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A classical guitar looks very similar to a popular steel-stringed acoustic guitar, but it varies in several ways. A classical guitar's strings are nylon wrapped in nickel or bronze, rather than the steel of other instruments, and are wrapped around the bridge. Like other guitars, the classical is tuned by six tuning pegs at the headstock.
The classical guitar has a folk-styled acoustic body, slightly smaller than a dreadnought, generally made of rosewood with a thin cedar top. Its neck is wide with a flat ebony fingerboard and a bone nut. -
A classical guitar's strings are nylon wrapped in nickel or bronze, rather than the steel of other instruments. Each string runs over the bridge, through a slot in the bridge baseplate and is secured by wrapping the string around itself. Practice stringing your instrument this way to ensure proper tone and tuning stability.
Classical guitars use standard tuning: E-A-D-G-B-E (low to high open strings). Like other guitars, the classical is tuned by six tuning pegs at the headstock. Use an electronic tuner or tuning forks to tune each string individually. The guitar's neck might warp slightly and change string tensions, so check each string twice to balance the neck. -
Guitarist using two-finger technique on the high E string. Photo by Mary R. Vogt.Classical techniques do not require a plectrum. Use the flesh and nails of the thumb, first, second and third fingers of your right hand to pluck the strings, instead. (Use your left hand if you are left-handed.) Each finger is used for a different section or string. Use your thumb for bass lines and your fingers for melodies and harmonies on the G, B and E strings.
Many songs use arpeggios, or notes of chords played individually. These techniques involve notes played simultaneously, but they do not often require many notes to be played quickly on a single string. If a single-string run of notes is played faster than you can pluck with one finger, use two fingers to pluck the string, playing one note with each finger and alternating notes. - Legato is a technique used to play several sequential notes without plucking. It is used to achieve a mellow tone and to allow you to play several notes per string without having to use a two-finger technique. Legato includes hammer-ons, pull-offs and slides. To hammer on a note, pluck a fretted or open string, then quickly fret a note higher on the same string without plucking. The force of contact between the string and fret will cause the string to continue vibrating. To pull off notes, pluck a fretted string, then quickly pull your finger off of the fret and allow the next note to ring. Pull-offs may be used between two fretted notes, or on open strings. To slide, simply keep pressure on a string as you slide your finger to a higher or lower fret.
- Vibrato is an essential technique in classical music, but it is difficult to master. Vibrato causes notes to become slightly detuned, causing a wavering tone. To use this method, first pluck a fretted note. Slowly but firmly rock your finger on the string behind the fret. The note should have a smooth, pleasing sound as the note wavers.
