Introduction to Classical Guitar

Series Summary

The classical guitar is a primary member of the guitar family. Also known to some as the Spanish guitar, classical guitars enjoy a long-held reputation for being well-built, handcrafted pieces involving countless hours of work by master luthiers. The basic body style of the classical guitar is similar to that of a normal acoustic guitar, but does have two subtle differences. The classical guitar generally has a wider fret board and utilizes nylon strings rather than steel; this tends to produces a softer, warmer tone with a clearer, richer sound palette. A notable variation between the classical guitar and its relatives is in its playing style: notes are usually plucked with the fingers instead of strummed with a pick. Like many other classical compositions, songs for classical guitar are passed on from teacher to student through the channels of formal music education.

In this free music instruction video series, learn important classical guitar techniques. Our teacher will walk you through beginner methods for holding the instrument, positioning your hands, reading sheet music, slurring notes, and playing arpeggios. Learn three basic classical guitar songs, including Greensleeves.

Video Transcript

"Hi my name is John Armstrong with expertvillage.com I'm a professional guitar instructor and today we are going to be discussing beginning classical guitar. In order to play classical guitar it is important that you have the proper instrument. The proper instrument would be the nylon string classical guitar. The reason the importance for using the nylon string is that the actual string themselves first off have the tone that we are looking for. A skill string just could not achieve the same tone. Secondly the strings are spaced apart a little further then a still string then a typical still string which means that it is easier to get your fingers on the right hand in between the strings in order to finger pick. Which is what we do we finger pick in classical guitar not using the pick or the plectrum. Third the neck is a little bit flatter and wider in the back which allows you to keep your thumb behind the next further. Your fingers out in front of the guitar and curled verses the typical skill string guitar which is more of a rounded back to the neck. So it is important that you have a class that you use a nylon string guitar if you really want to try to achieve the proper tone. It would still work on a skill string but, it is just not the same. "