New member 1st post

[Jjes1971]

Greetings classical guitarists from Arizona, this is my first initial post. I’ve never owned a classical guitar and exploring getting into learning about the craft. It seems when I google anything about classical guitar there is always a few hits from the delcamp website so I feel this is the place to be. I hope to pick up a Cordoba C-10 cedar guitar soon if it’s a good choice for a beginner. I feel that spending a little more for a guitar avoids many pitfalls on getting something too cheaply made and suffers in quality. I’m open to having the guitar set up with new strings and adjusted by a luithier to be sure it’s good to go. I must admit that I’ve purchased a few method books and I’m a little overwhelmed on what to start with. Right now I have a Noads classical guitar method, Carcassi guitar method (Fischer edition), Christopher Parkening guitar method, and finally Sagreras guitar lessons books 1-3 in single volume. Also a while back I bought Making Master Guitars book and it was excellent since I can use tools. I’m sure if I’m still passionate about classical guitar playing in ten years from now I would try to build one. However I have to admit that I’m in my mid 40s and hard of hearing in both ears from birth. I’m in the severe range as far as hearing goes. People that have profound hearing loss usually have to use sign language to communicate so I’m fortunate that I do not have to sign. I do very well considering I wear hearing aids. I know my limitations that I probably could not perform guitar very well in a group and I probably would not be able to sing but I imagine I can play solo pieces after working hard enough at it. My goal is to be a respectable classical guitarist that eventually could play intermediate solo pieces. Do we have any members that are hard of hearing with severe hearing loss that are playing a classical guitar? I would like to hear what people think? Thanks

[oski79]

Welcome to Delcamp!

If you haven't already, please take a moment to read this page for a good rundown on how the forum works, rules, history, etc. You have found a great source of classical guitar knowledge, as we have a wide assortment of members, from beginners to performing artists, with a number of fine teachers, historians, and luthiers. So feel free to ask any questions you might have, but consider using the search function first, as many topics have already been discussed at length.

If you participate in other online forums, you might notice that things can occasionally get heated. We work hard to keep that from happening on Delcamp. Please read Mssr. Delcamp’s thoughts on the subject.

Please note that there is a requirement to post an average of once a month. Members not meeting this standard may have their memberships terminated.

Adding your location to your profile is a nice touch. Many of us have made new friends from doing just that.

Again, welcome to the forum!

Regards,

oski79

[Jason Kulas]

Well, this teacher here thinks a C10 is a good choice: https://www.thisisclassicalguitar.com/r ... l-guitars/ I'm not qualified to critique his analysis, so, sounds good to me

>I must admit that I’ve purchased a few method books and I’m a little overwhelmed on what to start with.

Get as far as the initial exercises with each, see which "speaks" to you the most? Some teach things in a different order, and one approach might be frustrating for you, while another would feel just right. Or use several simultaneously, you'll get a very well-rounded approach?

Personally, I like the super-popular Noad. He very quickly gets you playing musical-sounding exercises, which is very motivating. He integrates learning new things, with playing actual "music", which I like. I use it alongside the free classes here, and 1 other book I'm test-driving right now.

After using the Noad for months and falling in love with it, I've looked at other methods (including Sagreras, Yates, etc), and read reviews of others, and considered adding them. I've only added 1 so far (the classes here), and may add another method I'm test-driving now.

If you're interested, there are free Classical lessons here. You can get feedback on your progress from other players. If you take all the courses, it's the equivalent of 6yrs of music school. If you take the optional final exams, apparently it has official status in France, and would count towards your entrance requirements if you were to apply to study music there. The forum for the classes is: viewforum.php?f=41 . The post about registering is: viewtopic.php?f=41&t=54023 . And the FAQ about the course is: viewtopic.php?f=41&t=62687

The classes here don't seem to teach basic music reading, or some basic info about beginner Classical guitar use. You may want to supplement the lessons here with extra reading/explanatory/pictorial material. Like one of your method books. You may also want additional explanatory/instructional videos. I like the free ones at https://www.thisisclassicalguitar.com/lessons/ (includes teaching how to read music in his free book, and detailed demonstration of technique).

[alex]

Hello and welcome to this forum!
The desire to learn is most important!
All the best!
Aleksey

[Vito Simplicio]

Hello Jjes1971,

Welcome to Delcamp!

Glad to see another Arizonian to the forum!

Vito

[astro64]

Welcome. Charles Mokotov posts here. He plays professionally and has hearing loss. You can find his discussion on this by searching the forum for his contributions.