Top Class Posters

Selecting Your First Classical Guitar

First of all I want to make it clear that there is no one correct answer to the question which Classical Guitar should I buy. Like any musical decision the final choice is always going to be a matter of personal choice and opinion, however for better or worse I am going to attempt to give you the benefit of my experiences.

Classical Guitars are all very similar in appearance and size, but there is quite a variation in colors weight and most importantly the width and depth of the neck or fretboard of the various Classical Guitars.

The best starting point is to see if anyone you know plays and to take a look at their guitar and even borrow it if you can to get an idea of what feels right to you. If there is a good music store in your neighborhood go and try some of the instruments to get a feel for them. If you are not confident to play ask the staff to play for you, they usually are prepared to do this. Do not buy the first instrument you see, try several and compare the features you like and dislike about them.

Things to look for are that the face board (immediately behind the strings should be solid wood and not plywood. The neck (fretboard) behind the strings should be a high quality hard wood. If you look inside the guitar through the sound hole you should see even and lightly glued woodwork the workmanship should be neat and tidy. The exterior should be well finished and all surfaces smooth and free of cracks and blemishes. The finish may be high gloss or matte, this is personal preference and the wood finish light or dark again a matter for personal choice.

Choose well as you will probably be playing the same instrument for a good few years and you want to be happy that you made the choice you did.

It is not necessary to buy a very expensive instrument most starter guitars are in the $150 to $300 price range and most of these instruments are well made and quite acceptable to all but the most accomplished players. It is perfectly possible to pay in excess of $3,000 for  a Ramirez or other top quality guitar, but I do not think paying this much is advisable, unless you already play like Julian Bream, John Williams or Andres Segovia.

Once you have decided on the type, color and finish of the guitar you like it is quite a good idea to do some research on the Internet as many of the popular Classical Guitars are available on-line for considerably less than you would have to pay in a quality music store.

I wish you luck in your choice and hope that I have been of assistance in helping you make the right choice.

About the Author

The Author Stephen Parkin is a member of the Wealthy Affiliate University and the co owner, with his wife Shauna La Pierre, of Pine Grove Stable in Nova Scotia Canada. As well as the stable which is run along Classical Dressage Training lines he is interested in Internet Marketing, Photography, Classical Guitar and his two dogs (a border collie and a labrador retriever).

Stephen’s Classical Guitar site is Play Classical Guitar.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the Wealthy Affiliate University is welcome to go to http://www.thedressagehusband.com/wealthyaffiliateblog to register for a free course and see a review.

The Stable website is at http://www.pinegrovestable.com and as well as information about the stable it contains web stores selling books and dvd’s as well as many photographs taken on and around the farm.

The Stable website contains a form for readers to provide comments and Stephen and Shauna welcome any constructive comments from our readers so please feel free to post any feedback there. Thank you.

D’Addario EJ16 Acoustic Guitar Strings Light

The Most Relaxing Classical Music in the Universe $6.99 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed….

The Most Romantic Classical Music in the Universe $5.41 Track Listing 1. Carmen Suite for orchestra No. 1 (assembled by Ernest Guirard): Aragonaise 2. Clair de lune, for orchestra or other arrangement (from “Suite Bergamasque” for piano), L. 75/3 3. The Swan (from “Carnival of the Animals”), original (for 2 pianos & ensemble) and arrangements 4. Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor (“Moonlight”), Op. 27/2: Adagio 5. Recuerdos de la Alhambra, for guitar…

Range Of Light – The Fifth Lake $9.99 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed….

The Flamencos of Cadiz Bay $27.95 This work deals with flamenco music and musicians….

AKG C411L Ultra Light Instrument Mic W/Mini XLR Instrument Mic $139.00 The C 411 condenser acoustic pickup with its tailored frequency response is ideal for acoustic guitar, mandolin, violin and most other stringed instruments. Placing the small ultra-light C 411 on or near the bridge will reproduce a clear and uncolored sound without changing the balance of the instrument. Attaching the C 411 is easy with the included non-marring reusable adhesive compound. The C 41…