Nylon-String Guitar Resources
Below is a collection of articles and resources about the players, instruments and trends of the nylon string guitar family. You'll find articles about the top flamenco, jazz, and classical guitar players from yesterday and today, and lessons on how to play in all of those styles. You'll also find reviews and information on all types of nylon-string guitars, and profiles of the luthiers that are at the top of their craft, who specialize in building these fine instruments.

A Lesson with Rodrigo y Gabriela Fusing musical styles from flamenco to rock, incendiary Mexican guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela is rewriting the rules for the nylon-string guitar. An exclusive Acoustic Guitar lesson. With audio examples.

A Private Lesson with John Stowell The jazz chord master talks about chord-melody arranging, accompanying others, and how he creates lush, pianistic-sounding chords.

A Private Lesson with Marc Atkinson The Canadian Gypsy-jazz ace describes how to create solos by using guidetones.

Acoustic Guitar Icons Lesson: How to Play Like Andrés Segovia The Spanish guitarist's mastery of the nylon-string established the classical guitar in concert halls worldwide.

Acoustic Guitar Icons Lessons: How to Play Like Django Reinhardt Fluid melodic lines, quicksilver arpeggios, and melodies played in octaves are some of the hallmarks of the Gypsy-jazz king's flamboyant style. With video.

Acoustic Guitar Legends: Paco de Lucía Lesson The flamenco master initiated a revolution in the Spanish style with modern harmonic choices and unparalleled virtuosity. With video and tab.

Adam del Monte The flamenco and classical guitarist describes how he blends tradition, influences, and experimentation. With audio and tab.

Andrés Segovia How the legendary classical guitarist elevated the guitar to the status of concert instrument in the 20th century

Beijing Guitar Duo Mentored by Manuel Barrueco, Meng Su and Yameng Wang have built a classical repertoire rich in modern compositions as well as traditional Chinese folk music.

Benjamin Verdery Lick of the Month.

Bossa Nova Lesson Learn the basic elements of Brazilian bossa nova guitar playing. With audio.

Buyer Beware Advice about buying a classical guitar sight unseen.

Carlos Oliveira The Brazilian guitarist talks about blending musical styles and finding a unique voice.With video and tab.

Casual Classical Tips on playing restaurants and weddings for classical guitarists. How to approach performing casual gigs.

Classical Comfort Finding a solution to nerve irritation and discomfort when playing a standard classical guitar.

Classical Guitar Education Today Acoustic Guitar talks with Sérgio Assad, Michael Chapdelaine, Brian Head, Stephen Mattingly, and David Tanenbaum.

Classical Nails Advice on filing and shaping fingernails for playing classical guitar.

Classical Performance Tips from three renowned guitarists. Tips on choosing a program, relieving preconcert jitters, warming up, and staying focused in performance.

Classical Techniques A left-hand workout. Developing left-hand technique for classical guitar.

Classical Techniques Tackling Tremolo. Patterns and exercises for improving tremolo technique.

Cordoba Fusion 14 RS Review Acoustic-electric nylon-string hybrid combines steel-string guitar feel with classical sound. With video

Córdoba Fusion Orchestra Review Acoustic Guitar reviews a hybrid acoustic-electric classical guitar designed for steel-string players that has a warm sound and comfortable feel.

David Russell The Grammy-winning classical guitarist releases his first album of contemporary music. Scottish Fandango Classical guitarist David Russell on the pleasures of performing, recording, and teaching.

Dell'Arte Instruments Founded by Alain Cola, a Frenchman looking to introduce Americans to Django Reinhardt's music, Dell'Arte has become one of the premier manufacturers of Gypsy jazz guitars.

Earl Klugh Interview and Lesson The jazz icon illuminates his unique solo-guitar approach.

French Polish Finish The craft of one of the oldest and finest options for acoustic guitars.

Giuliani Studies Lesson Explore classical guitar master Mauro Giuliani’s legendary picking-hand exercises.With video and tab.

GREAT ACOUSTICS: 2002 Smallman Classical

GREAT ACOUSTICS: 2009 Matthias Dammann Classical

GREAT ACOUSTICS: Marc Saumier Cherry Seven Nylon-String With Video

Gyan Riley Private Lesson The classical guitarist and composer talks about time, influences, and tone. With video.

