How to Become a Better Classical Guitarist
- 1). Practice playing bass and melody together. For example, fret an open E chord. Play the low E and A string with your thumb, and the B string and high E string with your middle and ring fingers, respectively. In simple 4/4 time, (one-and-two-and-three-and-four-and) pick the low E string on one and three, the A string on two and four, and alternate between the B and high E strings on the "and" counts.
- 2). Know multiple chord voicings. Much of classical guitar playing lies in the technique of the picking hand, but using variations on chord voicings can provide your playing with diversity and more interesting melodic options.
- 3). Practice with a metronome. Every guitarist in every style can benefit from practicing with a metronome or click track. These tools keep precise time and help a player develop a disciplined sense of tempo.
- 4). Practice contrary motion. This is where the bassline (low notes) either ascend or descend while the melody moves in the opposite direction. For example, try the following three-chord passage: Fret a G note on the third fret of the low E string. Play it at the same time as an open high E string. Then fret both strings on the second fret, play them at the same time. Finish the run with an open low E string and a high E string stopped at the third fret.
. - 5). Understand harmony. Key basic intervals in classical music include the fifth, the major third, the minor third and the seventh. Know each note's intervals and where to find them on the fretboard. Many chord voicings contain key intervals; for example, a six-string major barre chord is spelled: Root, fifth, root, major third, fifth, root.
- 6). Never get bored. If you find your compositions are sounding repetitive or otherwise dull, play in alternate tunings. Dropped D and dropped C tuning, for example, can give your chord voicings newfound depth and richness.
- 7). Teach a beginning player. Guitarists, especially classical guitarists, often ponder their instruments so much that they hinder their own ability to play. Explaining basic theory and technique to a beginner will help you improve your own understanding of the instrument, as well as your approach to it.