Classical Guitar Lesson #4: Free Stroke

[untoter3]

thankyou thats helped me to play the tremolo!

[WillCerf]

Sir,how long the nails I needed?

[joecold219]

Sir i have a problem with my left thumb ,,its like i cannot give proper leverage to the fingers while i move my fingers along the fret board...its like i cannot arch my thumb it remains straight at the back of the guitar neck.....And yea your a good teacher must say...

[Lutemann]

I'd have to see it.  The left hand is quite forgiving, the right is not.

[chaungocminh]

@Lutemann Thanks very much!

[TheDougdougist]

i know i know i´m a sheet

[TheMexicanstick]

thank you thats was very easy to understand.

[marbeloski]

tines una mala tecnica

[Lutemann]

the critical thing is that the finger must have room to swing, yu cannot choke the stroke.

[taciturnme]

@DaNorthernLight I think classical guitarists usually do grow their nails yes, but if this is inconvenient for you, why not try finger picks? These are picks attached to each one of your fingers, like a nail extension, only they can be removed :)

[dilemmix]

Oh great. But I wish it was in stereo because I have headphones instead of speakers and having all the sound in one ear is annoying!

[visiting31]

@DaNorthernLight: For some techniques (ie tremolo) I think nails would make a world of difference. Also better tone with nails (arguably). Apparently it's required if you plan on studying at higher it at higher levels

[taddy666333]

i cant do it unless my thumb is resting on the string

[englishpro1989]

Didn't learn a thing!

[AirHendrix91]

Electric guitars are cool and I love nylon strings but I have the thick necks of classical guitars. I wish there was a way I could blend my bro's cheap Ibanez electric guitar with the strings of my classical guitar.

I've been saving for an electric guitar for quite some time. I used to play my sister's acoustic steel string for a little bit but the action is HORRIBLE.

Wish there was a better way lol.

[alsayed20]

whats an easier guitar for a beggener to start with a classic guitar,or a classic one?

[AirHendrix91]

If you have the money, I would get an electric guitar with a strap, and a bar stool to play classically.

So much more easier and plus you can incorporate classical technique into your playing, change the sound you want, etc.

With just a classical guitar, you get the nice soft sounds but you can't change it up every once in a while. That's why I'm saving for an electric guitar :).

[SetTheCurve]

I think u mean:

What's an easier guitar for a beginner to start with: a classical guitar, or a steel string?

My answer:

The classical is "easier" to start with. The softer nylon strings and the wide string spacing make it easier for people to sound better with a poor technique. The strings of a classical are also easier on a beginners finger tips.

I say choose the guitar based on the music u like, the guitar you are likely to end up playing the most. Starting with light strings is also good.

[AirHendrix91]

How much is a guitar stool that I can use to play my classical guitar?

And what is the little stand that you put on the bottom of the classical guitar so you can play it easily as a beginner.

For some reason a triangle shape of this stand is coming to mind. Let me know what this is. My mom told me about that when she was looking at various guitar lesson vids (especially the classical guitar related ones) but she can't remember the name of the device.

[MohamedTheWise]

plz can u tell me which part of the finger tip of the right hand do we play? plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz cause i am pretty confused

[Lutemann]

I hit perpendicular to the string with 'a' finger and slightly to the left side of 'i' and 'm'. There is some leeway here.

[RaisinAznJason]

@Lutemann

This style of playing, classical guitar...seems like a very strict style of playing the guitar

is it necessary to blindly follow everything from, the angle of the hand from the strings to from holding ur right hand slightly to the left or slightly to the right?

Can i js do watever is comfortable as long as i still achieve the same thing in the long run?

(im self taught)

[SarkoHamaAmin]

i have a question if u answered i will b so greatful: how i play theses chords on classical guitar Dm,A,C i mean the position and strumming of the right hand not the left.. iam waiting for ur answer plz

[JPMNRB]

seriously i dont get thiss at all

[Lutemann]

All I'm saying is that the finger must be put in a position so that it can swing from the two larger joints without inhibition.