Gypsy Soul One of the guitar world's most distinctive styles, flamenco guitars are similar to, yet notably different from, classical instruments. Here's what gives this special breed of nylon-strings its loud, percussive tone.

Heart of a Master After nearly half a century as one of the world's most celebrated classical guitarists—both as a member of the Romeros and as a soloist—Pepe Romero reflects on his Spanish heritage, how to build technique, the correct understanding of time, the meditative approach to the instrument, and the emotional center that is the foundation of his virtuosity.

Hill Performance Series Review Acoustic Guitar checks out a punchy-sounding double-top classical. With video.

John Jorgenson Learn the essentials of Gypsy-jazz guitar with the US’s foremost exponent of Django Reinhardt’s music. With video. Django for a Day Playing the part of Django Reinhardt in a movie was a dream come true. By John Jorgenson.

José Ramírez 125th Anniversary Model Review The Spanish guitar builder celebrates its 125th anniversary with a limited-production student model. With audio examples.

Ken Hatfield The nylon-string jazz guitarist discusses the importance of learning to play in every key. With audio.

Manuel Contreras Guitars Short profile of luthier Manuel Gonzalez Contreras who built guitars for Ramirez before opening his own shop in Madrid, Spain.

Nylon Tension Understanding different string tensions.

Nylon-String Griot Malian guitarist/singer Habib Koite talks about his new live CD and the evolution of his guitar style.

Play Classical Guitar Now! Tips and techniques to get you started playing classical. With video.

Prelude for Lute BWV 999 Learn to play this classic Bach composition, arranged for guitar by Patrick Francis. With video and tab.

Prelude from the Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major The prelude to Johann Sebastian Bach's Cello Suite No. 1 in G major, arranged for the guitar by Patrick Francis. With video.

Punchy Nylon Strings A reader asks which nylons have more steel-string-like brightness and sustain.

Quarter-Century Quartet The Los Angeles Guitar Quartet anticipates its 25th anniversary with a tribute to its heroes.

Radical Classical New developments in contemporary nylon-string lutherie.

Ramirez S1 Classical The celebrated Spanish masters' newest model boasts superior clarity, lightning-fast response, and robust volume.

Robin Nolan Gypsy Jazz Lesson Learn gypsy jazz with this master player. With audio and video

Roland Dyens The French guitarist/composer talks about arranging Brazilian choros, tone production, and picking-hand techniques. With video and tab.

Sérgio Assad Interview Known for his groundbreaking classical guitar duo with his brother, Odair, Brazilian classical virtuoso Sérgio Assad talks about his background, composing for the guitar, and teaching.

Seven Classical Guitars Reviewed Acoustic Guitar reviews seven classical guitars ranging in price from $299 to $2,900. with video.

Solo Flight Guided by intuition and experience, luthier Frabrizio Alberico builds steel- and nylon-string guitars that are custom-tailored to discerning fingerstylists' needs.

Stochelo Rosenberg The Gypsy jazz master on the genius of Django Reinhardt and how he created his own style. With video.

Takamine TC135SC Nylon-String Warm amplified tones and a versatile setup make this a brilliant crossover guitar for steel-string players

The Art of the Classical Arpeggio Increase your sensitivity to the guitar by studying the arpeggio techniques of classical players. With Aguado's 'Study No. 19.' With audio examples.

The Drunken Sailor Traditional, composed/arranged by Edward Flower. With video.By Sharon Isbin

The Magnificent Seven A look at seven acoustic guitars that changed the way we play.

The New Virtuosos Determined to expand the classical guitar's repertoire and appeal, three young musicians—Ana Vidovic, Jason Vieaux, and Thibault Cauvin—are pushing the instrument beyond the traditional.

The Noble Art: Eliot Fisk How Eliot Fisk shares his passion for guitar and the classical tradition.

Thomas Humphrey Millenium by Sharon Isbin

What Kind of Classical Guitar Do You Need? There are many factors to consider when shopping for a classical guitar.

A Guide to Nylon-String Guitars Understanding classical, flamenco, jazz, and acoustic-electric models

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