Wasatch Classical Guitar
Students range in age from 3 to 103.   801.815.5041
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Teacher's Thoughts

Ideas to help you coach your young guitarist with inspiration and good humor.

SAA Parent's corner

Purchasing a Classical Guitar

7/23/2014

3 Comments

 
Intonation? Rosewood? Cedar? Spruce? Action? Pegs? String brands? WHAT?! 
How in the world am I supposed to find a good guitar at the right price?  Where's that panic button...I need to push it!

No you don't.  :)  I know local sources for great guitars and I will help you find the right one.. But you still want to be an informed consumer right?

Nobody wants to buy a lemon.  We're all intelligent people here; all we need is a bit of information... so here is a short "Classical Guitar 101".

What to look for:
Nice flat top of solid wood - no  warping.  Although scratches aren't pretty, they won't affect the tone. Solid wood tops sound better where as laminate tops don't vibrate well and don't produce great sound. Solid Cedar Top or Solid Spruce top? It's up to you. What do your ears like?
Hard wood body - it's what'll be sending out the sound.  Mahogany is good.
Strings -  The strings on the guitar at the store will probably be a cheapo set, but luckily changing strings is not a big deal.  Cheap sets stretch out faster and easier and they don't have great tone capability, they may also not have a good feel.  Look for string brands like D'Addario Pro Arte series for better quality sets.
Action - Action is the distance from the string to the neck.  If the guitar has a really high action you're going to have to push really hard to make the notes clean and clear.  If the action is too low the strings will buzz a lot against the frets while you play.
Intonation - This refers to the ability of the strings to sound in tune.  If a guitar isn't made accurately or if it has old or cheap strings the guitar will not be able to be played in tune.
Tuning pegs - Pegs stretch and loosen strings.  If they aren't decent they won't hold the tuning.
Size - Sizing of classical guitars for children is a little on the complicated side.  Every child's build is a bit different and guitar makers kind of do things their own way sometimes.  I will measure your child and find something that's the right size with a little room to grow. ...because children tend to do just that.. grow and grow and grow!

Enjoy the process.  And just know that I will be there to help you every step of the way.
3 Comments

Bringing Beauty to the Home

6/23/2014

0 Comments

 
I remember years ago a father came to one of our parent meetings.  He wasn't the music "coach" but he was there because, he said, "I pay the bills."  During the meeting he said he loved it when he could hear his daughter practicing and the music flowed through the house.  "The atmosphere in our home becomes ... beautiful..." 
  
 I know just what he's talking about. 
  
 This morning as I came in from the studio, I could hear Caroline practicing and it was calm and beautiful.  Lately I've been trying to let my children know when I love what they are doing and how I admire their talents. 
I guess if I feel the difference in my home, I should let her know how her music is affecting us all for the good. 

Isn't it motivating to know that you can make a positive difference in the world?  How many children feel powerless?  They have to wait to grow up before they can have much control or feel like they can really contribute to the family or community.  Praise and acknowledgement of a child's musical contribution to the atmosphere in your home could be the encouragement they need to overcome obstacles in attitude toward practicing...    What do you think?
0 Comments

    Mark Alger

    In my many years of teaching I've worked with all sorts of children and families... including my own.
     
    I'd like to provide some ideas, resources, articles, advice and good humor to help music parents persevere. 

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