Thank you to my teacher in college 30 years ago., Dr. Ming Fang for correcting all of these issues that I came with to his studio. I have carried all I have learned throughout my life with my guitar. Where ever you are now Dr., thank you.
I just started and this video is a game changer. Not everyone can afford private lessons. And the attention to detail is going to save me from so many mistakes!!!! I also have a very serious spine injury and ordered the guitar support. Best vid ever'
I am just starting the classical guitar (been playing acoustic steel-string for over 40 years), and this was of great value to create correct habits from the beginning. I am going to watch every one of Allen's videos. Thanks!
Hahah well... I still can't even put the guitar on the right position, i got used too much to the right legged position and sometimes my left hand suffers the pain of the horizontal neck but i don't know how to avoid my guitar from falling into space in the correct position. Might get the gadget he is using to see if that helps.
"Where is he bracing now? I don't know". All said with a straight face. Brilliant 😂 Another outstanding video. So many pearls so clearly and succinctly communicated, thank you.
I taught classic guitar at college level while in my early 20s. My teacher had noticed that I had a good sense of instruction. Your are able to tie in, real world scenarios to make your point. This promotes understanding and greater retention. Your presentation is also well produced.
I'm definitely a cycler, and a finger splayer. I remember looking at videos of how you're supposed to pluck the strings, but when I tried I would also hit the adjacent strings. So the bicycling was my solution. I guess I'll have another try at it. I would love a video on how to pluck properly while avoiding hitting other strings. The guitar strings are such a small space to work within, especially if you have fatter fingers!
Bouncing, splayed finger, bicycler here. 🤣 thankfully, I am very new. 1 year of practice with no formal training. Just a book and some you tube. This is going to help me improve a lot. Thanks for the well delivered and very informative video. It was a pleasure to watch.
I'm self taught and after years of playing I have developed the bounce. I think it's mainly lack of practice on the classical guitar as I play other styles too. I'm hoping it will decrease as I practice more, it's very annoying and stopping me from playing pieces that I used to play easily. At least I'm aware of it now and that it's not just me. Thanks for highlighting it in this video.
Thank you very much for this - I am also self taught, and with the help of this video I have recognized I have 2 out of five bad habits: bicycling and splayed fingers. Which are in a way related to each other. I think the single most valuable tip you gave in this video is to teach ourselves to keep fingers together, touching each other. In a way, it is counter-intuitive. But when you go several steps back, you immediately see the point - progress in technique happens almost instantaneously. My guess is that in this way you achieve 2 positive outcomes: you limit the amount of movement of each finger so it is the best way how to achieve movement economizing, but also - this helps you with precision, because by touching other fingers you actually give each finger good reference point in the space. Do you think this is true? At the beginning, it is kind of uncomfortable to hold fingers close to each other as you explained - because it brings tension to whole hand. I understand that it is the temporarily correction (example of tree branch you mentioned) - but, as some other watcher asked you, do you think that using several rubber bands might help us achieve such habit without this tension in fingers? I tried it today, it looks silly ( pasteboard.co/JfxurkS.png ), but it seems to work very good.
Thanks a lot. I make pretty much all the mistakes. I'm trying really hard to get my wrist straight, but I bend it automatically as I'm used to it. I wish I had watched this video two years ago.
Really helpful stuff, and vindication for some of the things I've done naturally while playing. I'm a self-taught guitar player like many, and there is so much conflicting information. I taught myself to finger-pick and NEVER braced my hand against the guitar with my pinky. I've seen so many people do this and have even been told I was playing incorrectly, but it was incredibly uncomfortable to have any part of my hand touching the guitar because it completely immobilizes your pinky and also restricts your range of motion for your ring finger, which is vital to have.
I'm probably not the first one to mention this, but you're completely wrong about banjo technique. The reason the pinky and ring fingers anchor the right hand has nothing to do with dampening sound or weakness in "self-taught" players. The picking technique for a 5-string banjo is completely different from a classical guitar: if I were to use the same technique on a nylon string guitar as I do on my banjo I would rip the strings right off. The fingers are held perpendicular to the head (the drum head) and usually the more force the better. Also, you do not want freedom of movement: the emphasis in the right hand is on keeping the fingers together. The other reason to anchor the hand is to use different hand positions (closer to or further from the bridge) to achieve different tones, especially when playing up the neck. If your pinky and ring finger aren't touching the head there's no reference point for smoothly moving the right hand away from the bridge. Classical guitar and 5-string banjo technique evolved from different places independently. The players who pioneered modern bluegrass playing were banjo players first and did not adapt the technique from classical guitar playing. The reason the technique is different is because it's a different thing, not at all because it's a deficient version of classical guitar.
A number of acoustic fingerpickers also play banjo and use banjo techniques in their guitar playing, they anchor their picking hand through their pinky. Acoustic guitars and flamenco guitars typically have a pickquard to avoid damage to the wood through anchoring (isn't bracing that stuff on the inside of the body? Like fan bracing, X bracing etc?) Or scratching with a flat pick.
@@hansvandermeulen2618 Indeed you only have to look at many 19th century guitars and there was a need to place a protective piece of wood in the sound board for this very purpose. Probably an influence from Lute technique. Just do what works for you. If you look at Jazz guitar nobody compares the techniques of Howard Roberts with say Wes Montgomery. They just enjoy the output!
@@Cabbycabbage This is very true. If we look at actually classical and romantic guitar playing from the 19th century, playing with the pinky finger on the sound board was very common. Classical guitars, such are those from the French school, have the finger board level with the soundboard and playing in this way makes more sense. Especially when you consider most guitarist of the classical and early romantic period played with p, m and i mostly. The use of the a finger was less common.
