Classical Guitar Looks Popular....

wordsmith · #1 02-02-2009, 07:10 PM

......could warrant a section of it's own in the forum, to bring everything together. There are lots of threads and posts, but they are all over the place. Look at m78w's recent post about the 'organic' quality of fingers on nylon.....there seems to be something 'understood not often spoken' about jazz and the classical. Sorry for my limp explanation of what I'm trying to say....post up!......you can do it for me!

Sailor · #2 02-02-2009, 09:24 PM

Yeah, I was never sure if this was the forum to discuss the classical and jazz commonalities/differences, ( I've even gotten some criticisms along the way), but if you look back on some classical/jazz threads they are some of the longest and most "enlightening". I know that JohnW and Matt have both chimed in many times on the subject. They both are obviously classically trained as well.

I guess we keep the classical low on the radar. Back in the jazz hey-day many of the greatest big band folks had a total classic education. I can't personally separate the two.

Sailor

rio · #3 02-24-2009, 02:31 AM

I think it is a plus being trained classically on most instruments, the technique has been around longest in that tradition after all. With guitar though it is so different because of the sitting position, kind of guitar (usually), contect of group playing with drums vs. solo or chamber group, etc. I still think it is worth knowing but I think that in terms of getting general knowledge of the instrument that there are other options, moreso than with other instruments.

JohnEdward · #4 02-24-2009, 02:49 AM

It makes sense-Jazz and Classical both require technique and theory, elegance and elan and brains over braun. Now, I can rip a good super-distorted thang or two, and I'm certainly not going to knock all the other genres of guitar music I love, but really, Jazz and Classical are the thinking man and woman's branches of the guitar tree.

guitarone · #5 02-24-2009, 05:20 AM

my background is lots of popular playing through the 70's and 80's and finally spending about 18 years learning and performing classical as a soloist and in ensemble. The knowledge base and finesse one learns from classical really does give you an edge, at least in the understanding of performance practice. I don't know if it helps jazz understandings though. It certainly makes it easier to read complex arrangements.

trtjazz · #6 02-24-2009, 07:42 AM

I think even if not classically trained, the classical guitar is used be some of the greatest jazz and smooth jazz players today such as Earl Klugh, Acoustic Alchemy, Peter White etc.

wordsmith · #7 02-24-2009, 04:12 PM

My first post in this thread was perhaps a little sloppy.....I was thinking about the classical guitar as an instrument in a jazz context, rather than classical guitar as the traditional artform. I have been surprised to learn just how many jazz players focus on the classical instrument......one usually thinks of archtop electrics. I thought the thread could be useful as a means of expanding the imagination of players crossing over to jazz from other styles, or even beginners, by diminishing the stereotype image.

trtjazz · #8 02-24-2009, 04:15 PM

Of course it all depends on what sound you are looking for. The Brazilian players like Jobim etc., which I am a huge fan of, all used classicals.

DMatthewsBand07 · #9 02-25-2009, 07:26 PM

Classical training is definitely a plus in any area. I'm playing in the school jazz band and tend to be ahead of the curve on improv and jazz theory kind of stuff, but all the other members who have been in concert bands for ages are much cleaner technically than I am and are miles ahead in areas like sight reading and dynamic control. Definitely ups and downs to both sides, but the obvious benefits of learning in both classical and jazz styles are definitely worth the extra time.

pierre richard · #10 02-27-2009, 06:57 PM

I play my classical guitar when I want some musical disipline(sp)..

I have the old Carcassi Method..a few Mel Bay Classical Guitar method books...and lots of classical guitar transcriptions that I have printed out from the internet...tons available...

then I do songs in my repertoire that I play Charlie Byrd style...sharpens my technique some...

time spent playing your guitar is wonderful time..pierre

m78w · #11 02-28-2009, 08:46 PM

I have to say I'm having a bit of a love affair with my classical right now, don't tell my Tele.

I find that there is a deep connection when I play classical, or my nylon in a jazz setting. There's something about having to produce the sound with my fingers, rather than an amp, that really speaks to me.

I don't think I'll give up on my tele, but by practicing classical, and giggin on my nylon, I've become much more focused on dynamics, tone, attack etc. All good stuff that can be applied to any style of music.

MW

guitarone · #12 03-01-2009, 05:58 PM

That's funny Matt, because I am having a love affair with my new Tele and my classical just sits in the corner weeping for attention.
Guitarone

gremboul · #13 11-01-2009, 03:21 PM

Good to see that I'm not the only one doing a back and forth between a tele and nylon... I personally find that my classical guitar has a way of grounding me and making me more disciplined and precise.

tele jazz · #14 11-01-2009, 07:26 PM

i need to get myself another classical. great sounds.

Luan · #15 11-01-2009, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m78w

I have to say I'm having a bit of a love affair with my classical right now, don't tell my Tele.

I find that there is a deep connection when I play classical, or my nylon in a jazz setting. There's something about having to produce the sound with my fingers, rather than an amp, that really speaks to me.

I don't think I'll give up on my tele, but by practicing classical, and giggin on my nylon, I've become much more focused on dynamics, tone, attack etc. All good stuff that can be applied to any style of music.

MW

+300 to every word.
I've been playing a lot my new classical, you can get really great chord improvisations there, turn off a little the lights, it helps a lot haha

dirkji · #16 11-02-2009, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wordsmith

......could warrant a section of it's own in the forum, to bring everything together.

Here you go, good idea...

NSJ · #17 11-02-2009, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m78w

I have to say I'm having a bit of a love affair with my classical right now, don't tell my Tele.

I find that there is a deep connection when I play classical, or my nylon in a jazz setting. There's something about having to produce the sound with my fingers, rather than an amp, that really speaks to me.

I don't think I'll give up on my tele, but by practicing classical, and giggin on my nylon, I've become much more focused on dynamics, tone, attack etc. All good stuff that can be applied to any style of music.

MW

Are you gigging solo? If not, how does it hold up, sound wise? I take it that Will it cut you're playing without amplification. Will it cut it when playing with a drummer???

m78w · #18 11-02-2009, 02:28 PM

I use it with combos, I run it through an LR Baggs preamp and then through an acoustic image head run through twin 12 Raezors Edge cabinets. It does a great job. If the gig is big enough i'll run it through a PA with a mic on either the sound hole or amps.

MW