String Classical
![]() |
![]() Lindy Fralin 4 string Jazz Pickups Awesome classic tone THE BEST US $165.00
|
Right Hand Technique Used to Play Classical Guitar
You may have noticed that in order to play Classical Guitar players keep their right hand finger nails long but on their left they are usually clipped very short. The reason that the right hand nails are kept long is because they are used to pluck the strings and to play correctly a combination of the finger tip and nail is used to strike the string.
There has been much debate over how short or long the right hand nails should be in order to correctly play Classical Guitar, some players like the hard sound of just the nail striking the string and others prefer the softer sound of the meat of the finger. There is no "Correct" way it is a matter of personal preference and the ambiance that the piece is supposed to project. Part of the joy of playing Classical Guitar is the practicing of various pieces and experimenting with the different sounds as your mood changes.
If you want to see what I mean about the styles then you can watch the You Tube videos of John Williams and Andres Segovia playing Asturias they play in very different ways and yet both versions are beautiful! Both these players are and were the best in the world in their respective eras. Andres preferred shorter nails and used the top part of his fingers more and John uses more of the nail, which gives the more staccato sound to his music.
The right hand fingers used in picking are the thumb (p) the index (i) the middle (m) and the ring (a) each finger operates separately from the others and either side of the nail can be used to strike the strings. However it is usual for the fingers to strike the strings coming upwards and the thumb going downwards. The little finger is used to support the hand and usually rests on the face of the guitar just beneath the strings. Flamenco players however use all their fingers to strike the strings and mostly use a down stroke from the fingers. The "pima" sequence of the fingers is often used as an annotation to Classical Guitar music and this is one way that you can tell music that is specifically for the Classical Guitar.
Another aspect is the shape of the finger nails Scott Tennant the author of Pumping Nylon and one of today's better players likes to shape the nails squarer than usual and advises that they should be angled so that the straight part strikes the string evenly, this enables a smoother release of the string. Segovia is said to have kept his nails shorter and not much longer than twice the width of the strings. Whichever shape and length you choose it will be necessary to use a high quality fine nail file preferably a stainless steel one, as these last longer, some extremely fine grained jeweler's sandpaper and a high quality leather nail buffer. These are used in sequence to shape the nail and then smooth the tip, so that there are no parts that may snag the string. The buffer is used to polish all parts of the nail so that the string release is extremely smooth and predictable.
John Williams playing Asturias Andres Segovia playing Asturias
I hope that this article was informative and that you enjoyed reading it.
About the Author
The Author Stephen Parkin is a member of the Wealthy Affiliate University and the co owner, with his wife Shauna La Pierre, of Pine Grove Stable in Nova Scotia Canada. As well as the stable which is run along Classical Dressage Training lines he is interested in Internet Marketing, Photography, Classical Guitar and his two dogs (a border collie and a labrador retriever).
Stephen's Classical guitar site is Play Classical Guitar.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the Wealthy Affiliate University is welcome to go to http://www.thedressagehusband.com/wealthyaffiliateblog to register for a free course and see a review.
The Stable website is at http://www.pinegrovestable.com and as well as information about the stable it contains web stores selling books and dvd's as well as many photographs taken on and around the farm.
The Stable website contains a form for readers to provide comments and Stephen and Shauna welcome any constructive comments from our readers so please feel free to post any feedback there. Thank you.
