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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Very comprehensive, informative and helpful
article. Thanks.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Marda</FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT: 10pt arial; BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=data@papermusic.org href="mailto:data@papermusic.org">Data</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=ddots-l@freelists.org
href="mailto:Ddots-L@Freelists. Org">Ddots-L@Freelists. Org</A> ; <A
title=menvi-discuss@menvi.org href="mailto:menvi-discuss@menvi.org">This is
for discussing music and braille literacy</A> ; <A
title=foristnights@comcast.net
href="mailto:foristnights@comcast.net">foristnights@comcast.net</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Monday, December 26, 2011 3:33
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> [Menvi-discuss] Guitars -
Difference In Tone?</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial>Friends,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011> <FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>This post began as a simple response to Annabelle's request
for information on the differences in sound between the nylon string and steel
string guitars. Over the course of the morning, it's turned into a
mini-thesis. So, here we go!</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011> <FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>All of this assumes that the guitar player is right-handed.
No slight (of hand) is intended toward the left-handed.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011> <FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>I found this link on the Internet: <A
href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CS8fpgZbFKA">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CS8fpgZbFKA</A></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011> <FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>In this YouTube video, the instructor (an Estonian guitar
professor) spells out some of the major differences between the two types of
guitar. He starts by finger picking the nylon, then strumming
it, switches to the steel-string strumming then finger picking, and then
back to the nylon again at the end. It's sometimes hard to tell the difference
between a strummed nylon and a strummed steel, but finger picking immediately
reveals many acoustic differences.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011> <FONT color=#0000ff
size=2 face=Arial>The video has words scrolling across the screen while he
plays, so here's the transcript (he starts with visual and structural
differences and then talks about acoustic differences). [My notes are in
brackets.]:</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial>BEGIN TRANSCRIPT</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial>"Acoustic versus classical guitar: What's the
difference?"</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial>(guitarschool.ee, 2011)</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial>Classical headstock has slots, Tuning pegs are vertical to the
head. [Note: By "vertical", he means "perpendicular".]</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial>Acoustic has plain headstock, Tuning pegs are parallel to the
head.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial>Classical nut width is 52 millimeters, String spacing may be
different.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial>Acoustic's nut is 43 millimeters, String spacing is
fixed.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial>Classical tuners have faster "transmission".</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial>Acoustic's machines are more sensitive and
"slower".</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial>Classical strings have plain end, They are attached to the bridge
with a knot.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial>Acoustic's strings have ball end, the balls are fixed by plastic
needles. [Note: These "needles" are also called "pins" or
"bridge-pins".]</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial>Classical fingerboard has no fret dots (cheap guitars may have).
</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial>Acoustic's fretboard has fret dots at third, fifth, seventh, ninth,
and twelfth fret. [Note: Though intended for sighted people, it's helpful
to know that classical guitars often have little fret dots
inlayed on the top of the fret board above the thumb. On steel string
guitars, the fret markers are on the fretboard itself, under the strings, and
are usually made of mother-of-pearl inlays. All of them are single pips except
the twelfth fret, which has two pips to indicate the
octave.]</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial>A
knob to fix your strap: mostly acoustic guitars are played with a strap.
[Note: It is generally considered "proper" technique that
nylon-strings be played while seated, one foot raised on a foot-stand.
