Quick background: One of the styles of guitar with the longest history (second-oldest, only behind folk/traditional music), classical guitar is basically the answer to the question, "What style of guitar playing sounds most like classical music?". In fact, it's pretty common to see guitarists playing pieces by Bach or Beethoven, and many other big names from older styles of music.
Who should learn to play classical guitar? If you are ready to dedicate the greater part of your waking life to playing guitar, you could do worse than playing classical guitar. Playing in this style requires significant dexterity, coordination, and musicianship. You can't just skate by with an attitude like you might with rock or punk music! And improvisation (like what you'd see in jazz or the blues) is generally not done either. Be prepared for longs hours of practice and spending many days, months, and even years on some pieces of music!
What makes classical guitar unique? This is the style of guitar that perhaps most easily accompanies itself. You don't need to sing, and you don't need a bass, drums, a piano, or any other instrument playing behind you (although such things do happen and can sound great).
Also, virtually everything in classical guitar involves finger-picking, so this often gives the music a very distinct (and beautiful) sound.
Popular classical guitarists: Julian Bream, Andre Segovia (bear in mind these are performers, not artists, but looking up their work will give you an idea of what music you might find in classical guitar).
How to play classical guitar: Admittedly, I have very little experience with classical guitar and would by no means consider my knowledge about the subject to be comprehensive. However, I can make some recommendations based on what I do know.
First, the greatest living classical guitar teacher (and perhaps guitar teacher in general) that I know of is Jamie Andreas. Read Jamie's books, take lessons if you can. You're not likely to find a better teacher of classical guitar.
Jamie's website is: http://guitarprinciples.com/
What makes classical guitar unique? This is the style of guitar that perhaps most easily accompanies itself. You don't need to sing, and you don't need a bass, drums, a piano, or any other instrument playing behind you (although such things do happen and can sound great).
Also, virtually everything in classical guitar involves finger-picking, so this often gives the music a very distinct (and beautiful) sound.
Popular classical guitarists: Julian Bream, Andre Segovia (bear in mind these are performers, not artists, but looking up their work will give you an idea of what music you might find in classical guitar).
How to play classical guitar: Admittedly, I have very little experience with classical guitar and would by no means consider my knowledge about the subject to be comprehensive. However, I can make some recommendations based on what I do know.
First, the greatest living classical guitar teacher (and perhaps guitar teacher in general) that I know of is Jamie Andreas. Read Jamie's books, take lessons if you can. You're not likely to find a better teacher of classical guitar.
Jamie's website is: http://guitarprinciples.com/
I'll also include some basic info here (soon!) so you can get an idea of what you're dealing with when playing classical guitar. For now, check out Jamie's site!
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