Sudden urge to buy a classical and learn to read music

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Col_DeckerCol_Decker Frets: 2275
Out of nowhere I've got a sudden desire to get a nylon classical guitar and learning to play it properly, ie reading music. Anybody here play? Second hand prices are beginner friendly too, lots to be had for under £100 that should be good enough to get me going.

Is this my mid-life crisis starting? Safer than getting a motorbike I guess.

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  • Open_GOpen_G Frets: 316
    I did this in my mid 20’s after playing for 10 years. I booked in for some lessons. 

    The progress was surprisingly slow but reading music is well worth it, if a massive pain vs tab. Beyond reading the notation you’ve got to be able to read 2,3, or 4 notes at once and then translate to the multiple occurrences on the fretboard. I ended up at grade 5 standard before the level of commitment needed stumped me but it’s surprising how many good pieces there are at grade 2-4. Even grade 1 there’s plenty to get your teeth into. 

    I think I started off with a book called the magic guitar- very easy pieces. 

    Generally speaking it made a far better player all round. 
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  • WhistlerWhistler Frets: 444
    Is this my mid-life crisis starting?
    Only if you want a sporty red classical guitar!
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  • SupportactSupportact Frets: 1548
    I play electric and acoustic in a band, but play classical just for myself to relax at home. Like @Open_G I think playing classical has made me a better player generally.  Both in theory and technique,  but also I think it opens me up to music outside of my usual rock/indie/folk genres which is a good thing. Mainly it's a challenge and fun to do, so I'd say go for it. 

    I would advise having some lessons with a specialist classical teacher either in person or online,  at least at first.  It will help massively to have a good basic technique from the start to build on. 

    I also like the Youtube channel called 'This is Classical Guitar', there are some good lessons and exercises on there. 

    And no you don't need an expensive guitar to start,  there are good budget options,  just make sure you get one that stays in tune and plays well, or budget for a set up. 

    Good luck, let us know how you get on!




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  • Col_DeckerCol_Decker Frets: 2275
    @Supportact yeah I've already looked for a teacher and found one who lives 5 mins from my house, ideal.

    Going to a local music shop tonight to pick up a hard case for my 335, so will check out the 2nd hand section while I'm there.

    For all your Oasis Tribute band needs: https://www.facebook.com/SupernovaOasisTribute

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  • @Supportact yeah I've already looked for a teacher and found one who lives 5 mins from my house, ideal.

    Going to a local music shop tonight to pick up a hard case for my 335, so will check out the 2nd hand section while I'm there.

    Oooh Classical. I studied it for 4 years at the RCM in the early 90s, got a performing diploma and did a couple of London recitals. Even had some coaching with John Williams. Destined for great things surely? Erm...nope. Upon graduation (and moving back home) my dear old Dad gave me an ultimatum - become a professional performer by the end of the summer hols or get a proper job :) So I became a waiter, then a labourer and never played it again.

    However, I still remember a bit about it and my main advice would be to find a properly qualified teacher. Ideally one with an ARCM, LRAM or LTCL qualification. Then you will know they have the chops. There are alot of classical cowboys out there who will be quite happy to take your dosh and for you to have your LH thumb play the bass notes (a la some steel string players) and have a flat RH wrist position...whilst teaching you SOTW from tab.

    It is a bit tricky to start with but can be very satisfying (if not given ultimatums) and you don't need to know too much for people to think you're the dog's bollox! No need to spend much dosh on a guitar either when dipping your toe in.

    If you have any questions do feel free to drop me a message.
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  • Open_GOpen_G Frets: 316
    In terms of guitars I’d recommend not going too low in terms of action. Classicals are naturally easier to fret and barre, and if you try to match an action that you’d go for on a typical acoustic it may well be too low once you start digging into a classical a bit. 

    Classical techniques are a lot more rigid than other styles and it took me a while to get used to things like wrist positioning.  
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  • SupportactSupportact Frets: 1548
    @Supportact yeah I've already looked for a teacher and found one who lives 5 mins from my house, ideal.

    Going to a local music shop tonight to pick up a hard case for my 335, so will check out the 2nd hand section while I'm there.