[tetomapa]

speaking of destroyed hand, my left hand is destroyed too. i played the steel string guitar - with the thumb protruding above the fretboard - for a very long time bfore i took up the spanish guitar. i think that's the main reason behind it. sometimes i feel like literally crying n letting out all my frustration. somebody help me plzzzzz!! (there r no flamenco/classical guitarists in this part of the world)

[happygolucky2000]

when demonstrating right hand technique pplease please do not use your left hand. thanks

[thighmister]

I am no musician, just a guitar-clown, and this makes me feel like a cave-man who has been shown the science behind what he thought was magic. I am completely blown away.

I had no idea that these techniques had been codified so thoroughly. Like ballet!

I think everyone should see this, so that they can have an idea of the power of technique, and the precision it requires-- so that they can see how methodical it is possible to be, even when facing really hard tasks.

[Bgpeychoff]

this really helps,

because i sometimes pull the strings.

You can thank Slap funk on the bass for that

[Guitarwizard]

your vids are the best on the net. i really would love to hear you play a piece. Your technique is so satisfying to watch. I'd love to hear it in action on a nice piece. Thanks so much for these wonderful lessons!!!

[Lutemann]

I hardly play anymore. I have a pretty much destroyed right hand. The reason I seem to know a lot about technique is that I have spent years trying to find out why my right hand won't work and yet my students are quite successful. It turns out that practicing six hours a day on material that was too difficult for me beat all the natural coordination out of my right hand. Now I'm too old to fix it.

[Guitarwizard]

It seems so crazy to hear you say you've beat up your right hand. In the vids, it looks so perfect. Im so sorry to hear that. Still, i think you're very skilled, and i get so much out of your videos. Thank you for taking the time. They really help so many people.

[Lutemann]

You want to be able to swing the fingers freely from the middle and knuckle joints so they don't hit the next lower string. Think of the finger like a baseball bat. You wouldn't want to choke the swing.

[cutevil]

I need an advice. I have nails (not long, just a little bit). And when I try to do the free stroke exactly like in your video, sometime it seem like the nail get stuck at the string, so it won't go smoothly through.

Is it normal at first and will be better when I get more accuracy? Or something is wrong with my hand position? (again my nail just stick out a little bit so it's not the nail's fault)

Thanks

[Lutemann]

This tough to answer without seeing what you are doing. It may be nail shape that is holding you back. There must be a Shearer school teacher near where you live.

[cutevil]

I figured out that when I let my fingers approach the strings a bit slanted (instead of perpendicular), it would go much smoother through. But is it the right way to do it?

I really appreciate your video because really a private teacher is way to expensive for me T.T

[crawnwax]

the finger should slide across the string and use the nail like a ramp

[Lutemann]

This is what Segovia said, I believe. If the finger were to slide along the string, it would take more time and would cut down on speed quite a bit. As far a ramping the nails, this works for some and not for others. Scott Tennant used to recommend this, but he doesn't ramp his nails now.

[cutevil]

Thanks. I already try that way. I was just not sure if it is the right way to do, because I don't want bad habit.

And beside it's easier with nylon string. When I try finger style on steel string it would make annoying scratching noise on G string, and the chance my nail got stuck is mostly on steel string when I try to avoid that noise.

[Lutemann]

I have never had a student that I didn't have to remediate almost completely. Usually this process is rewarding since the student quickly hears improvements in tone and fluency. You may lose a few steudents doing this, but it's better than cheating them out of their money.

[guidovg]

I didn't say that to him. My point was (and is) that if one is struggling to get through a piece than the ultimate intention of a piece (which is to say, the composers intent) is lost. Technique is a means to an end. For completely gratifying musical communication, there simply cannot be any technical issue...no one wants to hear someone who sounds like they are "trying" to get through a piece. It's distracting,and I feel misses musical opportunity.

[picksell]

Its the guy from the first jerastic park

[sparetimevideomaker]

i personally think it is easier to use your top knuckle more than your bottom knuckle.

