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May 19th, 2004 admin Leave a comment Go to comments

Music Lute
Learning classical compositions on steel string guitar?

I’ve recently switched from playing classical music (Tarrega, Sor, lute transpositions) on a classical nylon-string guitar (I am at about a grade 4 level on that) to playing the same kind of music on a steel-string dreadnought-style guitar. First thing I notice is that fingerpicking on steel strings is much harder on my left hand. Will this pay off later on with increased dexterity etc or am I creating unnecessary difficulties for myself (i.e. should I stick to classical guitar when playing classical music?)

It is hard-going so far. Does anyone else here play classical music on asteel string acoustic guitar? IHow are you finding it? ts a non-conventional way and I need some advice.

There are two different issues here…
One is the string tension
The other is the tone

Second one first – it’s easier… I play both sorts of guitar and if I play classical music on steel strings, I simply find it acoustically fatiguing – after a few minutes of “tink tink tink” my ears have had enough and yearn for the silkiness of nylon strings. (Have you taken time, by the way, to hear just how mellow some classical guitarists can make the guitar sound – almost liquid).
And of course chords, strummed on a classical are far too woolly.
So in summary, I think classical music on steel strings only works if it’s accompanying voice or another instrument.

Harder one now… will the extra string tension increase dexterity.
No. Force and agility in muscles are inversely related. The more force you apply, the more sluggish your hand becomes, as the hand can’t “undo” pressure quickly, nor lift a tense finger fast. Sure you’ll hear people who are really quick on steel strings, but
a) They probably have an expensive, responsive guitar with light strings
b) They will be even quicker on nylon strings

My real issue is why you don’t find the thin sound to be tiring…

You can play what you like on what you like, but though I’m happy to play nylon or steel strings, I am very clear that each has its own merits, its own forte…

Stick with *both* and learn to be selective – that way you get the best of both worlds, instead of all of one…

PS – try Villa Lobos and other modern composers – they’ll show you a side of classical guitar you’ll enjoy, I know you will!

Nigel North records Lute Music of John Dowland for NAXOS