Love your teaching. Have a few questions: 1. I just started learning the guitar. I love classical guitar sounds, but I also love country, blues and even some rock licks. If I focus my attention on classical, will I still be able to play those other forms when I feel like it? 2. I just bought one of those rests for your leg, but without it, the guitar slides off my leg, I feel like I have to fight with the guitar to keep it on my lap, either with pressing it with my right arm (then it wants to squirt out away from me at the bottom), or holding on with my left hand (which makes it hard to move to a different location quickly), both violate my relaxation. Everyone (teacher) on RUclips seems to hold it effortlessly and it doesn't go anywhere. I am a former bodybuilder/powerlifter and have highly developed legs (so they are roundish - not fat) nothing for the guitar to hang on or hang up on. So is there something really wrong with my physiology?? 3. I don't want to grow my fingernails, so is it ok to use metal fingertips or something? Anyway, I'm retired now and am devoting a lot of time to this and really want to be a good player.
Big fan. I love your personality and so articulate, great knowledge and tips. Subscribed and watching all your videos this Saturday with my big ol' classical guitar on my lap. You are terrific.
Started with a Yamaha classical, age 21. Now 72 and play classical, steel, 12 string and electric. Have been anchoring with my pinky, but now want to anchor with my forearm. Think this teaching will enhance playing in all genres.
Incredibly helpful video, thank you! I just started about two and a half weeks ago, so I haven't fully developed bad habits yet, I've stopped bracing because of you, so thank you so much for that. However, bicycling is something I struggle to fix. Kind of a hard concept to identify. Perhaps the problem is I'm practicing on a steel string acoustic for now until I can buy a classical.
I know I’m 8yrs behind but this is worth sharing. I got cured of pinky bracing when I had no choice but to play a Yamaha silent guitar for a few months. There is nowhere for the offending pinky brace, you just learn to float and it does make tone better.
You're worth you're weight in gold. I studied classical guitar many many years ago I quit playing for 20 years. I'm bidding on a Ramirez guitar classical of course and I'm going to, I want to play The works of Sor. I am 68 years old. This is my bucket list. You're helping me recognize my bad habits
I mostly play fingerstyle and hawaiian slack key, and was told to use my pinky as a support to the guitar top to keep a good reference. However, getting told to do that repeatedly I was never able to do that. I just never got the hang of that. Now I want to learn some classical gutiar, I am positive it will help me with fingerstyle and slack key as well. Plus there are so many beautiful classical pieces to listen to. would be wonderful to play some of them. These videos are very informative, thank you
As a music education grad, it's so interesting to see the parallels and differences between good piano technique and that of classical guitar. Both strive for economy of motion. I just bought a student classical guitar for myself. Watching your videos reminds me that there is much I can learn to practice before I even play a note. I plan to take lessons but I will refer to your videos to allow me to ask intelligent questions of my future teacher(s). Special gratitude for offering all this for free--a sign of a dedicated player who shares for the love of the art and craft of music!
+Lynne Pedigo Riday-Reiter Thanks Lynne! My musical coach who I see every week is a former concert pianist. You're right, there are many parallels, both in movement concepts and phrasing issues, as both have decaying notes, balance of voices, etc. My teacher is ruclips.net/user/mhwestcott, if you'd like to give a listen. Cheers, Allen
This comment is about some misrepresentations of technique in reference to steel string plectrum playing and banjo pickers. Most teachers of flat picking recommend some kind of anchor to stabilize picking technique and tone. I have found that I use my palm on the edge of the bridge others use the pinkie, but most of the best flat-kickers/bluegrass pickers use some kind of anchor, things can happen very quickly in this genre. Banjo players, especially those playing Scruggs style with lots and lots of forward and reverse role and lots of syncopation use an anchor of some sort, almost always the pinkie, sometimes, nay almost always, very lightly and for different sounds and picking patterns it can be moved slightly, but is usually well anchored. Things on the Banjo happen very rapidly much of the time. Playing Classical Guitar is a w hole different world. I have taken up Classical Guitar at the age of 77. Sight reading has not been a problem as I have played Classical and Jazz piano since I was 4 years old. the stability of the right hand is not nearly the issue as it is in flat picking, but from time to time placement on or on the junction of bridge and top is helpful. There are so many techniques involving position of the right hand for tone color or use of tremolo techniques, playing harmonics and many other techniques in playing classical guitar, that your assertion that an anchor is more trouble than it is worth is correct. More important is left hand technique, placement of the thumb is very important for classical guitar. Players using a pick, finger picks, used in "Travis or Chet Atkins" styles of Finger Picking also wrap the thumb around for chording, the thumb is often used to fret bass strings, usually only for the "E" string in standard and sometimes with other tunings. This technique does not work on the 2 inch wide fretboards of classical guitars, unless of course, one has very long fingers. I rarely use the thumb when playing even the narrowest fret boards of steel string guitars. I have spent lots of time working on thumb placement on Classical Guitar even though my use of the thumb for fretting while flat picking is almost nonexistent. I would appreciate any tips on how to make Full Barre chords like F orF Sharp, or even for partial barre chords. I also would appreciate your recommendations on how to keep the thumb of my left hand stable. Flat pickers often will wrap the thumb around the neck even if the chord is not a full 6 string chord. I suspect that this is because of the often narrow fingerboards of steel string guitars intended to promote the use of the thumb rather than a barre. Sincerely Yours Don Denison
Hello. It has been a while since you've done this vid. The "common errors" someplaces did and someplaces did not resonate with me. I do "spade my fingers" and didn't really realize it. But I spent hours following John Williams book that taught something that looks like 'bicycling' but emphasized a good "follow through". But you and my past instructors (and instructors in proxy like Fernando Sor) justified each other on parts of the need to worry about your wrist and tendons, practice, find a way to practice the exajerated motion. I second the person who asked for a video about nails and string care. Also, sometimes the "claw" pattern can be beautiful in and of itself (Jerry Reed or Chet Atkins) For those who are into fusion or a fusion of genre's like me, those two are where classic guitar and country guitar cross paths.