[Lutemann]

It's not about what is easier or harder. In every good technique I've observed, there seems to be about the same amount of flexion from both joints. You need to find the coordination that works best. If you can alternate free stroke on one string at 140 mm (four notes to the click) without fatigue, then you have found that coodination.

[IMattchewB]

Does anyone if this is the technique Vai uses to play the beginning of his solo, Eugene's Trick Bag, the acoustic version, which is featured in the movie Crossroads? Scales are what I'm referring to here, and Vai plays them so smoothly. Thanks.

[aks73]

I have that exact problem you mention at the end of this video..how do i correct this?Am trying very hard to follow the advice here but my fingers just won't be re-trained!!Help??

[Lutemann]

You can re-train, but you need to find a knowledgable teacher.

[guidovg]

I agree! And one needs to be open to going back to basics...or be "teachable". I just mention this as I just received a new student today who has played for some years. He brought in all these pieces that are somewhat beyond him. He managed to get through them but there was no "music" in any of it. I suggested "Lagrima" for starters...don't think I'll see him back. ;-(

[alimacdee]

Very good demonstration, I have found this very helpful, I wish my teacher had clearly pointed this stuff out! all those years ago, I have been struggling with a right hand issue for a long while now, I do believe I have it sorted now! (gee this sounds familiar)!

[trescanovich]

good stuff. it's stupidly hard to find correct, clear and useful basic guitar concepts. expositions as good as these shouldn't be rare, but they are, so well done Kent, and to anyone watching, yes this is how it should be done and with careful attention and practice getting good at classical guitar is now easier than ever.

[crescentridge]

Thank You. I am a pro guitarist and teacher, and for years I studied with a great lutenist....digested most of what you are saying here, but now it is just a feeling in my hands. I forgot as a teacher how to articulate it to a student since I have done more playing than teaching in the past few years. Thank you for reminding me how to teach technique properly, and for the refresher course! Bravo!!!

[Lutemann]

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I plan a couple more videos on achieving right hand finger independence and pehaps a few on dampening techniques.

[jmc8197]

Good. Most people who don't have the luxury of a proper classical guitar teacher use the first joint to execute the free stroke and so never manage to get the required speed

[davidrchapdelaine]

thanks for posting this.

[Lutemann]

What I meant to say in the last reply was this: "What is SUPOSED to happen is that you flex the finger and then you release it to let it return on it's own."

[goodwill559]

At around 00:49 you say, "...or you'll have to choke it."

What does this mean?

[Lutemann]

It means you have to use the extensor muscles to stop the finger from hitting the next lower string.  What happens is that you flex the finger and then you release it to let it return on it's own.

[Lutemann]

Here's what I meant to say.

"Choking" means that you have to use the extensor muscles to stop the finger from hitting the next lower string. What happens is that you flex the finger and then you release it to let it return on it's own.

[loborui]

Thanks for the effective way you have demonstrated rest and free strokes. I have been playing guitar for the last 15 years and have started reworking the two strokes, hoping to be able to mix them in a fast passage.

[absurdplanet]

Coming from a former guitar teacher and professional musician, I think theses lessons are just outstanding for the beginning musician or a player starting on nylon string guitar in the classical style. Mr. Luteman is doing the world a great service by providing these videos and demonstrating proper technique; therefore, neophyte students begin with a solid foundation and do not practice mistakes that will burden them later on. Good job Sir!

[Lutemann]

Well thank you.

[jeffreymallen]

Your lessons are clear, concise and highly effective. I have struggled with the right hand for many years.

The relax, lift and thumb placement gesture fantastic.

[senorberns]

Wow are you a math professor?

[Lutemann]

I'm a high school math teacher turned college instructor.

[herrlenin]

Which kind of stroke is the one that is used in flamenco to do fast scales , really fast ones?

[Lutemann]

Those are rest strokes. they are generally more powerful and faster than free strokes because the rest string stops the natural follow through and more of the stroke can done on the extension phase.

[guitar0707]

nice video!

[Timmy2384]

Thank you for the video too lol

[Timmy2384]

Anyone else think he looks like hammond from Jurassic park?

[DelayLoy]

Thank you very much sir.You are a great teacher.