The Bass in Classical Guitar

Oh yes, amazing guitarist!

Take a look at some of Gordon Giltrap's composition, he uses both capo and alternative tunings.

Negoba wrote: It requires alternate tunings.   Michael Hedges had his harp guitar for exactly what you're wanting, big ringing bass notes with the open fullness. The best you can do is tune your bottom strings to the tonal center and then work with how the fingers happen to land. Alternate tunings can be a blessing and a curse because they aften have a specific sound that can be great but also a little enclosed.   For instance, Devin Townsend's guitar has a certain sound that is very easily recognizable because of the tuning he uses. But it also takes a fair bit of work to get back to more standard sounds.   Anyway, good luck.

Michael Hedges is a god. "Breakfast in the Field" is one of my favorite Guitar albums of all time.

I too had always wondered how he got those resounding bass notes. Thanks for clearing this up for us less knowledgeable players.

I would suggest looking at alternate fingerings for the chords. try this shape, 1st finger on the 4 fret of the high E (G#), 2nd finger on the 5th fret of the B(E), 3rd finger on the 6th fret of the D(G#), 4th finger on the 6th fret of the G (C#). You could also barre the 4th fret, which will give you the G# & C# bass notes on the A & E strings. The Only problem is that you will loose the A note, which will change the chord to a C# minor with a G# bass note. If you do go with the barre, put you 3rd finger on the 6th fret of the G (C#)and your 4th finger on the 7th fret of the D (A).

There are many options, this is just one!

Take care & good luck!

Clem


Edited by clemdallaway - July 12 2009 at 13:33

Hey, I have been playing classical guitar for four years, however, I would like to know how to incorporate bass notes into classical guitar compositions because I always found that they sound better. 

I find that the best compositions are made with open chords, but how can you have an open AMaj7 chord with C# and G# because there are no C# or G# strings.