Online Guitar Lessons by Los Angeles Guitar Academy's LAGA Online

A skilled classical guitarist conceives of a beautiful tone in his own mind, then tries to duplicate the tone’s elusive quality on the guitar.

In playing the classical guitar, the we use the fingernails to produce the tone, since using the nails generates brilliance and a plethora of tone colors. The nail tone that the finest concert guitarists produce is clear, round, sweet, and ethereal in character. It has no harshness, scratchiness, thumps, or clicks.  This tone can completely enthrall both player and listener. Each and every guitarist should aim for such a magnificent, flawless sound.  Do not be content until the sounds that come from your guitar have that elusive quality that you hear from the best artists in the genre.  Experiment with your tone until you obtain the sound that you so desire.  Remember, even in the top dynamic range, the tone should still be sweet and round.

To produce such a tone, first get a clear concept of an ideal tone in your mind. The best way to get this concept is to listen to one of the gorgeous tones produced by a virtuoso player, either live or recorded.  Listen again and again, each time trying to discern more of the tone’s subtle qualities.  When you have a clear concept of the sound, try to produce the same quality on your guitar.  You will find it easier, because you will have already heard how the tone should sound, from one of the art’s masters.  From a technical perspective, executing the right-hand strokes correctly will also boost the quality of your tone production.  Use both methods to hone your skills in this most important dimension of guitar musicianship.

Since tone quality is so crucial to your development as an artist, make this exercise just as important to your daily routine as practicing scales.  You, too, can take your musicianship to the next level by careful attention to tone production.

Feel free to visit LA Guitar Academy's website for professional guitar lessons in the Los Angeles area, or go to LAGA Online's home page to take online guitar lessons from the LAGA Faculty.