How to Practice Classical Guitar

Classical guitar music is usually played on a nylon-string acoustic guitar.

Classical guitar, more than any other guitar style, is concerned with proper technique; therefore, the most important thing to work on when practicing classical guitar is using good technique. Before you can worry about good technique, however, you must have the correct instrument. While classical music can be played on an electric guitar, it should be practiced primarily on an acoustic instrument. In general, classical guitar is played on a nylon-stringed acoustic guitar, but if you do not have a nylon-string guitar, you can learn classical guitar using a steel-stringed guitar.

Instructions

Preparation

1. Learn to read sheet music. Classical guitar music, like all classical music, is written by using musical notation. To be taken seriously as a classical guitarist, you must know how to read sheet music.

2. Study chord charts. Being familiar with a variety of chords will help you when you practice classical music.

3. Learn your musical scales. First learn the major and the minor scales, but then look into the harmonic minor scale and the modes. These scales are often used in classical music.

4. Decide on a piece of music to learn and buy sheet music for it. The best way to practice classical guitar is to actually learn songs.

5. Listen to the piece of music you are learning if possible. With the advent of the Internet, it is relatively easy to find sound clips of popular classical music. Listening will help you get a feel for the song.

Practicing Classical Guitar

1. Play with your picking-hand fingers. Classical music is always played with fingers instead of a pick. Some complicated classical songs need the use of every finger except your pinky to pluck the notes.

2. Fret the notes properly. Press straight down onto the string to produce a clear note. Always keep your thumb anchored to the back of the neck of the guitar.

3. Warm up before playing anything difficult. Start by running through your scales and chords to get your fingers limbered up, always keeping in mind proper picking and fretting technique.

4. Work on the song you are learning. Play slowly at first, making sure you are hitting every note clearly and cleanly. Practice sections at a time until you are comfortable with them, then move on to the next section.

Tips & Warnings

• When learning classical guitar, it is a good idea to take lessons. At the very least, you will want to buy a lesson book and work out of that.

References

• Ultimate Guitar: Classical Guitar Style And Technique For A Begginer

Resources

• Chord Chart