the upper end of their price list. I recall I paid around $600 that my teacher complimented on being a good student guitar. Most professional performers have a hand crafted instrument. My teacher paid something like $6000 for his performance instrument!

Good luck with your quest.

I definitely have a limited budget. Definitely going for a cheapo. Surprisingly, I've seen quite a few cheaper classical guitars, but when it comes to quality, I've got no clue. I played a Yamaha that belonged to a friend, and it seemed very comfortable. I don't know how the tuners would hold up or if the neck was solid enough.

Joe Nerve: I really like The Ancient, definitely one of the more interesting classical pieces I've heard. I'll be sure to find more of Howe's work.

Thanks for the reccomendations. Really good stuff here.

Flipsnake · #8 06-18-2011, 11:03 AM

I think it's a great instrument. It's the reason that my bass guitar is currently collecting dust.

Now, I agree with getting a guitar custom-made by a luthier, but if you can't afford that, look for a LaPatrie guitar. These guitars compete with others that are double their price. And when you get a guitar, watch out when it comes to temperature/humidity damage. Mine recently got cracked because I neglected this.

About technique, you're going to find a lot of spirited discussions about nails. I have a handy book called "Pumping Nylon" by Scott Tennant that has fantastic tips for this and other technique issues.
As for a specific technique hurdle, I had trouble when it came to string crossings because on guitar, you don't follow through when you have to strike the lower adjacent string (I call it "raking through", though I don't know what others call it) Learn to shake off this habit when you move on to guitar. And don't worry, your brain will differentiate between this and bass, so you won't get your technique muddled when you're playing bass.

As for guitarists...
If you haven't heard about Andres Segovia yet, get ready to hear his name over and over again. I also like to listen to Roland Dyens, John Williams (not the film composer), Julian Bream, and a whole bunch of others.

Now, here's a real helpful website when it comes to getting some free sheet music:
News - ClassicalGuitarSchool.Net
There's a lot of material appropriate for beginners here, and it's all free.

Good luck on your journey.

Down & Outman · #9 06-18-2011, 11:19 AM

Anything you learn will help your bass playing. Add new dimensions to it.
Go for it.

Alvaro Martín Gómez A. · #10 06-18-2011, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonahTheAmazing

Any favorite classical guitarists? I'd love to see some of your favorites.

This guy is one of them:

YouTube - ‪Pictures at an Exibition‬&rlm;

YouTube - ‪Kazuhito Yamashita playing A Market Place in Limoges and Catacombae ; Con mortuis in lingua mortua‬&rlm;

YouTube - ‪Kazuhito Yamashita playing The Hut of Baba-Yaga and The Bahatyr Gate of Kiev‬&rlm;

(Sadly, poor video and audio quality)