Question
I am studying classical guitar (like you or Jeff Waters did) in a Fine Arts School. I am doing this, not only because of the influence you are for me, but also for love I have for classical and flamenco music. The problem is, when I play electric guitar, my classical technique is affected and puts me into trouble at school (with my guitar teacher). I want to take some electric guitar lessons, but it is another technique and I don't want to leave my career either, I'm gonna make both. And the question are:
How did you learn electric guitar while you studied classical guitar?
How did you adapt one technique to another?
How can I avoid to show up I'm making both techniques and not make it so noticeable for my classic guitar teacher?
Gabriel
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Answer
Hey Gabriel,
Those are very good questions as I had to deal with that myself. There is no great solution, but I would tell you to remember that if you love the instrument you will be playing it for the rest of your life, and that at any one point there will be a specific focus (ex. Classical, Jazz, Metal, tapping, finger picking etc...). Knowing this, when one area has priority put your focus there (in the big scheme of things 4 yrs focusing on classical won't impact your electric negatively in fact it should benefit it).
Here are the answers to your questions:
"How did you learn electric guitar while you studied classical guitar?"
I still had a band and worked on ideas and concepts with the electric but classical had priority at that time.
"How did you adapt one technique to another?"
These should support one and other (besides the difference of using a pick or finger picking). For example one of the concepts taught in classical guitar is the idea of avoiding compound motions when possible to accomplish the musical idea. This is applicable in all genre's of music.
"How can I avoid to show up I'm making both techniques and not make it so noticeable for my classic guitar teacher?"
I believe your technique should be consistent through both, but remember that you are paying tuition to learn from this teacher, so hopefully he has valuable technical information that will benefit both forms of music.
Good luck, Chris.
