Re: neck width of classical guitar vs. steel strung guitar
> The beginner is busy learning so many other things,
> including reading standard notation that tone
> is probably the least of his worries!
Then, if the beginner is trying to learn to play the classical guitar
well at even the earliest levels, he or she should probably find a new
teacher. Also, if taught properly from the foundational stages, the
student will be able to play more repertoire more quickly and give
better performances. The hands tend to get in between what the brain
wants to do and the music being heard. Train the hands to obey the
brain!
If the beginner just wants to 'hear the notes' then it does not really
matter.
I do a demonstration at the beginning of the year for students and
parents. You can imagine the situations in which parents will tell me,
"It sounds fine, why didn't he get an 'A'?" I put the guitar in my lap
and play one of the first tests entirely with my i finger and fret the
notes with my elbow. Did you hear all of the notes in time? Of course
you did. Have I learned anything about foundational technique that
will support and propel me to the next level. Not at all, and in fact
have gone backwards as I would have to unlearn what I learned.
This extreme example illustrates what can occur in the subtle
development of classical guitar technique which is quite complex.
Again, if a student just wants to 'hear the notes' and that provides
pleasure, by all means do it, but the student will not enjoy reaching
his potential even at the beginning levels. And if a student does not
care about that then that is just fine, enjoy (though being able
things he thought were beyond him is also a source of great enjoyment,
and in fact those 'lightbulb' moments are some of the greatest moments
in teaching). Anything worth having is worth working for.
<castlebrav…
RichL
