Archive for the ‘Stringed Instruments’ Category

The flamenco guitar

Sunday, December 18th, 2011

I have always believed that everyone requires at least one major stress buster. In my case, as a change from writing about topics such as the best autoresponder, I write about music and food. Here is one of my occasional music blogs.

Flamenco guitars are traditionally made out of wood with sycamore or rosewood being used for the back and sides while the top is made of spruce. This accounts for the distinctive color and also makes Flamenco guitars lighter than classical guitars. Volume is very important for flamenco guitarists so that they can be heard over the sound of the shoes with nails that are worn by flamenco dancers. Often to obtain increased volume, hard woods are used to make the back and sides with softer wood being used for the top.

Unlike classical guitars, a Flamenco guitar has a plastic plate which protects the body of the guitar from the constant tapping of the fingers which is essential to flamenco technique. However, in due course, a guitar that is frequently used sustains damage to the top. The space between the strings and the fingerboard is lower than that of a classical guitar. As a result, the Flamenco guitarists can achieve greater finger speed with less fatigue.

A high quality Flamenco guitar has a quick response with less sustain than a classical guitar. This helps the guitarists to produce a quick cascade of notes with a degree of clarity that may not always be available on a classical guitar. Musicians like the percussive and bright sound of the Flamenco guitar and it is sometimes used by guitarists will perform jazz and Latin music. Some musicians also believe that the guitar is best suited for performing Baroque and Renaissance classical music.

Flamenco guitar playing techniques differ considerably from classical guitar. For instance, Flamenco guitarists cross their legs and hold the guitar parallel to the floor. This helps in their playing techniques because the guitar supports the right arm at the elbow rather than the forearm.



Tips On Buying A Violin

Tuesday, December 6th, 2011

I think that stringed instruments are one of the best instruments for the sheer beauty of the sound that can be made form either strumming, plucking or bowing. If you had never seen a stringed instrument it would be hard to convey just what they are and what you can achieve.

So when my daughter said she wanted to learn to play the violin, I was partly excited, and also some what worried. You see I know next to nothing about them, the thought of her getting a sound of a violin, without it sounding like she was strangling the cat was beyond me. But I am a firm believer in encouraging children to have a go at anything they want to, as long as it does not hurt them, but I was worried this might be a pain in my ears.

But now she has been learning for a couple of months, and after the first few weeks of her just plucking the strings, she can now use the bow, and make a tune that I can recognise. At the moment she is learning Jingle Bells for Christmas, and I am so proud.

But the thing is we are now faced with a request to buy one as a Christmas gift, And as I said I don’t know anything about them. So I have had to go for a crash course on buying one.

  • First you have to get the right size, either half, three quarter or full. This is so that the violin can be held comfortably.
  • A good make is essential for a good sound. For this I have looked at the reviews that others have left.
  • The bow is just as important as the violin, so I have chosen a god make, and again gone with good reviews.
  • You will need a robust case for it, which also needs to be lightweight, this will keep it safe when being transported.
  • You need rosin which is used to make the bow move smoothly over the strings.
  • You can choose different styles, and colours, we have gone for a pink one.

So as you can see it is not too difficult, I just hope she continues with her lessons no we have bought a violin.