Guitar People? Need Advice

[Manlodan]

Hello everyone,

I love my watches, but I also love financial security, so I’ve decided to put the search for watches aside and really appreciate what I’ve got. As they say, though, idle hands are the devil’s playthings, and I’ve been trying to get back into playing guitar. I played at an amateur level throughout middle and high school, but I haven’t touched a guitar since sophomore year of college about 6 years ago. I played electric in my school’s band, and I mostly played acoustic for fun. I owned a 1976 Epiphone ft-120 Acoustic, but my dad gave me free rein over his 1960s Martin Shenandoah, and I’ve really missed it since moving across the world for work.

Lately, I’ve been watching a lot of acoustic/classical guitar content on YouTube, which got me actively searching for something cheap and decent to practice on. A couple days ago, I paid $85 for a really nice 1970s Morris MD-520, which is a high-quality Japanese replica of a Martin dreadnought- solid spruce top, rosewood fretboard, and Gotoh tuners. Decent action, no buzz, and lots of beautiful MOP and ivory detailing. The sound is excellent, with much of the same tone I remember my Dad’s Shenandoah having, if slightly less resonant. I’ll post pics when I get back home.

A couple of my favorite songs came back to me quickly, but I sure do miss those callouses xP I have re-registered on UltimateGuitarTabs.com and am refreshing myself on the stuff I remember, but I would really like to expand into classical guitar. I understand it’s a little more difficult without the wider neck, but I have read that it is possible to start learning with a full-size standard acoustic.

I was wondering if any guitar guys here can give me some direction as I get back into the swing of things; where to re-acquaint myself with the basics, and how to get into classical guitar. Thanks in advance!


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[Yoda_Eating_Pizza]

I noticed you're in Japan. You should spend a day in Ochanomizu. I can't name any shops specifically because everything is a blur. But Ochanomizu is guitar orgy. The majority seems to be electric, but most do have nylon string selections, and of course there are shops that focus on acoustics. They have everything from student budget friendly to maestro level stuff.

IMHO the nut width on some steel string acoustics might limit your progress. You could probably learn fundamentals, but the cramped fingering can make things more difficult than they need to be.

Youtube is great. It can show you what notes to play and get you playing music quickly. But a big drawback is that there is no feedback. If you are inclined, i would also suggest a classical guitar teacher. Even if it's just for the basics or just a few months. Or even a noncredit college course (do they have those in Japan?). The instant feedback from a teacher is invaluable because they can show you how to do something in real time, or identify problems before they become bad habits. The big drawback (well depends on your perspective) of classical guitar teachers is that not many will teach with tab in lieu of sheet music. At least it wasn't that way when I leaned (with my fellow cavemen).

[austinp]

Guitargate.com is a great teaching site and guitar player community. Great source for enthusiasts.


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[White Collar Boy]

Depending on how much feedback you want, I’d recommend getting some private lessons. ‘Pumping Nylon’ is a great book with accompanying DVD. This William Kanengiser tuition video is free and excellent:

Have fun playing!

[dba]

I love the sound of a classical / Nylon stringed guitar. I just hate the wide neck. So I found myself with a Ibanez GA35TCE. It was a gift to me from my wife one year on my birthdays. The body joins the neck at the 14th fret like my other 10 guitars do, so there is almost no difference in playability.

They're not that expensive and they're very easy to play, especially when you're just getting back into it. Nylon strings = easier on the fingers. Best of luck.

[brandrea]

I only play camp fire stuff, 3 or 4 chords is all I’ve got. It amazing how many DCG songs I know

[Lesnerelli23]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I only play camp fire stuff, 3 or 4 chords is all I’ve got. It amazing how many DCG songs I know

So. Many. Songs. !!! lol


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[Lesnerelli23]

Originally Posted by Manlodan

Hello everyone,

I love my watches, but I also love financial security, so I’ve decided to put the search for watches aside and really appreciate what I’ve got. As they say, though, idle hands are the devil’s playthings, and I’ve been trying to get back into playing guitar. I played at an amateur level throughout middle and high school, but I haven’t touched a guitar since sophomore year of college about 6 years ago. I played electric in my school’s band, and I mostly played acoustic for fun. I owned a 1976 Epiphone ft-120 Acoustic, but my dad gave me free rein over his 1960s Martin Shenandoah, and I’ve really missed it since moving across the world for work.

Lately, I’ve been watching a lot of acoustic/classical guitar content on YouTube, which got me actively searching for something cheap and decent to practice on. A couple days ago, I paid $85 for a really nice 1970s Morris MD-520, which is a high-quality Japanese replica of a Martin dreadnought- solid spruce top, rosewood fretboard, and Gotoh tuners. Decent action, no buzz, and lots of beautiful MOP and ivory detailing. The sound is excellent, with much of the same tone I remember my Dad’s Shenandoah having, if slightly less resonant. I’ll post pics when I get back home.

A couple of my favorite songs came back to me quickly, but I sure do miss those callouses xP I have re-registered on UltimateGuitarTabs.com and am refreshing myself on the stuff I remember, but I would really like to expand into classical guitar. I understand it’s a little more difficult without the wider neck, but I have read that it is possible to start learning with a full-size standard acoustic.

