Classical Guitar On A Steel String?

[joemesser]

Does anyone do it seriously?

[g-nem]

Well - for the classical guitar purists, I am sure someone does but it would be frowned upon. However, lots of guitarists do classical music on steel string - my favorite is pierre bensusans version of handels water music. Sorry, I couldn't find it on youtube

[DC1]

Heard it done in person, on my gear, by George Sakellariou who was the featured guitarist with the San Francisco Symphony back in the 70's.

Sounded like a pipe organ.

Took my breath away

and forever changed my idea of what electric guitar could sound like. To some extent, I have been trying to play like that ever since...

dc

[g-nem]

Originally Posted by DC1

Heard it done in person, on my gear, by George Sakellariou who was the featured guitarist with the San Francisco Symphony back in the 70's.

Sounded like a pipe organ.

Took my breath away

and forever changed my idea of what electric guitar could sound like. To some extent, I have been trying to play like that ever since...

dc

So he was playing on an electric? I haven't heard anyone seriously play classical on an electric, though I suppose it's not too surprising that it's been done.

i feel like I remember hearing about a historical guitar or guitar like instrument that used metal strings - but i could be wrong.

To the OP, what is the source of your interest in steel string classicals?

[Polynitro]

the wide spacing and flat radius makes it easier to play classical on a nylon string. I prefer the toanz too, check out Willie Nelson shred on his nylon.

[joemesser]

Originally Posted by Polynitro

the wide spacing and flat radius makes it easier to play classical on a nylon string. I prefer the toanz too, check out Willie Nelson shred on his nylon.

Oh dude, Willie is one of my favorite guitar players of all time!!!

[joemesser]

Originally Posted by g-nem

To the OP, what is the source of your interest in steel string classicals?

Thanks for asking, I should have said why to begin with. Basically, I love playing some classical guitar. It's not my main musical interest or anything but I want to continue to develop it because I love it and because I think it informs the rest of my playing as well. I've never had a true classical guitar and have learned and play all the classical stuff on my steel string acoustics. Sometimes I feel like it might be futile though, like the string tension and other physical factors might prevent me from taking it very far. But then I think that working on a classical guitar is going to be so differen't than steel string that they won't really merge, that they'll always be separate. I'd rather be able to bust out everything on one guitar, Tommy Emmanuel style, from ragtime to classical to jazz, bluegrass, etc.

That's basically why I'm wondering if there's anyone out there who has really developed it and taken it to a high level.

I did have a couple classical guitar lessons many years ago. The teacher was young man who was very talented. I met him at a party we threw. He was playing classical on my cheap steel string acoustic and I was blown away. Jeez, he didn't seem to have any problem with it.......

[g-nem]

Originally Posted by joemesser

Thanks for asking, I should have said why to begin with. Basically, I love playing some classical guitar. It's not my main musical interest or anything but I want to continue to develop it because I love it and because I think it informs the rest of my playing as well. I've never had a true classical guitar and have learned and play all the classical stuff on my steel string acoustics. Sometimes I feel like it might be futile though, like the string tension and other physical factors might prevent me from taking it very far. But then I think that working on a classical guitar is going to be so differen't than steel string that they won't really merge, that they'll always be separate. I'd rather be able to bust out everything on one guitar, Tommy Emmanuel style, from ragtime to classical to jazz, bluegrass, etc.

That's basically why I'm wondering if there's anyone out there who has really developed it and taken it to a high level.

I did have a couple classical guitar lessons many years ago. The teacher was young man who was very talented. I met him at a party we threw. He was playing classical on my cheap steel string acoustic and I was blown away. Jeez, he didn't seem to have any problem with it.......

For what you want to do, playing on a steel string is definitely doable. It won't be authentic for classical guitar purists, and they are definitely out there, but 99% of people won't care, and while there are some technical reasons why classical guitars are better for classical music with lots of counterpoint etc, you'd have to be at a pretty high level to run into problems. Also, aren't OM model guitars supposed to have necks similar to classical guitars?

And I always come back to pierre bensusan, if he can play what he plays on steel-string there is no reason why I (theoretically) couldn't.

[DC1]

Originally Posted by g-nem

So he was playing on an electric? I haven't heard anyone seriously play classical on an electric, though I suppose it's not too surprising that it's been done.

Absolutely. Big amp and everything. Rocked my world


dc

[g-nem]

Originally Posted by DC1

Absolutely. Big amp and everything. Rocked my world


dc

Was it anything like this?

[CyberFerret]

Originally Posted by g-nem

So he was playing on an electric? I haven't heard anyone seriously play classical on an electric, though I suppose it's not too surprising that it's been done.

John Williams wen through a phase in the 80's, especially when he was in 'Sky', when he played classical numbers on an electric... (Starts at 01:20 in the video below of Bach's Tocatta):

[dantedayjob]

When I was taking classicl lessons, I didn't have a nylon string guitar... so I used my Les Paul... teacher didn't mind one iota, so there ya go!

[shngn7]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiA1XBXAE6U

[Dizi]

If Bela Fleck can play it on a banjo....

[joemesser]

Originally Posted by shngn7

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiA1XBXAE6U

Thanks for that! That's actually a piece I've worked on, on and off, for years!
One of my favorites. And is one of the reasons I've stuck with the steel/classical approach.