How to Play Classical Guitar for Beginners? – Easy Tips and Tricks

Classical guitar is one of the most popular guitars that beginners prefer. I mean, they are surely interested in them once they start. If you’re somewhat like that, then obviously you’d want to know how to play classical guitar. Today you are going to read complete our How to Play Classical Guitar for Beginners? – Easy Tips and Tricks in 2022

Classical music and guitars are a very rigid form of art and instruments. There may be many processes established by the guitar communities on how to play classical guitar in a setting that screams out a classic in it.

However, if you really want to know the process by which you can play classical guitar, you should first learn how it works, its anatomy, the positioning of your body while playing the classical guitar while understanding them well.

Learning classical guitars apparently takes more time to learn, just like the acoustic guitars. So, the comfort, patience, and long-term health of your practices should be your goals when you start learning to play classical guitar.

Intro on Classical Guitars

Classical guitars are very much similar to acoustic ones. Though obvious by its name, you can use it to play classical music. And let me tell you one thing, if you can play a classical music piece with a classical guitar, you can play music from any genre with it. And also, it’ll give you an upper hand in other guitar types as this guitar type is one of the hardest to master.

Classical Music

Classical music is the most authentic genre of music out there. This music was composed by musicians of the Baroque and Renaissance era. It mainly focuses on harmony and rhythmic melodies. Classical music is more about the balance, elegance, and beauty of music which gets enhanced much more when the elements get contrasting and varied.

Classical Guitar

Classical guitars are nylon-stringed acoustic guitar versions. You may also know it as a Spanish guitar. They’re very popular to play classical music with. Catgut-made strings are also available in the market as a variety of classical guitar families.

Expert guide How to Play Classical Guitar for Beginners?

Classical guitars need to be played following a definite system. I’m going to explain all those steps properly so that even if you’re a beginner, you can follow them perfectly as it is.

Step 1:  Learn Simple Scales and Chords

How to Play Classical Guitar? As you’ve already known from reading this article up until now that the strings are a bit different in classical guitars than average guitars. These guitars use nylon strings for low-pitched chords such as G, B, and E. Moreover, you can also observe that for high-pitched chords, there are soft steel strings.

You can play the chords and scales in the exact same manner that you used to play it on other guitar types. However, even though the process for playing the chords and scales is the same, they sound way different than the other guitars.

Step 2: Strum Accurately

How to Play Classical Guitar? There is a definite way for strumming on a classical guitar. Use your thumb to play the E, A, and D strings. These strings are the thickest and the closest in position from the top. So, it’s easier to play with the thumb rather than any other finger.

Then, use your index finger to play the G string, B string with the middle finger, and use your ring finger to play the final strings which are closest to the ground position. Playing the strings with the thumb and other fingers simultaneously will give you a proper strumming tune. Moreover, you can also select which strings to strum depending on the type of music you’re playing.

Just keep one thing in mind that strumming open chords mean that you must not press your hand on the strings no matter which it might be.

Step 3: Denote Each Finger with a Specific Number

You can play the chords easily from the notes if you denote each one of your fingers with a specific number. For example, the G major scale is played by the index finger which, in guitar notes, is represented as the first finger.

The G key starts with the third fret. You’ll observe that every string within the second fret can be used by the first finger, and strings within the third fret use the second finger, the third finger extends up to the strings of the fourth fret, and last but not the least, you have to use the pinky finger to strum the chords of the fifth fret. If this is your first time visiting ToolGuyd, here are a few areas you might want to explore first: SKHomeTools Front Page (Here you’ll find all recent posts and stories.)

Step 4: Number the Strings while Learning Chords

How to Play Classical Guitar? It might be easier for you to learn the chords if you name each string with a number starting from the smallest string which is closest to your feet. Starting from one, count up to six which denotes the thickest string on the guitar.

Step 5: Learn the A chord on the Guitar

To play the A chord, you have to use your first three fingers of your left hand. At first, place your third finger on the 2^nd string, 2^nd fret. Then place your 2^nd finger on the 3^rd string. This time it’s also the 2^nd fret. Finally, press your first finger on the 2^nd fret of the 4^th string. Lastly, use your thumb of the right hand and play the fifth string. Thus, your chord is done.

Step 6: The E Chord

How to Play Classical Guitar for beginners easy 6 tips? The E chord is another important chord to play in a classical guitar. It uses your three left fingers to play. At first, you need to place your first finger on the first fret of the third string. Then place your second finger on the second fret of the fourth string. Lastly, strum all the strings with your thumb of your other hand and finally produce the E chord in a classical guitar.

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Some Tips about Body Posture

No matter what instrument you want to play, you always need to pay closer attention to your body posture. Depending on this, the chords you play may sound differently. There are few things you could follow while playing a classical guitar.

Also, don’t forget to check my guitar guide article How to Play Guitar for Beginners-an Easy 8 Step for beginners here and Best Electric Guitar Book For Beginners in 2021 – A Quick and Easy Introduction and Ashthorpe Acoustic-Electric Guitar – One of the Best Electric Guitars review New Edition 2021 and Pros And Cons Of Acoustic And Electric Guitar– Do You Need One? plz read the.

Tips on how you can Position your Body while playing a Classical Guitar:

1. Pay attention to the structure of the chair you’re sitting on. You need to select a comfortable chair because if you don’t, you’ll not be able to play the chords properly for a long time. Moreover, chairs having elbow rests with a firm base. Because elbow rests apparently get in the way of playing the guitar if not firm. So, pay close attention to that detail also.
2. Leg position is another factor while playing the guitar. Place your legs in a position that gives you the most comfort. Leg positioning with shoulder width is a common practice among guitarists. However, some guitarists prefer leg stance to be a bit wider. Lastly, no matter what your position might be, comfort should be your number one priority.
3. Your left-hand plays a vital role in playing because you fret with that hand which creates a variety of chords. The left hand is used to fret by the right-handed people, vice versa if you’re a lefty. Position your left hand in such a way that you can get the fretboard with ease. Don’t lean your shoulders forward while fretting.
4. Be relaxed while playing the guitar. Get your posture as comfortable as you can. Keep your health condition in mind to select the posture. You don’t want to choose a position that is comfortable for you now only to create long-term health discomfort in you later.
5. Last but not the least, don’t keep your nails too long. If you’re fretting, then you won’t be able to put your fingers on correct chords properly without slipping the pitch even a little. On the other hand, if you have long nails on your strumming finger, those might cause pain in your whole hand later. Sometimes, the nails might even chip or break from the base of your fingertip. So, be careful about these issues.

Final Words

Playing a classical guitar is as hard as an acoustic guitar, if not more. Because you can even play normal modern songs with an acoustic guitar, whereas it’s not easy with classical guitars. Since you can’t play a variety of songs with a classical guitar, so it might seem fruitless sometimes.

So, don’t get disheartened if you’re having a hard time playing a classical guitar. That’s the exact reason I brought to you this “how to play a classical guitar” instruction guide. It’ll guide you through the basics steps of classical guitar playing till you can pick up your own speed playing your own favorite classical music piece.