Advice and maintenance - Intermediate

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ADVICE AND INTERVIEWS

The Wonderful but Terrible Capo

Fingertips or not fingertips

Buy yourself a metronome!

Tips for Getting in Harmony

Strengthen your fingers

How to Practice

References for inspiration

General maintenance.

To prevent the guitar from suffering from sudden temperature changes, avoid leaving it near heaters, air conditioners, etc. Of course, the least suitable place to leave your guitar for an extended period is the trunk of your car.

When we move from one place to another with a noticeable temperature difference, it is practical to take the guitar out of its case or box and, without touching it, let it adapt to the new temperature.

Glove box maintenance.

The headstock is the only mechanical part of our guitar. Its maintenance is very simple. It just needs to be greased once or twice a year.

To lubricate it, you can use any industrial machine oil.

Tuning fork maintenance.

It's a good idea to moisturize the fingerboard occasionally, but always after cleaning it. There are many oils available for this purpose, which can be easily found in any instrument shop.

The best way to keep our fretboard clean is to always play with clean hands and wipe the strings with a cloth every time we finish playing, thus removing the sweat residue that remains on them and ends up depositing on the fretboard and incidentally, we prolong the life of our strings.

Guitar body maintenance.

The biggest mistake is using furniture cleaners that contain abrasives. Not all products do, but the vast majority do. You can find guitar-specific cleaners that don't contain abrasives at any music store. Even so, one of the most effective methods for cleaning a classical, acoustic, or flamenco guitar with a polyurethane finish is to lightly dampen a chamois cloth with water and wipe it thoroughly.

Do not use these products if the guitar is varnished with nitrocellulose or shellac, as there are specific products for these varnishes and there is not much variety on the market.

If there's a crack in the top, sides, or back, given the complexity of the repair, the best course of action is to avoid taking any risks and bring the guitar to a local luthier or the manufacturer's workshop so they can fix the problem. They have the necessary equipment and experience. A poorly repaired crack can widen over time and ruin your instrument.

Basic advice.

As you can see, it's very easy to keep our guitar in good condition. Avoid sudden changes in temperature and humidity, clean it regularly, and grease the tuning pegs from time to time…

If you are not going to use the guitar for a while or if you are going to transport it by plane, to avoid neck problems caused by excessive tension, loosen the strings until the time you are going to use it.

And don't forget that it's always safer to carry it in a case, even if it's not always the most comfortable option.

Here are a few brands that can help you keep your guitar clean. If you know of any others, we'd be happy to add them:

Rack stand for storing multiple guitars

If you have a nice guitar collection, this rack stand is perfect for you. It can hold up to 10 guitars. Easy to assemble, it's suitable for professional use: concerts, rehearsals, etc.

While the main advantage is being able to accommodate several guitars at once, the rack is logically a bit more expensive.

THE TRIPODION SUPPORT BY DIONISIO AGUADO

It is called a tripodion, tripodísono, tripodion, or even a 'fixator' and was invented in 1836 by the Spanish guitarist Dionisio Aguado, a great virtuoso, composer, and guitar teacher. As such, Aguado is considered one of the most innovative teachers of the 19th century. The most striking feature of the Aguado school is the use of the tripodion; this mechanism, which holds the guitar, allows, according to its creator, the following advantages:

a) When the guitar is isolated, the vibrations and harmonics are clearer.

b) It is recommended for women who do not want to damage their breasts, serves to avoid the support of the resonating chamber.

c) Ensures proper positioning and corrects difficult passages on the guitar.

d) The frets are closer to the mouth, making practice easier.

LISTENING TO THE RECORDINGS REFERENCES FOR INSPIRATION

WHAT TO LISTEN TO?

Everyone who learns an instrument develops their own unique musical taste and inspiration. And since you've decided to learn acoustic guitar, listen again to some of your favorite songs, paying particular attention to the guitarists. Observe the role of the guitar in the music.

both when she plays and when she doesn't. Pay attention to the touch and the sound the musician puts into the music. Does she use a pick, fingerpick, or something else entirely?

Try to identify the chords and rhythms you're learning. You'll hear a lot of them!

In addition to listening to your favorite tunes with fresh ears, try playing music in styles you've never heard before. Seek advice from other guitarists or musicians. And don't limit yourself to just the guitar! Every instrument has something interesting to offer the curious musician.

Here are some acoustic guitarists to listen to during your initial phase:

BRAZILIAN

Guitar solo :

Accompanying guitar :

JAZZ - POP