    Oooh Classical. I studied it for 4 years at the RCM in the early 90s, got a performing diploma and did a couple of London recitals. Even had some coaching with John Williams. Destined for great things surely? Erm...nope. Upon graduation (and moving back home) my dear old Dad gave me an ultimatum - become a professional performer by the end of the summer hols or get a proper job :) So I became a waiter, then a labourer and never played it again.

    However, I still remember a bit about it and my main advice would be to find a properly qualified teacher. Ideally one with an ARCM, LRAM or LTCL qualification. Then you will know they have the chops. There are alot of classical cowboys out there who will be quite happy to take your dosh and for you to have your LH thumb play the bass notes (a la some steel string players) and have a flat RH wrist position...whilst teaching you SOTW from tab.

    It is a bit tricky to start with but can be very satisfying (if not given ultimatums) and you don't need to know too much for people to think you're the dog's bollox! No need to spend much dosh on a guitar either when dipping your toe in.

    If you have any questions do feel free to drop me a message.
    Wow. Not wanting to derail the thread but if you ever fancy sharing your recollections of John Williams I'd be very interested!
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  • WafflesOnHorsebackWafflesOnHorseback Frets: 250
    edited January 9
    @Supportact yeah I've already looked for a teacher and found one who lives 5 mins from my house, ideal.

    Going to a local music shop tonight to pick up a hard case for my 335, so will check out the 2nd hand section while I'm there.

    Oooh Classical. I studied it for 4 years at the RCM in the early 90s, got a performing diploma and did a couple of London recitals. Even had some coaching with John Williams. Destined for great things surely? Erm...nope. Upon graduation (and moving back home) my dear old Dad gave me an ultimatum - become a professional performer by the end of the summer hols or get a proper job So I became a waiter, then a labourer and never played it again.

    However, I still remember a bit about it and my main advice would be to find a properly qualified teacher. Ideally one with an ARCM, LRAM or LTCL qualification. Then you will know they have the chops. There are alot of classical cowboys out there who will be quite happy to take your dosh and for you to have your LH thumb play the bass notes (a la some steel string players) and have a flat RH wrist position...whilst teaching you SOTW from tab.

    It is a bit tricky to start with but can be very satisfying (if not given ultimatums) and you don't need to know too much for people to think you're the dog's bollox! No need to spend much dosh on a guitar either when dipping your toe in.

    If you have any questions do feel free to drop me a message.
    Wow. Not wanting to derail the thread but if you ever fancy sharing your recollections of John Williams I'd be very interested!
    It's alot of years ago now but one thing that has stayed with me is he had us for ensemble (that's what he came in for, ensemble coaching not solo stuff as he didn't teach anyone on their own at that time). First task was to arrange a Haydn trio for 3 guitars. Then perform it to everyone else. So we did and my bit had alot of open D's repeated for ages. He spent almost the entire session slating me for not putting any effort into the D's just because they were open. I played them all the same. He was mildly disgusted by me. He was right of course but it was a 'kin mare tbh. Made me look a bit of a tool. Prior to this he had come in to meet us (the guitar department) in a small room. There weren't many guitarists at that time (maybe 12). He was going round the room asking us what our ambitions were and of course everyone said 'to become a professional performer'. Unfortunately, at the time I was going through one of my reactionary phases and so when it came to me I said 'I want to go to art college'. I think he was massively disgusted by me - as was everyone else.

    In fariness, I was a massive nob back then. It just wasn't meant to be with me and CG. All good life experience though - and more than happy to share any constructive info if I can.

    Sorry OP for derailing your topic!


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  • stufisherstufisher Frets: 1079
    When I was at university there was a lad in my flat who I thought was a great guitar player. He could play almost anything, off the cuff and sing well too ... very accomplished indeed.

    He mentioned that he'd learned to play classical guitar when he was young but hadn't played such for years, as playing in bands had become his main interest through his school years.