I was wondering if any guitar guys here can give me some direction as I get back into the swing of things; where to re-acquaint myself with the basics, and how to get into classical guitar. Thanks in advance!


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One thing off the top of my head (and you may do this now) is that it is almost imperative to keep your thumb properly placed at the back of the neck.

Most of us rock, blues, folk, etc., guys are used to a thumb at or over the top style grip. This limits your reach which will be needed for a classical style.

I don’t know your level of knowledge so I apologize in advance if my next tip you already know. I think that practicing arpeggios (using fingers and not a pick) is also an important exercise.

The closest I ever got to classical was the intro to Love Song by Tesla lol. But I did study (but maybe not practice) many techniques from any genre I could!!!


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[White Collar Boy]

I meant to say the other day that, if it’s not just classical but more broadly finger-picking you’re keen to learn, I found that syncopated country blues style both easier to learn than a lot of classical pieces, and also more fun. I got a bunch of Stefan Grossman books that taught songs by guys like Mississippi John Hurt and Reverend Gary Davis; I’m not super advanced but loved learning a lot of those tunes, which were always surprisingly easy to learn and enjoyable to spend hours getting more fluent at. For me, I think I just prefer that kind of music, really.

A friend paid for a series of Grossman’s tuition DVDs and those looked great too. I remember he learned a lot of different pieces from me that way, covering English folk as well.

I still think there’s a huge benefit in getting some lessons, even if you’re already pretty decent, just to make sure your form is all good. It makes it easier moving forward.

https://www.guitarvideos.com/

[codecow]

If you want check out the Yahama crossover nylon strings. The spacing is more similar to a steel string, so it’s easier to play if you have done a lot of electric or steel string playing.

The cheaper one $499 is a fine guitar, I use it for nylon string stuff, and you can play all the classical stuff on it fine.

[austinp]

Originally Posted by Lesnerelli23

One thing off the top of my head (and you may do this now) is that it is almost imperative to keep your thumb properly placed at the back of the neck.

Most of us rock, blues, folk, etc., guys are used to a thumb at or over the top style grip. This limits your reach which will be needed for a classical style.

I don’t know your level of knowledge so I apologize in advance if my next tip you already know. I think that practicing arpeggios (using fingers and not a pick) is also an important exercise.

The closest I ever got to classical was the intro to Love Song by Tesla lol. But I did study (but maybe not practice) many techniques from any genre I could!!!


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Great song!


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[codecow]

If you want to see someone good playing a Yahama crossover with “contemporary” arrangements search “toca Angra” on YouYube, Rafael Bittencourt plays classical arrangements of a bunch of their songs on the more expensive version.

[Manlodan]

Originally Posted by Yoda_Eating_Pizza

I noticed you're in Japan. You should spend a day in Ochanomizu. I can't name any shops specifically because everything is a blur. But Ochanomizu is guitar orgy. The majority seems to be electric, but most do have nylon string selections, and of course there are shops that focus on acoustics. They have everything from student budget friendly to maestro level stuff.

IMHO the nut width on some steel string acoustics might limit your progress. You could probably learn fundamentals, but the cramped fingering can make things more difficult than they need to be.

Youtube is great. It can show you what notes to play and get you playing music quickly. But a big drawback is that there is no feedback. If you are inclined, i would also suggest a classical guitar teacher. Even if it's just for the basics or just a few months. Or even a noncredit college course (do they have those in Japan?). The instant feedback from a teacher is invaluable because they can show you how to do something in real time, or identify problems before they become bad habits. The big drawback (well depends on your perspective) of classical guitar teachers is that not many will teach with tab in lieu of sheet music. At least it wasn't that way when I leaned (with my fellow cavemen).

Thanks for the advice! I’ve passed by Ochanomizu a couple times, but I’ve never stopped there. Will do next time maybe one of these days I’ll muster up the courage to get a proper teacher too.


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[Manlodan]

Originally Posted by austinp

Guitargate.com is a great teaching site and guitar player community. Great source for enthusiasts.


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Didn’t know that one, thanks!


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[Manlodan]

Originally Posted by White Collar Boy

Depending on how much feedback you want, I’d recommend getting some private lessons. ‘Pumping Nylon’ is a great book with accompanying DVD. This William Kanengiser tuition video is free and excellent:

Have fun playing!

Thanks so much for the info!


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[Manlodan]

Originally Posted by dba

I love the sound of a classical / Nylon stringed guitar. I just hate the wide neck. So I found myself with a Ibanez GA35TCE. It was a gift to me from my wife one year on my birthdays. The body joins the neck at the 14th fret like my other 10 guitars do, so there is almost no difference in playability.

They're not that expensive and they're very easy to play, especially when you're just getting back into it. Nylon strings = easier on the fingers. Best of luck.

Sounds smart. I sure do miss my callouses xD I’m thinking about getting a set of silk and steels, as they say they’re easier to play and have more of that classical mellowness. Will report back on that.


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