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Location: Warren,Pa. | I'm connecting with a 17 year old this week at his parents' request. He's outstripped 4 guitar teachers in 3 years...each one taking him as far as they could. He was encouraged by his last teacher to learn to read music.
A classical guitar was suggested for this next plateau, but I suggested that he get a steel string with a wide neck instead (more versatile). What nut width would you suggest for learning to read music?
John <>{ |
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Location: 6 String Ranch | They are unrelated.
If he loves guitar let him keep going, don't start this "classical" stuff, you just might kill it altogether. |
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Location: Cicero, NY | I'd agree with Beal. A classical got me out of the blocks and got me where I am today.
Well, on second thought... |
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Location: Utah | He's outstripped 4 guitar teachers in 3 years...each one taking him as far as they could. He was encouraged by his last teacher to learn to read music. Learning to read music was, uh, like part of lesson #1. At least back in the day. Three years and doesn't read music? That says something about somebody, either the student or the teachers.
Personally, I don't think more equipment is what this kid needs. |
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Posts: 1421
Location: Orange County, California | Originally posted by bauerhillboy:
What nut width would you suggest for learning to read music?
What ever is most comfortable to play. I think 1 3/4 is the "standard". 1 13/126 is wider 1 7/8" is really wide. 1 11/16 too skinny for me. |
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Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | On a classical you'll want 1.75 or wider.
On an acoustic you'll want 1 11/16 or wider.
On an electric you'll want 1 5/8 or wider.
There is no correlation between width and reading music. The standard ovation neck is 1 11/16 and is a very common size, so get him used to that if he wants an acoustic or an electric. If he wants a classical get a two inch neck. Though I like the 1.75 country artist.
Let us know what he gets. |
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| I'm mystified (my usual condition) - what's wrong with classical guitar? |
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Location: Cicero, NY | Nothing. The way I read it John was just considering pointing him to a steel string as he might find it more common in the future. |
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| I was referring to beal's this "classical" stuff. |
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Location: Warren,Pa. | He's not interested in "classical" anything. I just assumed that if he was gonna learn to read, he'd be playing notes as opposed to chords...so a wider neck would be better for playing individual notes while following sheet music.
But what do I know...I only play chords and strum.
Maybe he'll move toward finger-style playing. They use a wider neck, don't they?
John <>{ |
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Location: East Tennessee | Woody has a folklore up for sale. 1 7/8" nut. |
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Location: Upper Left USA | GGG/Capo Guy/Mike W/? is correct. Message me if you want. |
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Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 1634
Location: Warren,Pa. | He's not interested in "classical" anything. I just assumed that if he was gonna learn to read, he'd be playing notes as opposed to chords...so a wider neck would be better for playing individual notes while following sheet music.
But what do I know...I only play chords and strum.
Maybe he'll move toward finger-style playing. They use a wider neck, don't they?
John <>{ |
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March 2005
Posts: 12750
Location: Boise, Idaho | I do fingerstyle on all different size necks, not very well on any size. I think the only reason a wider neck is easier is if you have bigger hands or fingers. I often use barre chords on finger picking songs and it is much easier to barre a narrower neck with a radius on the fretboard. It's toughest on a flat 2" classical neck.
It's also difficult to switch back and forth, since the string spacing and feel of the neck is different. If he likes the guitar he has with a regular neck, let him stay with it. Chords are just combinations of notes, so it shouldn't make a difference if he is trying to learn the notes. I wish I had learned to play the notes. |
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Location: Seoul, Korea | John: I started out playing classical guitar and have short, stubby fingers. It is a challenge to do barre chords with wide neck as well as learning to stretch 1st fret to 5th fret, etc. However, once you master on the wider neck classical guitar, it is a breeze to play on a narrower neck. If you are going to learn to use pick (which I am at the moment), it is definitely easier to play on a narrower neck steel string guitar IMHO. Reading notes or playing single string notes, it does not matter which types of guitar you play. It is more the kind of music you want to play, I think. BTW, my teenage sons tell me it is not sexy to play classical. Guitar Hero rules the day! |
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What neck width?
