Playing the classical guitar is an art form that follows a very specific set of rules. Many classical guitarists are enticed by the possibilities, challenges, and overall beauty of the music produced by the instrument,
If you have lots of patience and determination and are willing to put in a lot of practice from the very start, you may find yourself playing your favorite music in little to no time at all!
Yet before you get to the point of comfortably playing the classical guitar, there is a lot you need to learn. Here are some simple steps to help you begin your journey
1.Understand Correct Body Positioning
Once you have purchased the correct equipment including a classical guitar, a padded bag or case, a capo, and a tuner, you will be ready to begin your classical guitar journey.
There is a difference between the body position required to play a fender jaguar and a classical guitar. Simply put, classical guitar players will play their instrument while seated, unlike rhythm guitarists who typically perform on their feet.
Sit upright and forwards in your chair, placing your left foot on a footstool to ensure it is in the correct position. Ensure your right knee is in an open position and in line with the right side of the chair.
Put your classical guitar on top of your left leg so your leg rests comfortably in the curve of the guitar’s body. Then, raise the neck of your guitar so its tuning pegs remain to your left and at eye level.
2.Learn All Notes On Your Guitar Strings
If you want to learn how to play anything on a classical guitar, you will need to learn everything you can about the strings and the notes that can be played.
Classical guitarists will often pick individual notes of a chord and then play them in a sequence. This creates something more melodic instead of what you would typically expect from a rhythm guitar.
The strings are in the following order: EADGBE.
3.Teach Yourself To Read Music
Begin by teaching yourself the easiest version of every chord. This will allow you to enjoy the process of learning how to play music on your instrument while also helping you to make some progress.
While you are learning the basic chords you have the tools to improve finger dexterity, accuracy, and control as your fingers move across the fretboard. After mastering the easier version of each chord you can then turn your attention to the more complex alternative.
Learning classical guitar also means you will need to know how to read tabs and chord boxes, and must also know the strings and notes to communicate with other musicians.
4.Familiarize Yourself With Strumming
Knowing how to strum is an essential skill you need when you are learning to play the classical guitar. Classical guitarists will play with their fingers instead of using a pick.
Your thumb will always play the E, A, and the D string. These are the thickest strings on a classical guitar that are located at the top of the instrument. Your index finger will play G, your middle finger will play B, and your ring finger will play the final string that is located at the bottom of the instrument.
Make sure to press the strings with your fingers and thumb together. You can pull multiple strings at the same time or a single string at once, depending on what the music requires.
Remember to rest your right elbow on your guitar and keep your right hand and wrist relaxed at all times. Too much pressure on the strings could result in you botching traditional techniques.
5.Pace Yourself With Your Practice
Maybe this is a bit obvious, but you will not learn how to play the classical guitar overnight. This is because it is a complex skill that requires lots of dedicated practice and time to master.
Keep things short and sweet to avoid becoming overwhelmed. For example, try setting up a repeated practice period of 15 to 20 minutes a day. This is quite a manageable length of time yet will still allow you to get the practice that you need.
Summary
These are the 5 main steps you must consider when learning to play the classical guitar. It can be a complex process at times but provided you don’t give up on the process, and you abide by the rules above, you will soon begin to reap the benefits.
