The classic six-string guitar is the most popular among all types of guitars. For two centuries, it was she who proved her superiority to the novelties of her family. And all because still not a single guitar has managed to achieve the level of artistic possibilities and timbral coloring that a six-string guitar fully possesses.
Acoustic features
The acoustic features of the guitar are primarily affected by the special structure of the wooden case, invented in the 19th century by the Spanish master and guitarist Antonio Torres. The case serves as an excellent resonator and sound amplifier. The larger the body, the deeper the timbre extracted from the instrument.
Classical guitar strings are now made from nylon. The difference in tones is achieved due to the thickness of the strings, three of which are entwined with metal thread. Less commonly, a six-string guitar is equipped with all- metal strings. Bards and just amateurs can play such an instrument. Professionals are more picky when choosing a guitar.
Artistic features
The versatility of a six-string guitar is unquestionable. The variety of genres in which the sound of the guitar is appropriate is comparable only to the sound of a classical piano. It is difficult to imagine modern music without these kings of the music world.
Who is your six-string guitar associated with? Is it not true that the first to come to mind is a tanned Spaniard, a tourist by the fire, a gypsy camp ... And if you think about it, you can understand that the guitar is the instrument that is accessible to everyone, but only a few achieve true mastery.
The manner of performance, genre coloring and artistic techniques of playing the guitar for each artist have different meanings. If for the Spanish guitarist this is a classic instrument that can be mastered all his life and perfected, taking mastery and virtuosity to the limit, then for a gypsy it is an instrument that brightens up the everyday life of a nomadic life. For a bard - a subject of self-expression, and for a yard boy - a way to please girls.
Whatever the case, the six-string guitar has a special charm that will not leave anyone indifferent.
Build a six-string guitar
In the classic version, the six-string guitar string should present the following parameters, starting with the bottom, the thinnest: mi-si-sol-re-la-mi. In a more familiar lettering for the guitar: EHGDAE.
Tuning a six-string guitar begins with the thinnest string. If the guitarist will play together with a group of musicians playing other instruments, it is advisable to use a tuning fork for tuning. This is necessary to fine-tune the tonality of the performed compositions. But when the guitar is used for private purposes, the need for an exact match of tone weakens. And in some cases, musicians intentionally distort tonal characteristics in accordance with their vocal data.
Six-String Guitar Tuning
Clutching the first string in the fifth fret, you will hear a sound corresponding to the sound “la” or a frequency of 440 hertz, if you make a fine tuning. A little trick: the phone beep sounds at a frequency of 415 hertz. This is a frequency close to the sound of G-sharp, that is, the first string, clamped on the fourth fret.
Hold the second string in the fifth fret, and you get a unison with the first open. The fourth, fifth and sixth strings are built on the same principle. And only the third string needs to be clamped on the fourth fret so that its sound matches the sound of the second string.
The extreme strings make up a pure octave. If this does not happen, then the guitar is not tuned correctly, and you won’t be able to build a single correct chord.
To master the simple science of the basics of playing a six-string guitar, it is not at all necessary to graduate from a music school or musical university. The guitar can be ranked among modern folk instruments, accessible and understandable for both amateurs and professionals. And therefore, it is not in vain that the guitar is ranked among folk instruments capable of combining the philosophy and lifestyle of the most diverse genres and peoples.