I don't 'bicycle', but the tip about using your fretting hand as a gauge is great for figuring out the technique of moving your fingers, the only way to move without touching your other hand is pivoting the finger joint and knuckle. As a lefty that plays right-handed guitar, this helps a lot. Nothing feels natural to me so knowing simple tricks like this is extremely helpful.
What a trip! I was Just watching a video of a man repairing Willy Nelsons guitar "trigger" he kept talking about that hole. then you mentioned it here...
Hi Allen. Thanks so much for the video. I am a self taught classical guitarists and I am always looking for some way to improve. My dad has played guitar all his life and so has my brother, but I am the only one that has really decided to play classical. I am 17 years old and have played guitar for some years and classical for about 1 1/2 years. While I thankfully don't have any of the problems mentioned here except I might "bicycle" a little, it has shown me what to watch out for and has greatly instructed me. Thanks again, you teach amazing!
Willie Nelson's hole comes from the picking of his classical guitar (Trigger) . His band mates said you can see it come off in pieces like shrapnel when he is playing on stage. However willie stated in an interview he likes to put his fingers in it.
Hi Allen M.. Good job..I was self-taught and like rightly stated I realised the drawbacks in my playing Classical Guitar and some of them are applicable to me and I am changing my approach as mentioned and demonstrated in this video to rectify.. Thanks so much.. Please keep up this good job..warm cheers..siva..gtr.. India..👍😊🎶🎸
hey , really thanks for the tips , i started playing guitar by my self. never paid attention in right hand technics , bycicling and claw is something now on i'll paid attention!!!
Just recently stumbled upon your channel and just in time since I think I'm going to give playing the classical guitar a shot. Hope to learn much from your videos.
Sir, do you have any videos on tone production? I think that is very important. It would be great if you had a video on that. You are an awesome teacher!
DeimosGT Thanks for the note, and the compliment! Tone Production: www.classicalguitarshed.com/classical-guitar-tone/ And here's the article on nails: www.classicalguitarshed.com/classical-guitar-nails/ Cheers, Allen
Thanks for the time you put into your videos. You are very patient in your approach to teaching. I've subscribed and look forward to watching the rest of you videos. Thanks again! John
This is great stuff, please continue making these, perhaps best practices with sight reading and making breakthroughs in sight reading and reading music.
I really enjoyed your lesson. I am a middle aged engineer just starting my 3rd year of lessons. (Never too late to start.) I see I do about 3 of the 5 errors you pointed out am encouraged by your video to work on these. Do you have any videos on the thumb? I struggle controlling my thumb, especially playing tremolo. I tend to swing my thumb in a clockwise motion lifting about an inch off the strings. My teacher says to just stop doing that, but easier said than done. Thanks for sharing!
+xlr8r3VA Hey there, I don't think I've done an article just on the thumb yet, but have touched on it in several places (which I can't seem to recall just now, doh!). One suggestion would be to drop the pinky-side of your hand closer to the body of the guitar (turn the palm slightly up), and play simple arpeggio patterns with the thumb playing rest strokes and the fingers playing free strokes. This will give more control and security to thumb, which you can "carry over" to free strokes. Also, my general advice for any problem: SLOW DOWN. If you're doing this with the tremelo, my guess is that your are just "letting it rip", and are not in complete control. Slow the whole process down to a speed where you can remain in control. Don't worry about playing the piece, just focus on control, ease, and understanding of the details (musical details, and the details of your physical movement). Good luck! Allen
Good points, all, and I've studied at Sydney Conservatorium and taught for many years. I was fortunate to have these points almost rammedat me but I'm grateful for the efforts of my early pedagogs. Two things that I think you s/could put in are the importance of getting the best teacher you can - NOW, and the benefits of a fll length mirror to be used when practicing. Just suggestions but both of those points helped me immensely and I'm sure you're not self taught and have used a mirror before. Both are invaluable. Oh and with the right hand being the 'sound maker' I'm pleased to bothe agree with all your points ( Apoyando will help show how the last digit in the right hand should feel even when playing tirando) and that it is more imortant as such than the left. I'd rrather hear a beautiful Cmajor scale than a fast, furious, scratchy Chaconne any day. Both hands are important of course but with any stringed instrument the sound must come first.Good Video
Although I can keep my right hand as instructed, in-line with my fore arm, (and I do the ginger stretching exercises as shared elsewhere) I have a tough time to get my fingers engaged on the string to get a clear resonance. It often results in a very annoying 'thud' or 'thump'. I can't get my finger off the top of the string to allow it to vibrate... I guess that will improve with time.
Playing triplets on one string with i m & a while letting them rest against the next string is also a good way to minimize bicycling. The cause is in my experience often that the index finger is shorter than the other two, and this combined with the angle of the hand makes the fingers curl to align with the index. The trick is to train the fingers to use the first joint from the knuckles to do this compensation, rather than a curling motion. Resting the fingers against the next string keeps the last joints straight, forcing the first joint to do the compensation. This will carry over to some extent to "floating" (no rest) play.
What a great, instructive video. Might I suggest one more critical one for the right hand? Study and understand free strokes and rest strokes and when and why you use each of them. I find this to be what set's apart a guitar player from a real classical guitarist.
I think a clarification of the 'bicycling' error might involve a slow-motion video, from the best angle showing it, versus the 'correct' method..... Because, while the finger absolutely should move through the string as it's being sounded, if the finger then needs to re-strike the string (or has to go to strike a higher pitched string) it has to move somewhat in that direction... Using the left hand fingers placed over the right hand finger joints might give the wrong indication that 'bicycling' is going on....
