Does finger-style Jazz have Classical roots ?

notchet · #1 04-03-2009, 09:40 PM

I am a newbie that has studied and played classical guitar. I believe that players like Earl Klugh that play nylon strings must have played classical at some time in their past. Playing straight acoustic there is nothing like nylon strings for bringing out emotions and delivering. Am I right? wrong?

I still do not have the playing speed up yet as with a pick but the technique sure makes up for it!

JohnW400 · #2 04-03-2009, 10:08 PM

I play both nylon and steel strings, jazz , classical, nylon jazz, what have you.

Regarding delivering and emotion, it's all in the fingers.

notchet · #3 04-05-2009, 10:32 PM

Its a process of connecting with the music you are playing. The eyes (notes), mind (memory), and the physical act of playing the notes. Saying "its all in the fingers" is pretty robotic. To get "emotions" you need to get the mind and soul involved. Its apples and oranges or I-IV-V blues to Heitor Villa-Lobos. All I was stating is that nylon strings are warmer and more apt to connect with the inner spirit, drawing the listeners in. This takes practice and is what practice should be about.

mr. beaumont · #4 04-06-2009, 11:09 AM

i think what john is saying, is that knowing how to use your fingers can help you get those sounds on whatever kind of guitar you are playing.

there definitely is something special about a good acoustic instrument, but i can make the same connections when playing electric, which is how i do about 99% of my playing...

as for the connection, we all are connected to classical guitar-- we have segovia to thank for that! he brought the guitar to the concert hall, and made it a viable instrument...

JohnW400 · #5 04-06-2009, 11:50 AM

Sorry to be so abrupt. When I said it was all in the fingers it was meant to say that it is certainly NOT in what type of guitar you play

But a lot of classical players get there noses up in the air about these kinds of things. As if to say that classical music, guitars etc, are higher up the ladder than other styles of music.

Guitar type or style has nothing to do with one type being more emotional, connected or what have you. Johnny Smith has a solo CD where he plays Albenitz on his Heritage "The Rose model". It's a steel string archtop guitar.

Roy Buchanan, playing a screaming telecaster is every bit as emotional as Chritopher Parkening whipping out Bach's Lute Preludes.