Spanish guitar
Techniques Used for Playing the Spanish Guitar
Mike Jerry
Spanish guitars are also known as classic guitars or Flamenco guitars. It has the appearance of a simple instrument, but it takes a lot of practice to play it proficiently. It is played from a seated position. The beautiful music it produces is primarily achieved by plucking the strings. The occasional strumming is done with the back of the fingernails. It is played from a seated position, which gives the musician greater control of the instrument. The body is made from a variety of woods that give it its glossy appearance. Read on to find out more about this great instrument.
The classic guitar sometimes referred to as Flamenco or Spanish guitar, is not played in the traditional fashion of other guitars, and therefore is designed with this adjusted playing style in mind. While most guitars are designed to be strummed or played using a pick playing one string at a time, the Spanish guitar is designed for finger-picking.
In finger-picking, the left hand will hold strings down to the desired chord, while fingers on the right hand are used to pluck the individual strings. This playing technique can produce polyphonic tones with two, three or even four "voices" of music at the same time. As a result of this technique, there has to be more room between the strings to allow for the fingers to pluck the strings and the guitar neck also needs to be wider.
When playing Spanish guitar music, it is necessary at times to strum the strings. The strumming is done, usually with the back of the fingernails and is called rasgueo or if strumming in a pattern, rasgueado. The Spanish guitar usually has a larger body than that of traditional guitars to produce more volume while the strings are being individually plucked. When they are strummed the sound is usually full and rich.
Playing in a Seated Position
It is rare that you will see a Spanish guitar played while being held with a strap. Normally, the musician will be seated on a stool with the right leg propped up on a smaller stool or on the rung of the stool on which they are seated. The guitar is placed on the right knee and held in place by the right arm. This gives the person playing the Spanish guitar much more control over the guitar's position and more flexibility in the movement of the right hand.
Strings on a Spanish guitar are traditionally a mix of nylon and wound steel. The three strings used for treble sounds, are nylon while the remaining three bass strings are usually flat-wound steel. The strings have less tension than on a traditional guitar and offers better vibration for improved resonance through the hollow body of the guitar.
The body of a Spanish guitar is usually made with mahogany or rosewood while the top, or soundboard, is made of spruce, mahogany or red cedar. It is extremely thin and internal bracing is used to prevent it from collapsing under the strain of the tension of the strings. The quality of the soundboard and placement of its internal bracing helps define the sound quality of the guitar.
In finger-picking, the left hand will hold strings down to the desired chord, while fingers on the right hand are used to pluck the individual strings. This playing technique can produce polyphonic tones with two, three or even four "voices" of music at the same time. As a result of this technique, there has to be more room between the strings to allow for the fingers to pluck the strings and the guitar neck also needs to be wider.
When playing Spanish guitar music, it is necessary at times to strum the strings. The strumming is done, usually with the back of the fingernails and is called rasgueo or if strumming in a pattern, rasgueado. The Spanish guitar usually has a larger body than that of traditional guitars to produce more volume while the strings are being individually plucked. When they are strummed the sound is usually full and rich.
Playing in a Seated Position
It is rare that you will see a Spanish guitar played while being held with a strap. Normally, the musician will be seated on a stool with the right leg propped up on a smaller stool or on the rung of the stool on which they are seated. The guitar is placed on the right knee and held in place by the right arm. This gives the person playing the Spanish guitar much more control over the guitar's position and more flexibility in the movement of the right hand.
Strings on a Spanish guitar are traditionally a mix of nylon and wound steel. The three strings used for treble sounds, are nylon while the remaining three bass strings are usually flat-wound steel. The strings have less tension than on a traditional guitar and offers better vibration for improved resonance through the hollow body of the guitar.
The body of a Spanish guitar is usually made with mahogany or rosewood while the top, or soundboard, is made of spruce, mahogany or red cedar. It is extremely thin and internal bracing is used to prevent it from collapsing under the strain of the tension of the strings. The quality of the soundboard and placement of its internal bracing helps define the sound quality of the guitar.