Great video. Some really good reminders for what to avoid. I am currently returning to classical guitar after a long break. Am self taught and basically learnt everything so horribly wrong from the start. Changing technique is extremely difficult though when you have played for so long. Have been playing for 20 years( not very seriously though) with a faulty right hand thumb technique and only doing free stroke. Currently trying to get used to hit rest strokes with my thumb while playing free stroke simultaneously with one or more other finger. It is so hard. I used to hit notes with my thumb so that the thumb moved in towards my hand. Feels totally wrong to place the thumb and move it in another way. Frustrating not be able to play the simplest piece when some of the pieces I can play are fairly advanced. But probably best to completely abandon my whole repertoire if I want to get a proper technique. Starting at zero again and do things correctly. Playing old pieces would probably make me return to my old ways because of muscle memory. Feel very focused now though. More serious then ever. Hopefully I can still become a good guitarist. :)
Hi Robert, Thanks for the note. You're right: it is challenging to re-train deeply ingrained habits. One thing you could try (if you want to) is to separate your new technique practice from everything else. You can still play your old pieces, without worrying about right hand technique at all. Just play them for fun, knowing that you'll do it differently with pieces you learn from here out. Glad to hear you're focused! Best of luck with everything. Cheers, Allen
Yes separating the two is probably a good idea. But to tell you the truth, my thumb technique practice have made me realised how limited my sound was. Don't think I would get much enjoyment out of playing my old repertoire atm. Was a real eye opener to see all the new possibilities a different thumb attack makes. Being able to more easily bring out certain notes is really cool. Have been playing so long and basically always just "tried to play the notes without buzzes". Very robotic. Now I hopefully can start considering using some artistry. Actually had a bit of a breakthrough after I wrote my previous post. Have been practicing using a simple little piece that I came up with yesterday that used thumb reststroke together with different combinations of i m a. Since about one hour now I have been able to albeit very slowly play through the whole thing. Still a long way from getting it up to par but it's a start at least. It was weird. Was completely unable to play "p" rest + "a" free stroke. Took a 5 min break and when I sat down again I could do it somewhat ok right away. What seems hardest atm, can do it at all, is play a very very fast arpeggiated chord( like in John Dowland pieces) together with a rest stroke. But shouldn't rush it, best to take things in babysteps and make sure I get single notes+ rest stroke mastered completely first. Have I waited 20 years to learn the technique I probably shouldn't get impatient now lol. thanks again for the video, and reply end of the wall of text :P
Great work, Robert. That's really smart: taking a systematic approach to the finger combinations. I love this type of work and problem-solving. Kudos! Good luck with it all. Cheers, Allen
How to Get Started with Classical Guitar:
www.classicalguitarshed.com/beginner-classical-guitar/
Thank you to my teacher in college 30 years ago., Dr. Ming Fang for correcting all of these issues that I came with to his studio. I have carried all I have learned throughout my life with my guitar. Where ever you are now Dr., thank you.
I just started and this video is a game changer. Not everyone can afford private lessons. And the attention to detail is going to save me from so many mistakes!!!! I also have a very serious spine injury and ordered the guitar support. Best vid ever'
+Jennifer Ong Thanks Jennifer!
I am just starting the classical guitar (been playing acoustic steel-string for over 40 years), and this was of great value to create correct habits from the beginning. I am going to watch every one of Allen's videos. Thanks!
I am a self taught guitarist and now have to unlearn 2 years of pretty much all of these mistakes😅. Pray for me.
... Already do. ;-)
i'm self taught too.
I will sacrifice a cheap mexican nylon to segovia in your honor
What are Williams's tricks and style?
Hahah well... I still can't even put the guitar on the right position, i got used too much to the right legged position and sometimes my left hand suffers the pain of the horizontal neck but i don't know how to avoid my guitar from falling into space in the correct position. Might get the gadget he is using to see if that helps.
well after 3 months of playing guitar i can successfully tell you i've done none of these
but i was holding the guitar upside-down
haha
How do you refrain from hitting the other strings and not bicycling im really struggling with that
@@destiny8967 Pluck the strings at an angle, not perpendicular to the string.
"Where is he bracing now? I don't know". All said with a straight face. Brilliant 😂
Another outstanding video. So many pearls so clearly and succinctly communicated, thank you.
First time I grabbed a guitar it flew into space, so I know what you are saying
+Rodrigo Acosta It's strange, but it happens. Like frogs falling from the sky.
Super late reply but I didn't except to find a Magus of the Moon here!! I'm talking about Rodrigo's profile picture.
Jimi! is that you???!!!
“Dont touch the top of the guitar”
Me, who plays flamenco on my classical guitar, “too late” lmao
I taught classic guitar at college level while in my early 20s. My teacher had noticed that I had a good sense of instruction. Your are able to tie in, real world scenarios to make your point. This promotes understanding and greater retention.
Your presentation is also well produced.
+Bobcatt22 thanks Bobcatt! I appreciate the feedback! Cheers, Allen
I'm definitely a cycler, and a finger splayer. I remember looking at videos of how you're supposed to pluck the strings, but when I tried I would also hit the adjacent strings. So the bicycling was my solution. I guess I'll have another try at it. I would love a video on how to pluck properly while avoiding hitting other strings. The guitar strings are such a small space to work within, especially if you have fatter fingers!
I do this same thing with hitting other strings. Did you ever figure out how to stop?
Bouncing, splayed finger, bicycler here. 🤣 thankfully, I am very new. 1 year of practice with no formal training. Just a book and some you tube. This is going to help me improve a lot. Thanks for the well delivered and very informative video. It was a pleasure to watch.
"push through the note" i love it...this helped out a lot. thank you for this video.
Just starting out with classical guitar and this video is super helpful, thanks!
+Kim Liggins Thanks Kim! Best of luck to you!
Very helpful, thanks😀
I'm self taught and after years of playing I have developed the bounce. I think it's mainly lack of practice on the classical guitar as I play other styles too. I'm hoping it will decrease as I practice more, it's very annoying and stopping me from playing pieces that I used to play easily. At least I'm aware of it now and that it's not just me. Thanks for highlighting it in this video.