|
|
String Trio in Classical Greece, The Player $49.99 String Trio in Classical Greece, The Player - Giclee Print |
|
|
Classical $49.58 Disc 1:String Quartet No. 1 in F major, Op. 18/1 (Woodwind Quartet Version): Allegro con brioString Quartet No. 1 in F major, Op. 18/1 (Woodwind Quartet Version): Adagio affettuoso ed appassionString Quartet No. 1 in F major, Op. 18/1 (Woodwind Quartet Version): Scherzo. Allegro moltoString Quartet No. 1 in F major, Op. 18/1 (Woodwind Quartet Version): AllegroAdagio und Allegro f r die Spieluhr, WoO.33: Adagio assaiAdagio und Allegro f r die Spieluhr, WoO.33: AllegroFantasie in F minor, K. 608Andante in F major, K. 616Adagio und Allegro in F minor, K. 594 |
|
|
eMedia Teach Yourself Classical Guitar Pack - Nylon String $99.95 eMedia Teach Yourself Classical Guitar Pack - Nylon String |
|
|
eMedia Teach Yourself Classical Guitar Pack - Nylon String 886830216411 $63.97 eMedia Teach Yourself Classical Guitar Pack - Nylon String 886830216411 |
|
|
eMedia Teach Yourself Classical Guitar Pack - Nylon String 886830226434 $79.96 eMedia Teach Yourself Classical Guitar Pack - Nylon String 886830226434 |
|
|
Emedia Teach Yourself Classical Guitar Pack - Nylon String $99.95 eMedia Teach Yourself Classical Guitar Pack - Nylon String |
|
|
Classical Pieces for String Quartet $26.95 (Set of Parts). By Various. Arranged by John Kember. Schott. Set of Parts. 88 pages. Schott Music #ED12485. Published by Schott Music |
|
|
Classical Surroundings: String Quartet $8.99 Includes work(s) by Luigi Boccherini, Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Alexander Glazunov, Felix Mendelssohn, Franz Joseph Haydn. |
|
|
American Portraits / Flavio Cucchi, Classical Guitar With The Modi String Ensemb $15.99 Eroica Classical Recordings:3208 |
|
|
String Quintet $35.2 "By Alexander Glazunov (1865-1936). String Quintets. For string quintet (2 violins, viola, and 2 cellos). Classical Period. Difficulty: difficult. Set of performance parts. Bowings and fingerings. Composed 1891-92. Opus 39. Published by Belaieff Verlag" |
|
|
Yamaha CG102 Classical Nylon String Guitar in a Natural Finish $199.99 Drawing upon the vast knowledge and techniques of Yamahas master craftsmen, the CG series nylon string guitars where developed to deliver top level sound quality, performance and playability. The CG102 Classical Nylon String Guitar features a spruce top, nato back and sides and upgraded open tuners. |
|
|
String Quartets $16.49 New Classical Advt.:60178 |
|
|
Classical Surroundings: String Quartet 2 $8.99 Includes work(s) by Franz Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Alexander Glazunov, Anatole Liadov, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. |
|
|
The String $13.99 The String |
|
|
D'Addario J46 D-4 Pro-Arte SP Hard Single Classical Guitar String $1.79 D'Addario J46 D-4 Pro-Arte SP Hard Single Classical Guitar String |
|
|
D'Addario J45 D-4 Pro-Arte Composites Normal Single Classical Guitar String $1.49 D'Addario J45 D-4 Pro-Arte Composites Normal Single Classical Guitar String |
|
|
D'Addario J46 E-6 Pro-Arte SP Hard Single Classical Guitar String $2.29 D'Addario J46 E-6 Pro-Arte SP Hard Single Classical Guitar String |
|
|
D'Addario J45 D-4 Pro-Arte Composites Normal LP Single Classical Guitar String $5.99 D'Addario J45 D-4 Pro-Arte Composites Normal LP Single Classical Guitar String |
|
|
D'addario J46 E-6 Pro-Arte Sp Hard Single Classical Guitar String $2.29 D'Addario J46 E-6 Pro-Arte SP Hard Single Classical Guitar String |
|
|
D'addario J46 D-4 Pro-Arte Sp Hard Single Classical Guitar String $3.1 D'Addario J46 D-4 Pro-Arte SP Hard Single Classical Guitar String |
|
|
