Title:
Learn To Play Guide For Spanish Guitar
Word Count:
450
Summary:
The Spanish Guitar
The Spanish guitar, also called the classical guitar, is an acoustic guitar with six nylon or gut strings that
resembles the Flamenco guitar, and is the most widely used kind of guitar. The nylon-based strings are
commonly used, making it easier to use for both plucking and strumming, and giving it a softer, warmer
sound. In addition, carbon fiber or composite treble strings have also gained popularity. The body is usually
constructed out of hard wood, s...
Keywords:
learn, spanish, online, language, free, fast
Article Body:
The Spanish Guitar
The Spanish guitar, also called the classical guitar, is an acoustic guitar with six nylon or gut strings that
resembles the Flamenco guitar, and is the most widely used kind of guitar. The nylon-based strings are
commonly used, making it easier to use for both plucking and strumming, and giving it a softer, warmer
sound. In addition, carbon fiber or composite treble strings have also gained popularity. The body is usually
constructed out of hard wood, such as rosewood, while spruce or cedar is typically used for the top. The
Spanish guitar is mostly used in classical music, Latin music, Flamenco, Folk music, and in other
contemporary styles such as country, rock, jazz, bluegrass, folk, and pop.
There are numerous manufacturers of the Spanish guitar all over the world. Spain remains the hub, and
Ramirez is one of the most well-known manufacturers. However, major electric guitar companies such as
Epiphone, Ibanez, Fender, and Gibson; and acoustic and electric guitar manufacturers such as Taylor,
Yamaha, and Ovation also produce different types of Spanish guitars.
Brief History of the Spanish Guitar
The history of the Spanish guitar and its ancestor, the baroque guitar, spans over four centuries and dates
back to the late 18th century, and through to the Renaissance period and most probably from the Greek
kithara lyre. Notable arrangers, composers, and Spanish guitar players in history include Andrés Segovia
(1893-1987), Fernando Sor (1778-1839), Francisco Tárrega (1852-1909), Gaspar Sanz (1640-1710), John
Williams (1941), and Mauro Giuliani (1781-1829). Today, contemporary artists such as Sting, Willie
Nelson, Peter White, Eric Clapton, and Eddie Van Halen continue to influence the music world with the use
of Spanish guitar.
What you should know when learning to Play Spanish Guitar
• The Spanish guitar is traditionally played using Finger Style Guitar, and combination of the finger tips and
the nails.
• The Spanish guitar, while playing, is placed on the left leg which is raised with a footstool, while the right
arm holds the guitar in place. This is for greater mobility and access to the strings and fingerboard.
• A plectrum or bow is typically not used to pluck the strings because using the fingers enables the player to
produce polyphonic music. So Spanish/classical guitar music usually sustains 2 to 4 musical lines and
voices.
• The Spanish guitar may however be played with a plectrum or bow in pop oriented music.
• The fingerboard is a little wider than other guitars to provide more space between the strings while
plucking.
• Nylon strings are used to give a unique, speckled and rich color palette sound to the Spanish guitar.
• The Spanish guitar is intended to be played acoustically but electronic pickup systems have also been
incorporated in many products for live performances.
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