Thank you very much for this - I am also self taught, and with the help of this video I have recognized I have 2 out of five bad habits: bicycling and splayed fingers. Which are in a way related to each other. I think the single most valuable tip you gave in this video is to teach ourselves to keep fingers together, touching each other. In a way, it is counter-intuitive. But when you go several steps back, you immediately see the point - progress in technique happens almost instantaneously. My guess is that in this way you achieve 2 positive outcomes: you limit the amount of movement of each finger so it is the best way how to achieve movement economizing, but also - this helps you with precision, because by touching other fingers you actually give each finger good reference point in the space. Do you think this is true? At the beginning, it is kind of uncomfortable to hold fingers close to each other as you explained - because it brings tension to whole hand. I understand that it is the temporarily correction (example of tree branch you mentioned) - but, as some other watcher asked you, do you think that using several rubber bands might help us achieve such habit without this tension in fingers? I tried it today, it looks silly ( pasteboard.co/JfxurkS.png ), but it seems to work very good.
Yeah i have these problems too but i keep accidently bumoing other strings idk how to fix that
Thanks a lot. I make pretty much all the mistakes. I'm trying really hard to get my wrist straight, but I bend it automatically as I'm used to it. I wish I had watched this video two years ago.
Thanks for the comment. Most guitarists make these mistakes starting out. Good luck in turning them around!
Cheers,
Allen
Really helpful stuff, and vindication for some of the things I've done naturally while playing. I'm a self-taught guitar player like many, and there is so much conflicting information. I taught myself to finger-pick and NEVER braced my hand against the guitar with my pinky. I've seen so many people do this and have even been told I was playing incorrectly, but it was incredibly uncomfortable to have any part of my hand touching the guitar because it completely immobilizes your pinky and also restricts your range of motion for your ring finger, which is vital to have.
Yeah im so confused about all the information i dont know which is righr
“bicycling”...awesome tip. I’m a beginner and glad I learned that now. Thanks
I'm probably not the first one to mention this, but you're completely wrong about banjo technique. The reason the pinky and ring fingers anchor the right hand has nothing to do with dampening sound or weakness in "self-taught" players. The picking technique for a 5-string banjo is completely different from a classical guitar: if I were to use the same technique on a nylon string guitar as I do on my banjo I would rip the strings right off. The fingers are held perpendicular to the head (the drum head) and usually the more force the better. Also, you do not want freedom of movement: the emphasis in the right hand is on keeping the fingers together. The other reason to anchor the hand is to use different hand positions (closer to or further from the bridge) to achieve different tones, especially when playing up the neck. If your pinky and ring finger aren't touching the head there's no reference point for smoothly moving the right hand away from the bridge.
Classical guitar and 5-string banjo technique evolved from different places independently. The players who pioneered modern bluegrass playing were banjo players first and did not adapt the technique from classical guitar playing. The reason the technique is different is because it's a different thing, not at all because it's a deficient version of classical guitar.
A number of acoustic fingerpickers also play banjo and use banjo techniques in their guitar playing, they anchor their picking hand through their pinky. Acoustic guitars and flamenco guitars typically have a pickquard to avoid damage to the wood through anchoring (isn't bracing that stuff on the inside of the body? Like fan bracing, X bracing etc?) Or scratching with a flat pick.
@@hansvandermeulen2618 Indeed you only have to look at many 19th century guitars and there was a need to place a protective piece of wood in the sound board for this very purpose. Probably an influence from Lute technique. Just do what works for you. If you look at Jazz guitar nobody compares the techniques of Howard Roberts with say Wes Montgomery. They just enjoy the output!
@@Cabbycabbage This is very true. If we look at actually classical and romantic guitar playing from the 19th century, playing with the pinky finger on the sound board was very common. Classical guitars, such are those from the French school, have the finger board level with the soundboard and playing in this way makes more sense. Especially when you consider most guitarist of the classical and early romantic period played with p, m and i mostly. The use of the a finger was less common.
Thanks for the good hints! Bouncing by bicycling is a serious mistake to check, which is unnoticed before. Hope I have it not.
Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge .
Love your teaching. Have a few questions:
1. I just started learning the guitar. I love classical guitar sounds, but I also love country, blues and even some rock licks. If I focus my attention on classical, will I still be able to play those other forms when I feel like it?
2. I just bought one of those rests for your leg, but without it, the guitar slides off my leg, I feel like I have to fight with the guitar to keep it on my lap, either with pressing it with my right arm (then it wants to squirt out away from me at the bottom), or holding on with my left hand (which makes it hard to move to a different location quickly), both violate my relaxation. Everyone (teacher) on RUclips seems to hold it effortlessly and it doesn't go anywhere. I am a former bodybuilder/powerlifter and have highly developed legs (so they are roundish - not fat) nothing for the guitar to hang on or hang up on. So is there something really wrong with my physiology??
3. I don't want to grow my fingernails, so is it ok to use metal fingertips or something?
Anyway, I'm retired now and am devoting a lot of time to this and really want to be a good player.
Big fan. I love your personality and so articulate, great knowledge and tips. Subscribed and watching all your videos this Saturday with my big ol' classical guitar on my lap. You are terrific.
Started with a Yamaha classical, age 21. Now 72 and play classical, steel, 12 string and electric. Have been anchoring with my pinky, but now want to anchor with my forearm. Think this teaching will enhance playing in all genres.
Incredibly helpful video, thank you! I just started about two and a half weeks ago, so I haven't fully developed bad habits yet, I've stopped bracing because of you, so thank you so much for that. However, bicycling is something I struggle to fix. Kind of a hard concept to identify. Perhaps the problem is I'm practicing on a steel string acoustic for now until I can buy a classical.
Right on the nail! Have battled with all of these both personally, and helping other students. Thank you.
Thanks for the great lesson.
great lesson ... not only for students but for teachers too...
I know I’m 8yrs behind but this is worth sharing. I got cured of pinky bracing when I had no choice but to play a Yamaha silent guitar for a few months. There is nowhere for the offending pinky brace, you just learn to float and it does make tone better.