D'addario J46 B-2 Pro-Arte Clear Hard Single Classical Guitar String $1.5 D'Addario J46 B-2 Pro-Arte Clear Hard Single Classical Guitar String |
|
|
D'addario J45 D-4 Pro-Arte Composites Normal Single Classical Guitar String $1.69 D'Addario J45 D-4 Pro-Arte Composites Normal Single Classical Guitar String |
|
|
D'addario J46 G-3 Pro-Arte Clear Hard Single Classical Guitar String $1.6 D'Addario J46 G-3 Pro-Arte Clear Hard Single Classical Guitar String |
|
|
D'addario J46 A-5 Pro-Arte Sp Hard Single Classical Guitar String $4 D'Addario J46 A-5 Pro-Arte SP Hard Single Classical Guitar String |
|
|
D'addario J46 E-1 Pro-Arte Clear Hard Single Classical Guitar String $1.4 D'Addario J46 E-1 Pro-Arte Clear Hard Single Classical Guitar String |
|
|
D'addario J45 D-4 Pro-Arte Composites Normal Lp Single Classical Guitar String $5.99 D'Addario J45 D-4 Pro-Arte Composites Normal LP Single Classical Guitar String |
|
|
BRIDGE:STRING QUARTET QUINTET BY BRIDGE STRING QUARTE (CD) $24.93 Artist: BRIDGE STRING QUARTE Genre: Classical Music Release Date: 4JAN2005 |
|
|
HAYDN/MACMILLAN/SCHUBERT:STRING QUART BY ALLEGRI STRING QUART (CD) $23.96 Artist: ALLEGRI STRING QUART Genre: Classical Music Release Date: 8MAR2011 |
|
|
BRIDGE:PIANO QUINTET STRING QUARTET N BY GOLDNER STRING QUART (CD) $27.14 Artist: GOLDNER STRING QUART Genre: Classical Music Release Date: 12MAY2009 |
|
|
eMedia EG07107 Classical Acoustic Nylon String Guitar & Software Bundl $99.95 "eMedia Classical Acoustic Nylon String Guitar & Software Bundle Brand New, Product # EG07107 The eMedia Classical Guitar Pack provides everything you need to learn to play guitar with over 180 audio and video enhanced lessons. It includes a sequoia acoustic nylon string guitar, a gig bag, a guitar strap, an extra set of strings, a guitar pick, eMedia Essential Acoustic Guitar DVD and the eMedia Guitar Method CD-ROM. Classical Guitar Pack Features: Classical Nylon String Guitar Pack, Over 180 Lessons, Easy-to-Use Interface, Instant Feedback on Your Playing, Note and Finger Tracker, Interactive Flash Card Quizzes, Animated Fretboard, Music Notation Display Options, Variable-Speed MIDI, Music Tracking, Automatic Tuner, Chord Dictionary, Digital Metronome, Digital Recorder, Includes: Full-Size Sequoia Acoustic Nylon String Guitar, eMedia Guitar Method CD-ROM, eMedia Essential Acoustic Guitar DVD, Nylon Gig Bag w/straps & Pocket, Extra Set of Strings, Guitar Pick" |
|
|
BadAax MG1 Classical Nylon String Full Size Guitar with Mahogany Back $59.99 This Spanish inspired nylon string classical guitar, the BadAax MG1, is an advanced student instrument with more modern features and refinements to accommodate todays versatile musical styles than any other guitar in this price range. Features mahogany back and sides, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard and bridge, upgraded 14:1 open tuners. |
|
|
TCHAIKOVSKY BY ENDELLION STRING QUA (CD) $23.08 Artist: ENDELLION STRING QUA Genre: Classical Music Release Date: 12JUN2007 |
|
|
Classical Gershwin $32.95 "(Full Score & Parts). By George Gershwin (1898-1937). Edited by Thom Proctor. Arranged by Tony Esposito and Jeff Sultanof. For string quartet (2 violins, viola, cello). Masterworks; Quartet; String Quartet. Classic String Quartets. 20th Century; Jazz; Masterwork Arrangement. Full score and set of performance parts. Full score notation and standard notation. 68 pages. Published by Alfred Music Publishing" |
|
|
String Quartet No.2 $16.4 "By Alexander Borodin (1833-1887). String Quartets. For string quartet (2 violins, viola, cello). Classical Period. Intermediate. Study score. Published by Belaieff Verlag" |



US $48.00























































































