How to Get Good Tone on Classical Guitar

Playing technique has a greater effect on a classical guitar's tone than in other genres because the fingers are used exclusively without electronic amplification. Consequently, classical guitar requires more attention in this area than in other playing styles. The following steps will show how to get good tone on classical guitar.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Play at the correct angle. The fingers should come off the strings at approximately a 45-degree angle. This angle should be achieved naturally by resting the ring finger on the first (highest) string, the middle finger on the second string and the index finger on the third string.

2. Strive for a bright ping as you pluck the string, followed by a clear pleasant tone. Practice listening carefully to every nuance of sound to keep your playing technique clean.

3. Recognize the sound of a playing angle that is too small. The tone will be overly bright and harsh if you are playing across the strings so that the fingers come directly off them.

4. Listen for signs that your playing angle is too great. These include an unpronounced, dark tone accompanied by a rasping sound or other string noises caused by the fingers slipping along the strings as they are pulled off.

5. Pluck the strings in the standard position just behind the rosette (sound hole) to produce a round mellow tone.

6. Watch and listen to professional classical guitarists. Live performances are especially helpful because this allows you to see the specific techniques that produce each sound.