How to Read Right Hand Fingerings in Classical Guitar Music

Classical guitar music can be intimidating at first. Unlike the tablature that most rock guitarists are used to, classical guitar music uses standard music notation. This means that in order to play you need to have an in depth knowledge of how to read music. If you have picked up a classical guitar score, you may have also noticed some strange letters appearing next to certain notes. The letters are P I M and A. Many new classical guitarists are confused and get frustrated when they first try to read classical guitar sheet music. This article will help you understand how to read the right hand fingerings that you will encounter.

Things You'll Need

• guitar
• piece of classical guitar sheet music

Instructions

1. Find a piece of classical guitar music. Go to your local music store or search online for a sample of classical guitar music.

2. Look for the letter P. P means use your thumb. Whenever you encounter the symbol P, you will use your thumb to play that specific note. Remember, classical guitarists do not use a pick. All notes are played with your individual fingers. The P comes from the Spanish word pulgar. Classical guitar was born in Spain. Hence, this is why the abbreviations come from the Spanish language.

3. Look for the letter I. Whenever you encounter the letter I you will use your forefinger to play the note. The I comes from the Spanish word indice.

4. Look for the letter M. Whenever you encounter the letter M, you will use your middle finger to play the note. The M is derived from the Spanish word medio.

5. Look for the letter A. Whenever you encounter the letter A, you will use your ring finger to play the string. The A is derived from the Spanish word anular. That's it. You now know how to read all of the right hand fingerings for classical guitar!

Tips & Warnings

• You may come across times where you see the P I M A letters stacked on top of one another. When this happens you are reading a chord. Just play the notes of the chord from low to high using the letters given.

• It may be confusing at first to sight read using the P I M A letters. Don't be frustrated. After a few days of practice whenever you look at your fingers you will forever think of their letter counterparts!