Your information very helpful, and absolutely educational. Thanks
You're worth you're weight in gold. I studied classical guitar many many years ago I quit playing for 20 years. I'm bidding on a Ramirez guitar classical of course and I'm going to, I want to play The works of Sor. I am 68 years old. This is my bucket list. You're helping me recognize my bad habits
I mostly play fingerstyle and hawaiian slack key, and was told to use my pinky as a support to the guitar top to keep a good reference.
However, getting told to do that repeatedly I was never able to do that. I just never got the hang of that.
Now I want to learn some classical gutiar, I am positive it will help me with fingerstyle and slack key as well. Plus there are so many beautiful classical pieces to listen to. would be wonderful to play some of them.
These videos are very informative, thank you
Thanks, very helpful. I feel like you've been watching me play. I've been guilty at time of all the errors you mentioned. Especially the bouncing.
+Joel Watson My pleasure, Joel! Thanks for watching. Good luck!
As a music education grad, it's so interesting to see the parallels and differences between good piano technique and that of classical guitar. Both strive for economy of motion. I just bought a student classical guitar for myself. Watching your videos reminds me that there is much I can learn to practice before I even play a note. I plan to take lessons but I will refer to your videos to allow me to ask intelligent questions of my future teacher(s). Special gratitude for offering all this for free--a sign of a dedicated player who shares for the love of the art and craft of music!
+Lynne Pedigo Riday-Reiter Thanks Lynne! My musical coach who I see every week is a former concert pianist. You're right, there are many parallels, both in movement concepts and phrasing issues, as both have decaying notes, balance of voices, etc. My teacher is ruclips.net/user/mhwestcott, if you'd like to give a listen. Cheers, Allen
This lesson is so important. Very good video and instruction. Thank you .
Thx for the videos. Insightful and funny at times. Keep up the good work.
Initially I use my pinky as a reference point when finger picking. I don't really anymore, but it was a useful crutch
This comment is about some misrepresentations of technique in reference to steel string plectrum playing and banjo pickers. Most teachers of flat picking recommend some kind of anchor to stabilize picking technique and tone. I have found that I use my palm on the edge of the bridge others use the pinkie, but most of the best flat-kickers/bluegrass pickers use some kind of anchor, things can happen very quickly in this genre. Banjo players, especially those playing Scruggs style with lots and lots of forward and reverse role and lots of syncopation use an anchor of some sort, almost always the pinkie, sometimes, nay almost always, very lightly and for different sounds and picking patterns it can be moved slightly, but is usually well anchored. Things on the Banjo happen very rapidly much of the time. Playing Classical Guitar is a w hole different world. I have taken up Classical Guitar at the age of 77. Sight reading has not been a problem as I have played Classical and Jazz piano since I was 4 years old. the stability of the right hand is not nearly the issue as it is in flat picking, but from time to time placement on or on the junction of bridge and top is helpful. There are so many techniques involving position of the right hand for tone color or use of tremolo techniques, playing harmonics and many other techniques in playing classical guitar, that your assertion that an anchor is more trouble than it is worth is correct. More important is left hand technique, placement of the thumb is very important for classical guitar. Players using a pick, finger picks, used in "Travis or Chet Atkins" styles of Finger Picking also wrap the thumb around for chording, the thumb is often used to fret bass strings, usually only for the "E" string in standard and sometimes with other tunings. This technique does not work on the 2 inch wide fretboards of classical guitars, unless of course, one has very long fingers. I rarely use the thumb when playing even the narrowest fret boards of steel string guitars. I have spent lots of time working on thumb placement on Classical Guitar even though my use of the thumb for fretting while flat picking is almost nonexistent.
I would appreciate any tips on how to make Full Barre chords like F orF Sharp, or even for partial barre chords. I also would appreciate your recommendations on how to keep the thumb of my left hand stable. Flat pickers often will wrap the thumb around the neck even if the chord is not a full 6 string chord. I suspect that this is because of the often narrow fingerboards of steel string guitars intended to promote the use of the thumb rather than a barre.
Sincerely Yours
Don Denison
Hello. It has been a while since you've done this vid. The "common errors" someplaces did and someplaces did not resonate with me.
I do "spade my fingers" and didn't really realize it. But I spent hours following John Williams book that taught something that looks like 'bicycling' but emphasized a good "follow through".
But you and my past instructors (and instructors in proxy like Fernando Sor) justified each other on parts of the need to worry about your wrist and tendons, practice, find a way to practice the exajerated motion. I second the person who asked for a video about nails and string care.
Also, sometimes the "claw" pattern can be beautiful in and of itself (Jerry Reed or Chet Atkins) For those who are into fusion or a fusion of genre's like me, those two are where classic guitar and country guitar cross paths.
it really is a simple as opening and closing hand...finally understanding that now, very cool
Super lesson thank you for the bicycling correction tip>
I don't 'bicycle', but the tip about using your fretting hand as a gauge is great for figuring out the technique of moving your fingers, the only way to move without touching your other hand is pivoting the finger joint and knuckle. As a lefty that plays right-handed guitar, this helps a lot. Nothing feels natural to me so knowing simple tricks like this is extremely helpful.
Great! Thanks, Paul!
What a trip! I was Just watching a video of a man repairing Willy Nelsons guitar "trigger" he kept talking about that hole. then you mentioned it here...
thank you
Good stuff. Will definitely check out your other videos man. Subscribed.
Thanks Izayah!
Hi Allen. Thanks so much for the video. I am a self taught classical guitarists and I am always looking for some way to improve. My dad has played guitar all his life and so has my brother, but I am the only one that has really decided to play classical. I am 17 years old and have played guitar for some years and classical for about 1 1/2 years. While I thankfully don't have any of the problems mentioned here except I might "bicycle" a little, it has shown me what to watch out for and has greatly instructed me. Thanks again, you teach amazing!