    I asked him to teach me to play some pieces as there was an old beater classical in the flat. He taught me to play Lagrime by Francesca Tarrega (which I can still play now ... sort of) ... but then out of nowhere, one drunken night he just sat down and played this:



    I was blown away! I still love this piece and always get nostalgic flashbacks to those happy days.

    I think you should just embrace it and enjoy it as long as you can ... it'll just add to your repertoire and your enjoyment of music. It's also a genuine challenge :+1: 
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  • WafflesOnHorsebackWafflesOnHorseback Frets: 250
    edited January 9
    Lagrima is a classic! One of the greats.
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  • SupportactSupportact Frets: 1548
    Thanks @WafflesOnHorseback - that sounds intense!
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  • Col_DeckerCol_Decker Frets: 2275
    edited January 9
    Some really interesting posts on here cheers guys. So I went to the music shop and there were no 2nd classicals to be seen, in fact only 2 classical guitars in the shop, both of the same model. So naturally I had one lol.

    Nothing fancy, it's an Ortega student starter pack: guitar, spare strings, clip on tuner, tools, stand, strap, and the worst gig bag I've ever seen. But to be fair the guitar plays nice and sounds right to my ears. Think it's 3/4 sized. Certainly good enough to get me going.

    It also came with some plectrums which was unexpected. 

    For all your Oasis Tribute band needs: https://www.facebook.com/SupernovaOasisTribute

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  • stufisherstufisher Frets: 1079
    Nail management is another consideration if you are going to embrace the experience ... I've always found that a challenge :anguished: 
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  • TheBigDipperTheBigDipper Frets: 5232
    stufisher said:
    <snip>



    I was blown away! I still love this piece and always get nostalgic flashbacks to those happy days.

    I think you should just embrace it and enjoy it as long as you can ... it'll just add to your repertoire and your enjoyment of music. It's also a genuine challenge :+1: 
    Oooh. That's what I call lovely room reverb.... 
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  • DannyPDannyP Frets: 1860

    Oooh. That's what I call lovely room reverb.... 
    On my shitty laptop speakers, he's getting a nice edge-of-break-up tone! 

    Great playing, tho!
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  • Col_DeckerCol_Decker Frets: 2275
    edited January 15
    Got my first lesson booked for Thursday with a teacher who lives local. Eeek.

    I also bought a book from Amazon of easy classical pieces and exercises. It's in tab and notation which I thought would be ideal, but I'm using the tab and ignoring the notation which kind of defeats the point tbh. So I'll shelve that untill a later date when my notation reading is better.

    For all your Oasis Tribute band needs: https://www.facebook.com/SupernovaOasisTribute

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  • Col_DeckerCol_Decker Frets: 2275
    Well first lesson done and I didn't die so that was good. Starting right at the beginning of reading music of course so it's single note runs and simple rhythms. So much to take in, but enjoyable. 

    For all your Oasis Tribute band needs: https://www.facebook.com/SupernovaOasisTribute

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  • topdog91topdog91 Frets: 946
    I have an interesting in sight reading (https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/259140/sight-reading-studies-for-steel-string-or-not) and it's one of my 2025 projects. Are you learning to read "real" material or exercises?
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  • Col_DeckerCol_Decker Frets: 2275
    A bit of a mixture tbh. The teacher is using a series of 4 books that are meant for kids but she said are the best to learn from, called 'The Guitarists Way' by Peter Nuttall.
    So far it's simple melodies, ie Londons burning, but the detail and complexity builds through the books. So as well as the notes to play it covers the timing and duration of the notes, and dynamics. 

    For all your Oasis Tribute band needs: https://www.facebook.com/SupernovaOasisTribute

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  • topdog91topdog91 Frets: 946
    A bit of a mixture tbh. The teacher is using a series of 4 books that are meant for kids but she said are the best to learn from, called 'The Guitarists Way' by Peter Nuttall.
    So far it's simple melodies, ie Londons burning, but the detail and complexity builds through the books. So as well as the notes to play it covers the timing and duration of the notes, and dynamics. 
    Cheers, will check those out. Currently working through Music Reading For Guitar (David Oakes). I'm sure it does the job but I find reading quite dry so several options might help keep motivation up.
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