if you get stuck when plucking, then there is a problem with the SHAPE of your nails not your length. Consult your teacher.

Question: you said you got basic music knowledge, did you play another instrument? beside reading notes, do you know how to play the notes on guitar? what kind of music training you have before ?
I can suggest you a few books but not before I really know where exactly is your level?

This post has been edited by yeehoo: Dec 4 2010, 01:02 AM

Yes, guitar share the same music notation with violin (but an octave lower), you did not mention whether you know how to play the notes on guitar but I assume you know.

First of all, I strongly suggest you take lesson with a good teacher if you are not planning to do so. despite the pieces in Solo & Accompaniment Guitar Book 1 and Book 2 by J.Png look easy, a good teacher will guide you to train your basic classical guitar technique with that pieces, which mean these easy pieces ARE a good exercise for your technique. The book really did not tell you much about the technique though, people just assume those pieces just for helping student to know the notes.

if you really plan to self taught yourself, and want some challenge, here are the books :

1. ABRSM Scale book (two volume) from grade 1-8.
2. Fernando Sors Complete Studies: from simple etudes with single line melody to advance level studies worth stage performances.
3. M. Carcassi 25 studies for guitar, Op. 60: mostly advance studies

There is also one book which I could not find it anywhere, "Quantum guitar mechanic and strings theory" (excellent title ) by Gary Ryan. I got few free sample pages from the author's website, but seem had been taken down. They are just finger patterns exercises to improve your left hand which I find it very useful. But again, if your have deep understanding of guitar technique, you could come out with your own exercises.

at the end, i still suggest you take lesson to learn it properly.

Btw, if you are in KL and free on 8 Dec 2010 night, please attend this concert: www.cgs.net.my supporting local classical guitarists. Thank you.

This post has been edited by yeehoo: Dec 4 2010, 12:39 PM

You did not take any lesson? it should come with books for beginner.

your thinking is correct 1/2 size, Gut strings is over the top already, just use normal tension nylon strings.

why you need a free guitar? don't you have one ?

Simple, just read more. Anyway , I strongly suggest you pick up classical guitar lessons with good teacher, if you really want to excel in classical field.

Yes, but I know a guitarist who hurt his ring finger then train his pinky to replace it. so unless you got no choice just use ima for plucking.

I have to see the tab before I can advice you the fingering.

I think you refer to the last 2 bar ? play two F octave apart?

Just remember your right hand fingers can move up and down, you can use any fingers to pluck any strings but you need a good sense of judgment to do it properly and effectively.

For you case, just use p and i for these two notes.

Can you read notes? if not I suggest you learn it. did you take any lessons? if not, I strongly suggest you do, it will help you alot especially this elementary problems of yours.

You can try a kind of transparent nail polish called nail strengtheners, which of course, strengthen your nails (check www.opi.com)

or you can try using fake nails (but you have to file it into the shape you want), even professional guitarist use fake nails also sometime it is for emergency purpose (break a nail before concert etc) , or like your daughter case, replace the soft nails they have (example Fabio Zanon , I actually met him in person and he talk about it in master class)

just a quick answer, if you serious with classical guitar, you should have the nails, it make a bigger sound and control the tone.

hmm, you mean black dirt underneath your finger nails? I never had that problem, but you could just use a sharp object to clean it.
The nails should not be too long though, else it is difficult to pluck the stings.

you can try using fake nails.

with glue of course! Once you stick it, you want it to be there for a long time. but you can still peel it of with a little force. I seldom use it, only when my nails is broke and need to perform. I think beautician know more about fake nails than me, you can consult one.

Please check out the "Event" post for information of KTJ International Youth Guitar Festival & Competition 2011.

The prizes is attractive and guest artiste: Nutavut Ratanakarn (Thailand), Simon Cheong (Malaysia), Kuala Lumpur Guitar Ensemble II (Malaysia), and forming of Malaysian Classical Guitar Orchestra!!

Just 1 hr drive from KL (I spend more time in traffic jam in KL ), and it is on Fri-Sun day, please join.

This post has been edited by yeehoo: Mar 15 2011, 08:02 PM

http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/190146/+860#entry40748943

more information can be found in www.cgs.net.my and www.ktj-iygf.blogspot.com

there will be:
-Seminar
-Workshop
-Master Class
-Performance
-Concert
-Special Performance by Guest Artiste
Guest Artistes:
Nutavut Ratanakarn (Thailand)
Simon Cheong (Malaysia)
Kuala Lumpur Guitar Ensemble II (Malaysia)

Special Guest Performance & Forming of Malaysian Classical Guitar Orchestra!!

thank you.

Hello, I and few other members of MCGO (Malaysian Classical Guitar Orchestra) will be on TV3's "Malaysia Hari Ini 2011", 2nd May, 7:15am. We will play just a few ensemble pieces of Malay tunes.

I also informed that, we will be on NTV7 also, on 6 May , also an morning show.

If you are interest, please tune in.

Thank you.

second from your right. I must said we all are abit confuse as no one has been on TV before and recording live on TV is so much different playing on stage. The performance has not up to our normal standard. we hope we can do better on NTV7 tommorrow. (still waiting for confirmation though)

Thanks for watching.