guitar players would be better if they played classical first?

Question

i think that may work, then they could get into the electric and later start jamming out some DEATH METAL with me!

Answer 1

I'm sorry, but I totally disagree.

I've been playing classical guitar for eighteen years, and while classical guitar does give you excellent technique when it comes to scales, harmonics, arpeggios, trills and other fingerstyle-focussed techniques ... when you learn classical guitar - that's really all you learn to play: classical music. I could no more thrash out some decent sounding metal then fly to the moon.

What you can play is directly linked to what you study and practice. Study Classical and you can play Classical. Practice Metal and you can play Metal. Study Jazz & Blues and you can play Jazz and Blues.

When I try to play blues I'm having to break habits that I've spent the last eighteen years honing. Bending is not a part of traditional classical so you never learn it - whereas playing the blues is almost impossible *without* bending.

Like a lot of guitarists, I was sucked into this "play classical-and you can play anything" idea. But it's not true. If you really wan to play classical and metal - then you need to practice them both equally (and preferably from the very beginning). Because to create truly magnificent music in either style requires mastery of very different techniques. Besides which, even if you master both styles, it's very difficult to separate the 'focus' and 'feel' of the various styles. Your blues can sound very classical and your classical can sound very "bluesy"

The best guitarists in the world (the true legends) generally specialise in one style of music (there are exceptions of course, but they are far less common.) To me, that's really the proof of the pudding.

The only answer here is play what you love and play it with all you've got. Practice it enough and you'l be great at it eventually - and stuff what anyone else thinks you should play.

Hope this helps.

EDIT: All that being said - learning certain classical *exercises and theory* is definitely advantageous to virtually all guitarists - things like how the tendons in your hand and wrist work, and how keeping the first joint in your left hand open to extend your fret-reach. There is also a supurb warm-up routine / book called "Pumping Nylon" which can build hand strength and finger independence like no other work I've ever seen.

So classical guitar exercises can be beneficial. But this is a very distinct thing from studying "classical guitar". Don't confuse classical exercises and pieces with classical guitar as a performance discipline - they are very separate things.

Answer 2

Yes it is widely adviced that guitar players start out playing classical pieces in an acoustic guitar for many reasons. One of the main reasons is for the development of technique and skill. Those who start out playing classical guitar and later switch to electric find it a lot easier than those who start from scratch. Besides the classical guitar is a beautiful instrument that can be superb when mastered.

Answer 3

I'd recommend Guitar Hero 3

Answer 4

Seeing as metal lifts so much from classical, it couldn't hurt. Then again statistical analysis would say you're more likely to end up playing in some artsy band instead. Other Statistics would suggest you're more likely to find a good metal guitarist waiting in line for a liver transplant, then studying classical music.

Answer 5

metalhead,,,congrats fer showin such cultural diverseness,,,,,im workin on a tremelo study of zeps stairway to heaven,,on classical guitar,,,,the slow chromatic scales i play,the relaxed but strong left hand,keeping the thumb at center back of fret board,,,,,and holding right hand poised a bit above the strings teaches economy of movement,control of the instrument,the bach bouree im sure rod stewart and sting know how to do,jeff beck recorded with sabicas the flamenco artist,(back in 70s,,,,figgers,),study with a teach could help you learn note reading,,,,its a slow process of picking out one note at a time,till you grasp the whole piece,,,playing it correctly,,,,,,you'll have an advantage in general music knowledge,repertoire,and technique in 2 styles

Answer 6

If you want my idea I can tell you:YES!
Because the classical songs are difficult and if you learn the difficult first you can play every thing very well.

Answer 7

No doubt that is a good way to go. But you can't get some guys to play something that is so "uncool" no matter how good it is or how much they will learn from playing it.

Answer 8

Most guitar players, especially pros, will agree with you.
Randy Rhodes comes to mind.

Answer 9

yes