John Williams talks about the Classical guitar Part 2
John Williams talks about the Classical guitar & shows his fingernails!
Duration : 0:2:39
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Your opinion is …
Your opinion is that no nails sounds better than nails. I can respect that, but I think its impossible to project louder without nails than with nails. It’s more or less physically impossible.
It should also be noted that Sor and Tarrega used gut strings, which nails sound harsh on. Once nylon was invented, a much smoother tone, guitarists were “able” to use their nails. Furthermore, you may not like segovia, but you cannot deny his influence in bringing classical guitar to the classical world
Sorry, but there …
Sorry, but there are two misunderstandings: I do not think that the sound of playing without nails is better than playing with nails. Both styles have their pros and cons. But I would bet, many people who say: “nail attack is better, it’s much stronger and clearer” have never listened to a good flesh player. And the second misunderstanding: I love Segovia and his expressiveness, for me he was one of the greatest players. Compared with him JW appears a little bit pale
Let’s settle this.
…
Let’s settle this.
Attack on string:
Only nail = usually faster attack but less tonal depth
Nail and flesh = normal speed of attack, good balance of tone
Only flesh = slower speed of attack, generally warm in tone.
It’s all based on the style and attempted timbre. Segovia and Tarrega chose their styles. Just as a metal guitarist uses a pick and distortion. Neither is better or worse. There is no argument. They provide different sounds. That’s the magic of the guitar!!
Does anyone know …
Does anyone know what piece Segovia is playing in this vid?
Sonatina, by …
Sonatina, by Federico Moreno Torroba.
Callebaro technique …
Callebaro technique… most say that Williams uses this technique which is a little bit different from segovias approach of playing
The classical …
The classical guitar is played with short properly shaped nails.
For me long nails are the worst choice and even if you have good technique the guitar is losing a lot from its mellower tone.
Short nails = the best sound
I’ve also been …
I’ve also been dying to see his nails in any video. I met him once when i was in college and was so starstruck (LOL) that i didn’t even ask about his nails. To me it looks as though he may be using pong either to lengthen or strengthen them. When I studied with David Russell in a masterclass, I did ask him however and he showed me the pong on his nails and also told me that one of the Assad brothers uses a tip constantly because one of his nails has become so thin and brittle over the years.
Well said BenMurrie.
Well said BenMurrie.
@VUandChips Thank …
@VUandChips Thank you VUandChips!!
BenMurrie… you …
BenMurrie… you contradicted yourself and the video. The sound that is produced is not the ‘magic of the guitar’, its all about the style in which you play and the techniques that you use. I can very much tell you that a true master guitarist as Segovia would be able to pull out tremolo/vibrato picking and regular picking at the same rate as a metal head.
There is one major …
There is one major flaw in your argument as well, when using finger picking, the player does not use only 1 finger, he uses all 5 to their maximum capabilities. Now, talk about speed, precision, and sound; there is no competition between traditional playing or new age playing.
Soon enough these …
Soon enough these techniques will be forgotten because of the invention of the pick and its different gauges; simply put, in a couple of years : without a pick the guitar will seize to exist. By the way, I am personally a metal head, and sadly i love traditional playing which I could never possibly master.
i think all of you …
i think all of you with your nail theory suck cock. Play the guitar, it’s great!
Wow, and here I …
Wow, and here I just bite my nails and it still sounds good….
what song is …
what song is Segovia playing?
@potrodsas :….I …
@potrodsas :….I agree with you….the sound without nails is nice and mellow. Difficult to get a good tremelo without practice though….and I still am finding it diffiult to get a good p.m.p. rasguado without nails.
@brookerenwick
…
@brookerenwick
Without nails at all, has more problems.
You losing speed,volume,and command of the sound production.
The guitar becomes sweeter,but not more vibrant -alive.
Some pieces may be played without nails but the majority of repertoire for CG is better with short well shaped nail.
Nail shape and angle of attack are extremely important .
As for practice…eh!..everlasting struggle.
I read Tarrega was practicing his own exercises 3 hours every day before he actually play anything at all.
@BenMurrie what? in …
@BenMurrie what? in spanish guitar, you always have to hit with nail and flesh. always. i f you dont do that, it sounds like crap. this count for classical and for flamenco guitar as well. you can have longer or shorter nails, and hit the string in a variety of forms, but always with the two parts. thats what i think and what i learned.
Good memory…
Good memory…
Nails are …
Nails are definately faster, i.e for the tremolo of Maleguena. The small tip of a petruding nail has less mass to get behind the string before plucking it, whereas the soft rounder end of the finger needs to go some way behind the string before it can pluck it. I do slap and pop on the bass as well though so all my classical practise is with finger tips, no nails. It’s a relief to see here that its feasable (all be it with different merits) to play classical with fingers.
@willy1986tralara I …
@willy1986tralara I see your point, but you’ve fallen into the trap of objectivity. There are no rules stating to play spanish guitar nail and flesh technique is required. In fact, early on in Spanish technique, all nails were used. This was to increase speed and to bring out the pointicello and raw nature of the style. Anyway I’m glad you have opinions on what sounds ‘crap’ – but that does not mean a technique is wrong. I think the best thing is to be open and accepting about technique and tone
Oh yes, it will be …
Oh yes, it will be very good seeing the rest of it … could you?
He was saving the …
He was saving the guitar from the noisy flamenco guitar players? What the hahah i mean i love classical guitar music but wtf
Hey, Tremolo234
…
Hey, Tremolo234
Thanks for posting, it seems like a very good interview, out of the ordinary, with such a beloved Master of the Guitar.
Please, could you post the rest of this Docu?
Otherwise, please, could you mention the source, is it a DVD, a TV Special, etc.?
I really would like to watch the whole program.
Cheers!