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Guitar
Sizes
Q I’m confused
by guitar names and sizes: 0, 00, classical, auditorium, dreadnought,
etc. How do they compare?
Rys Ord
Florham Park, New Jersey
A The 0s originated
with C.F. Martin and Co. but are now used by many makers to refer
to standardized guitar sizes. They are usually pronounced "oh,"
"double-oh," and "triple-oh," and guitar size increases with the
number of 0s. Martin’s 0 model is 13 1/2 inches wide at the lower
bout, the 00 is 14 5/16 inches wide, and the 000 and OM are 15 inches
wide. A typical classical guitar is comparable in size to a 00,
an auditorium roughly equates to a 000, and all these instruments
are smaller in size than the massive and mighty dreadnought, which
measures 15 5/8 inches at the lower bout. Another popular model
is the Gibson-style jumbo, which measures 17 inches across its lower
bout. There are many variations on these shapes and sizes, including
the grand concert (roughly 00-size) and the small jumbo.
—Teja Gerken
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Lesson
Dependent?
Q
I have taken lessons for two of the three years I have been
playing guitar. How long is too long? I feel like I will stop learning
if I stop taking lessons.
Dallys Hanseen
Lindon, Utah
A Don’t worry
about being too dependent on lessons. If they’re feeding you and
inspiring you, keep going. But if you’re ready for a break (and
many people do go in and out of formal study), do it. In other words,
follow your instincts and interests. Even the best, most evolved
musicians still consider themselves students. Michael Hedges took
voice and guitar lessons throughout his life, and Paul Simon still
studies with jazz fingerstylist Howard Morgen.
—Jeffrey Pepper Rodgers
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Metronome
Methods
Q I bought a metronome.
Now what do I do?
Tom Martin
Darnestown, Maryland
A Many
things, all involving practice. One place to start is to set the
tempo of the metronome for quarter-note speed and simply play along
with the tick-tock of the music clock. You may elect to begin at
a slow speed, but don’t start too slow: many musicians find it more
difficult to match or maintain a slow beat than a faster one. When
you’re comfortably and consistently grooving with the clicks of
your initial setting, gradually increase or decrease the tempo until
you’ve reached the desired speed. This usually involves a slow and
steady progression. Another exercise is to set the metronome to
click only on the "two" and "four" beats. This is popular with jazz
players, as it simulates a drummer’s hi-hat. It can take weeks to
arrive at your destination, but it’s time well spent, and it will
continue to pay off as you practice and progress.
—Teja Gerken
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Left-Hand
Position
Q There are two
ways to position the left hand when playing guitar: the "classical"
technique, with the left thumb on the back of the neck, and the
"folk" technique, where your thumb is wrapped around the top of
the neck. Which position is best?
Jeff Yarnell
Beaverton, Oregon
A There’s
a reason these two ways of playing are associated with different
styles. The "best" way is the way that works best for the style
you’re playing. The "folk" position works quite well for grabbing
root-position chords while accompanying a song. It’s also useful
for fretting bass notes with the thumb when playing chords—a technique
common in folk, pop, and blues styles. But when you play barre chords
or single-note lines in any style, it’s best to keep your left hand
in the "classical" position. This will allow you to move your hand
from position to position much more quickly, whereas the wrapped
thumb will inhibit you from sliding around the neck. In the classical
position, you can also use the thumb as a pivot. The technical demands
of such styles as classical and jazz, where frequent shifts and
finger stretches are common, are easiest met with the thumb in the
classical position.
—Andrew DuBrock
Send Questions, tips, or observations to Acoustic
Guitar’s online discussion forums at www.acousticguitar.com
or write to Dear A.G., Acoustic Guitar, PO Box 767, San Anselmo,
CA 94979-0767.
Excerpted
from
Acoustic Guitar magazine,
January
2002, No. 109.
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