+wrxyluv Thanks so much! Great to hear from you.
Cheers, Allen
I think you really did a fantastic job with this video. I'm self taught and your videos help me immensely.
+Nate cargile Thanks Nate! I'm glad you found it helpful!
Cheers,
Allen
Willie Nelson's hole comes from the picking of his classical guitar (Trigger) . His band mates said you can see it come off in pieces like shrapnel when he is playing on stage. However willie stated in an interview he likes to put his fingers in it.
I was going to say that it was most likely a plectrum.
enjoyed the video. The hole in Willie Nelson's guitar is not from bracing. The hole is because he uses a pick. He says it himself in interviews.
Thanks for the info Allen! Very helpful, and it's a pleasure to watch you teach!
+Tricia Biotop Thanks Tricia!
Hi Allen M.. Good job..I was self-taught and like rightly stated I realised the drawbacks in my playing Classical Guitar and some of them are applicable to me and I am changing my approach as mentioned and demonstrated in this video to rectify.. Thanks so much.. Please keep up this good job..warm cheers..siva..gtr.. India..👍😊🎶🎸
Thanks so much for your kind words!
Classical Guitar Shed Thanks.. Warm cheers..🙏😊🎶🎸
I have just started Classical Guitar and was surprisingly ok except the 'Bicycle'! That improved my sound in 2 seconds! Thanks!
Awesome, Nathan! Thanks!
this is a great informative video. thank you for posting
+Reynaldo Cunanan Thanks Reynaldo!
hey , really thanks for the tips , i started playing guitar by my self. never paid attention in right hand technics , bycicling and claw is something now on i'll paid attention!!!
+Marco aurelio Guerra Good luck, Marco!
Just recently stumbled upon your channel and just in time since I think I'm going to give playing the classical guitar a shot. Hope to learn much from your videos.
This video was very helpful - thank you for the time you put into it.
Thanks, Cal!
Sir, do you have any videos on tone production? I think that is very important. It would be great if you had a video on that. You are an awesome teacher!
DeimosGT Thanks for the note, and the compliment! Tone Production: www.classicalguitarshed.com/classical-guitar-tone/ And here's the article on nails: www.classicalguitarshed.com/classical-guitar-nails/
Cheers, Allen
Great considerations. A must for all guitar players!
Thanks for the time you put into your videos. You are very patient in your approach to teaching. I've subscribed and look forward to watching the rest of you videos. Thanks again! John
Thanks, John!
Cheers,
Allen
Thank you very much!. That was very informative.
+masoteld My pleasure, Masoteld, thanks for watching! cheers, Allen
Thank you!!!
When you said "low ceiling on this", I really thought you were gonna tell some joke about smacking your hand on the ceiling due to bouncing it so much
Great tips. Thanks a lot for sharing!
Self taught. Going on 4 years. Wish I started with your videos man. Thx for the tips.
TheHeadHunter1000 Thanks! I hope it helps! Cheers, Allen
Thank you !!! I have learned to fix some bad habits !!! thank you You are a great instructor !!!
Thanks Hector! Good luck!
This is great stuff, please continue making these, perhaps best practices with sight reading and making breakthroughs in sight reading and reading music.
+Baris Baser Hi Baris, thanks so much. I do have a course on reading music: www.classicalguitarshed.com/courses/how-to-read-music-for-guitar/
Very illuminating indeed.
this is such an incredibly good video...thanks for posting it
+Nick G thanks Nick!
Always, always great to review. Thanks
I always had a habit of bicycling but I managed to eliminate it, lol. I've played classical for about 8 years now
+TheGamer361 Awesome! Best of luck in your next 8!
How did you stop and how did you prevent from bumping other strings on accident while you play?
I used to bicycle whilst playing my guitar. I became expert at it and eventually went to a monocycle. I have a big red nose and work in a circus now.
This is Excellent!
Thanks for sharing.
peace
Great lesson, Thank you!
Thanks...ALL helped me a bunch..
Len Pace That's great, Len! Good luck with it all! Cheers, Allen
Thank you for the proper method of playing classical guitar. FYI, there are people on RUclips teaching to play by the bicycle method.
Tanx a lot dear Allen .that was so intersting, extremly nice n useful👏👏👏🤗🤗🤗😍😍😍
I really enjoyed your lesson. I am a middle aged engineer just starting my 3rd year of lessons. (Never too late to start.) I see I do about 3 of the 5 errors you pointed out am encouraged by your video to work on these. Do you have any videos on the thumb? I struggle controlling my thumb, especially playing tremolo. I tend to swing my thumb in a clockwise motion lifting about an inch off the strings. My teacher says to just stop doing that, but easier said than done. Thanks for sharing!
+xlr8r3VA Hey there, I don't think I've done an article just on the thumb yet, but have touched on it in several places (which I can't seem to recall just now, doh!).
One suggestion would be to drop the pinky-side of your hand closer to the body of the guitar (turn the palm slightly up), and play simple arpeggio patterns with the thumb playing rest strokes and the fingers playing free strokes. This will give more control and security to thumb, which you can "carry over" to free strokes.
Also, my general advice for any problem: SLOW DOWN. If you're doing this with the tremelo, my guess is that your are just "letting it rip", and are not in complete control. Slow the whole process down to a speed where you can remain in control. Don't worry about playing the piece, just focus on control, ease, and understanding of the details (musical details, and the details of your physical movement).
