FUQ (eff -yu - cue) - FAQ's with an EDGE

Tagged As: Left Handed Jackson Guitar

Question:
I have played steel string acoustic for a year and electric for a while but I just got a classical guitar for variety. What differences should I expect in playing due to the differences in the way the guitar is made? I'm not talking about how is classical music different so much as what differences I can expect if I play songs that I'm used to playing on the steel string on my new nylon string guitar (popular music, rock,folk, etc). I've noticed that I seem to get buzzing when I play certain chords where as I never got that on any of my other guitars. I don't know if it is the set up or simply because the neck is wider and when I barre chords I may not be applying enough pressure. This isn't a cheap guitar ($1,000) and it does sound good. I think it's just me getting used to something new. I will learn some actual classical music also but for now I was just wondering if anyone who made the switch from steel to nylon could give me some tips.

Answer:
Without actually watching you play or looking at your guitar, it's difficult to figure out what you're doing wrong My son has an affinity for Jackson guitars and Marshall stacks. Here are a few observations I've noticed watching him when he picks up my CG and proceeds to frustrate himself. 1. Chuck the pick... 2. Keep your thumb behind the neck.It's not a baseball bat. 3. Your left hand fingers on the strings will have to be more vertical. Note the strings on your fingertips. 4. Get your fingers as close to the frets as possible, barre chords too. You need to be as accurate as possible with your finger placement on the fingerboard. 5. Learn to sit with the instrument properly. The best thing is to find a good CG teacher in your area to get you off on the right foot. Bad habits are harder to unlearn than cultivating correct new ones..If there isn't a teacher available, pick up a couple of decent CG method books..Shearer, Noad, Tennant or Ryan. Any of the books by these authors should help you out.