The "waist" of the guitar is set upon the raised thigh, lifting the fretboard
at an angle. This does condone better technique, but the Spanish guitar
is nylon-string and I play it with a special strap that does not need
modifications to the instrument. It has a little plastic hook that attaches to
the bottom of the sound hole. The strap then wraps underneath the guitar's
"waist", over my right shoulder and behind my neck to my left shoulder. It's
hard to explain and sometimes even harder to figure out the first few
times. But now I can hardly play without it, it's that
awesome!]</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011><FONT color=#0000ff size=2
face=Arial>Classical has nylon strings, Sound is produced by fingers. [Note:
Again, I've seen Spanish style playing with and without a plectrum. That's the
music geek term for "pick". Can you say "plectrum" five times real fast? And,
what's the plural of "plectrum", "plectri"?]</FONT></SPAN></DIV><FONT
face=Arial><FONT size=2><FONT color=#0000ff>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011>Classical has a soft tone, Even good
instruments are not very loud.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011>Sustain is short, Even good classical
guitar doesn't have a long sound.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011>String action is high, in higher positions
the strings are far from the fretboard.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011>Classical has a percussive sound, the
attack of the sound is specific. [Note: By "specific" he's talking about the
timbre of the tone. There are not as many harmonic overtones as with a
steel-string guitar. Nylon-strings transmit more of the
fundamental.]</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011><FONT
color=#000000></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011>Acoustic has metal strings, Tension of
strings can be two times tougher than classical. [Note: String "toughness" can
be relaxed by using a narrower gauge string-set, but this is at the expense of
acoustic fullness of sound, and also the ability of the instrument to stay in
tune. Using a very narrow gauge string-set may require the use of a locking
nut, which also affects acoustics. Narrow gauge strings require a softer
touch, because pressing down too hard on the string will pull it
sharp.]</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011>Hard tension gives more sustain, Even
cheap guitar like this sounds longer than good classical.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011>Sound is produced with a pick, Normally
the pick is used but you can play with fingers too.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011><FONT
color=#000000></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011>More differences:</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011>Music style: classical plays folk, bossa,
jazz, classical, early music, flamenco, latin, etc. Acoustic plays blues,
folk, rock, jazz, accompanies songs, is used in bands. [Note: These are the
"proper", classic styles, but mixture and fusion can provide very nice
results. I play my nylon-string as a slap-bass sometimes.]</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011>Origin: classical type is much older than
the acoustic but both keep changing all the time.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011>Makers: 100% professional players use hand
made classicals but most of the acoustic pros use mass production. [Note: This
depends on what you mean by "professional".]</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011>Popularity: the interest towards classical
is 1% of all guitar business so it has generally marginal importance but is
popular in certain areas. [Note: Now I think this guy is just guessing. But
he's got a PhD, so what do I know?]</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011>Name: the classical guitar is also
acoustic by construction so some call it the Spanish guitar.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011><FONT
color=#000000></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011>See more at <A
href="http://www.bestguitarmethod.com">www.bestguitarmethod.com</A> and <A
href="http://www.guitarschool.ee">www.guitarschool.ee</A></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011>END TRANSCRIPT</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011><FONT
color=#000000></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011>Other Notable Styles:</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011> Here's a steel-body
resonator guitar with steel strings, played by the legendary Bo Carter: <A
href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mc6QQ0teOxo">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mc6QQ0teOxo</A></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011> Picking styles differ
and they definitely affect the timbre of the instrument. Finger picking styles
include picking with fingernails, with the "pads" (without fingernails), with
artificial fingernails or fingerpicks, and hammering with your fingers, a
pick, dulcimer hammers, or whatever else you can find around the house with
which to abuse your instrument. </SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011> Many strumming
styles can be achieved with or without a pick. Flatpicking
is kind of a cross between strumming and picking, and uses a plectrum to strum
chords while still picking out individual melodic voicings within the chord
(for example, bluegrass). There's also mute strumming and picking, where the
meat of the hand is placed at the "quick of the string" next to the bridge
while playing; this gives the instrument a much more percussive
timbre.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011> In any case, picks tend
to bring out the higher harmonics at the expense of the
fundamental.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011> A
fun technique now called "beat boxing" uses the body of the instrument as
a drum. This is not totally a new thing, but has its roots in flamenco guitar
playing (and many other ethnic styles). These days, this technique has really
started to take off. </SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011> The two-handed
"tapping" style was first made popular by the wonderfully talented and
almost forgotten jazz guitarist Stanley Jordan (first Hollywood appearance:
the movie "Blind Date", 1987, with Bruce Willis and Kim Basinger). Mr.
Jordan is now actively involved in music therapy programs. Here he is on
YouTube, playing "Eleanor Rigby": <A
href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5IcWcinULk">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5IcWcinULk</A> (Notice
his use of martellato--"malleting"--to produce kind of a pitched cowbell
sound.)</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011> Jeff Healy, a
fabulous guitarist and vocalist, plays his guitar flat on his lap. He
frets the chords with the five fingers on the left hand while flat
picking with the right. Blinded by retinoblastoma in infancy,
this style allows him more flexibility and tactile response from the
strings and frets, with the added benefit of five-finger chords. Here's a
YouTube link to his cover of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps": <A
href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xBgHcXsbGk">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xBgHcXsbGk</A> </SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011> Alternately,
many guitarists--me included--use the oft-scorned technique of "hooking
the thumb" over the top of the fret board to fret the lowest string.
(See "thumb plucking".) </SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011> And then there's the
use of alternate string tunings, 12-string guitars, pedal steel
guitars, and playing with metallic or glass slides. But, that opens up a
whole new ball of wax and I'll leave it at that. But, here's Leo Kottke
flatpickinging the 12-string with a slide: <A
href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ma0Fa9t6vh4">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ma0Fa9t6vh4</A></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011>I hope this helps.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011>Sincerely,</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011>Andy English</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=359502518-26122011>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial><A
href="http://www.papermusic.org/">www.papermusic.org</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Music consultation and transcription
services.</FONT></DIV></SPAN></DIV>
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