Good luck! Allen
I found this really useful. Excellent tutorial. Thank you. Will check out your website
wrenrover Thanks wrenrover! See you over there! ~Allen
Thank you for all the tips. Can you play the song
Tonight I celebrate my love.. couldn't find a good tutorial and find finger style difficult
Good points, all, and I've studied at Sydney Conservatorium and taught for many years. I was fortunate to have these points almost rammedat me but I'm grateful for the efforts of my early pedagogs. Two things that I think you s/could put in are the importance of getting the best teacher you can - NOW, and the benefits of a fll length mirror to be used when practicing. Just suggestions but both of those points helped me immensely and I'm sure you're not self taught and have used a mirror before. Both are invaluable. Oh and with the right hand being the 'sound maker' I'm pleased to bothe agree with all your points ( Apoyando will help show how the last digit in the right hand should feel even when playing tirando) and that it is more imortant as such than the left. I'd rrather hear a beautiful Cmajor scale than a fast, furious, scratchy Chaconne any day. Both hands are important of course but with any stringed instrument the sound must come first.Good Video
+Mark Thuaux Thanks Mark! I'm a fan of the full-length mirror for practice as well. Cheers, Allen
I WILL CONTINUE TOUCH THE GUITAR TOP THANK YOU VERY MUCH
THANK YOUUUUU!!!! Pretty good tips were these. They helped a lot.
Although I can keep my right hand as instructed, in-line with my fore arm, (and I do the ginger stretching exercises as shared elsewhere) I have a tough time to get my fingers engaged on the string to get a clear resonance. It often results in a very annoying 'thud' or 'thump'. I can't get my finger off the top of the string to allow it to vibrate... I guess that will improve with time.
Playing triplets on one string with i m & a while letting them rest against the next string is also a good way to minimize bicycling. The cause is in my experience often that the index finger is shorter than the other two, and this combined with the angle of the hand makes the fingers curl to align with the index. The trick is to train the fingers to use the first joint from the knuckles to do this compensation, rather than a curling motion. Resting the fingers against the next string keeps the last joints straight, forcing the first joint to do the compensation. This will carry over to some extent to "floating" (no rest) play.
Hopefully as I progress in my guitar play, I will better understand the suggestions. Thanks for your post
Excellent video, thank you.
+lilbuddhist Thanks!
Excellent video. This is really eye-opening!
HI! Thanks Shed, I made some mistakes, but i think now I got it and I will work on that. Great video!
eldelpucho Thanks! Good luck!
You deserve more views my friend. very nice videos you have. congratulations for the work!
Thanks
This was incredible! Can you recommend a video to watch as the first thing when getting into classical guitar? Thanks!
Brilliant - thank you.
Im a rock, jazz player thats getting into classical and these are some great lessons!!,........thank you,...
Thanks Sean!
What a great, instructive video. Might I suggest one more critical one for the right hand? Study and understand free strokes and rest strokes and when and why you use each of them. I find this to be what set's apart a guitar player from a real classical guitarist.
BTW, SUBSCRIBED!
thanks, good lesson
I think a clarification of the 'bicycling' error might involve a slow-motion video, from the best angle showing it, versus the 'correct' method..... Because, while the finger absolutely should move through the string as it's being sounded, if the finger then needs to re-strike the string (or has to go to strike a higher pitched string) it has to move somewhat in that direction... Using the left hand fingers placed over the right hand finger joints might give the wrong indication that 'bicycling' is going on....
The think the hardest part of learning Classical Guitar technique was getting rid of the pinky anchor. I'm sure glad I broke that habit!
Great video. Some really good reminders for what to avoid.
I am currently returning to classical guitar after a long break. Am self taught and basically learnt everything so horribly wrong from the start. Changing technique is extremely difficult though when you have played for so long.
Have been playing for 20 years( not very seriously though) with a faulty right hand thumb technique and only doing free stroke. Currently trying to get used to hit rest strokes with my thumb while playing free stroke simultaneously with one or more other finger. It is so hard.
I used to hit notes with my thumb so that the thumb moved in towards my hand. Feels totally wrong to place the thumb and move it in another way.
Frustrating not be able to play the simplest piece when some of the pieces I can play are fairly advanced. But probably best to completely abandon my whole repertoire if I want to get a proper technique. Starting at zero again and do things correctly. Playing old pieces would probably make me return to my old ways because of muscle memory.
Feel very focused now though. More serious then ever. Hopefully I can still become a good guitarist. :)
Hi Robert, Thanks for the note. You're right: it is challenging to re-train deeply ingrained habits. One thing you could try (if you want to) is to separate your new technique practice from everything else. You can still play your old pieces, without worrying about right hand technique at all. Just play them for fun, knowing that you'll do it differently with pieces you learn from here out.
Glad to hear you're focused! Best of luck with everything. Cheers, Allen
Yes separating the two is probably a good idea. But to tell you the truth, my thumb technique practice have made me realised how limited my sound was. Don't think I would get much enjoyment out of playing my old repertoire atm. Was a real eye opener to see all the new possibilities a different thumb attack makes. Being able to more easily bring out certain notes is really cool. Have been playing so long and basically always just "tried to play the notes without buzzes". Very robotic. Now I hopefully can start considering using some artistry.
Actually had a bit of a breakthrough after I wrote my previous post. Have been practicing using a simple little piece that I came up with yesterday that used thumb reststroke together with different combinations of i m a. Since about one hour now I have been able to albeit very slowly play through the whole thing.
Still a long way from getting it up to par but it's a start at least. It was weird. Was completely unable to play "p" rest + "a" free stroke. Took a 5 min break and when I sat down again I could do it somewhat ok right away.
What seems hardest atm, can do it at all, is play a very very fast arpeggiated chord( like in John Dowland pieces) together with a rest stroke. But shouldn't rush it, best to take things in babysteps and make sure I get single notes+ rest stroke mastered completely first. Have I waited 20 years to learn the technique I probably shouldn't get impatient now lol.
thanks again for the video, and reply
end of the wall of text :P
Great work, Robert. That's really smart: taking a systematic approach to the finger combinations. I love this type of work and problem-solving. Kudos! Good luck with it all. Cheers,
Allen
This is a very helpful video.
Thank you soo much
Thanks. As a non-classical fingerstyle guitar player, I'm guilty of pretty much all of these.