Hi everyone,

After watching Lisa-guitar's lovely videos on Youtube I have suddenly been inspired to learn to play the classical guitar! I never considered playing the guitar before as it has 6 strings and is tuned differently to the violin, but well - I think I'd struggle with learning it, but that's OK. It's something I could just plod along with and pick up a chord here and there and hopefully eventually I'd be able to play a few tunes! Also, it would help me to learn about chords in general, which would be very handy.

I think classical guitar sounds so beautiful but sadly it doesn't seem very popular as most kids would rather play electric guitar. My boyfriend has about ten guitars, including two acoustic guitars, but they are too big for me to get my hands around the neck properly - such a shame as they are lovely guitars.

Soooo....please could anyone recommend a relatively cheap, small-sized guitar for me? :-)

Thanks!

Getting you fingers too strech around the neck can be hard at first, are you sure this is something you really can't do, or is it just something your finding differcult, as it can be hard at first. If it is just too big, then what you want to be looking for is a 3/4 length guitar, instead of a 4/4.

When it come to recommending cheap guitar it's hard to say. Classical guitar range in price, I just looked 3/4 on Dawsons' website and found a 'Jose Ferrer' classical guitar costing just £30 ...but the quailty of a guitar this cheap and the tone it produces will probably be of quiet poor, though I've never heard of the make before.

May I ask what sort of price range your thinking of?

I would advise you to go to your local music store, which sells guitars, and ask to try out a a 3/4 length see if it feels more comfortable -it should do. If it doesn't you need to be looking at 1/2 length guitars, which are even smaller than 3/4 length...though I guess that is obvious! The guitar I have now is a yamaha, they usually make good guitars, and though mine is somewhat expensive they do make cheaper versions.

Hope this helps...keep us all posted on how you get on. Good Luck!

Hi Lisa! Thanks for your reply. The guitars my boyfriend has really are too big I think, but I'll keep trying to see if it gets any easier. I found some lessons on the web so now I know how to play C and E major chords I'll go down Charing Cross Road at the weekend and try some guitars out. I could go up to £100 for a new one I guess (or get one from Ebay!).

Great, it sounds as if you're making good progress, learning chords already!
For a £100 or slightly less you should be able to get a decent guitar, with a nice tone. Guitars aren't like violins, you can get far more for you money with a guitar than violin. with violin your looking a over £100 for a decent one. All you can really do is try the guitars in your price range in the music shop, and just see which one you prefare!

I'm not sure what you're supposed to begin with Lisa, but found a website that shows you what the chords are :-)

I think I've been holding the guitar wrong, which made it seem difficult to reach the notes....I have been holding my wrist away from the neck of the instrument, as you do with violin/viola.....is that wrong? I can reach all the strings comfortably if I flatten my wrist against the neck instead.

No, your wrist should not be tilted as it is when you play violin or viola. Instead, your wrist and arm, should fall straight and your wrist should be flatten as you said - it should never bend out in front of the neck, always keep you wrist in line with the neck...this isn't too hard as it is the most natural way to hold the guitar. Another thing to remember as with violin, and I assume viola, is never play with your thumb over the neck...I know it's alot to take in, but your thumb should rest on the back of the neck, as this frees you hand and allows more movement and your fingers to strectch easier. Next time you practise try taking up this new hand shape.

Chords are definatly what you should be starting with and then scales, your going in the right direction! Another useful thing to do before you begin, is you play the open strings and tell yourself what note each string is tunned to, I did this when I began to help myself remember, sounds silly but it worked.

Admira, Yamaha if you're a beginner and don't want to pay too much

I'll second that.. Get one with a solid top.
Go to the shop, pick them up and have a play with each one you fancy. Take someone with you who can play a bit and listen to the tone of each. Don't be tempted to mail order and find when it arrives it doesn't suit you.

Son Viohazard began with an Aria "Pepe" Spanish-made classical guitar, which has a solid top. If you find that a full-size is a bit big for you, I can recommend the 580mm Pepe. There are also Chinese made Pepes, but I haven't seen any so can't comment.

He borrowed a few cheapie rentals for practice during holidays in NZ, and they were not as good.

I third all of what has been said here