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Asyte2c00 
Forum Senior Member
Joined: January 15 2006
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 2099
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 Topic: The Bass in Classical Guitar
Posted: May 26 2009 at 09:33 |
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.
Are open chord for restricitve than closed chords? I know almost every closed chord.
Do most open chords require alternate tunings?
Like, to make song like benighted by Opeth or Horizons by Steve Hackett open chords are necessary with a good base?
How does the bass work with these chords, shout it be open strings or closed strings?
Your advice would be greatly appreciated
Thanks
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Negoba
Prog Reviewer
Joined: July 24 2008
Location: Big Muddy
Status: Offline
Points: 5208
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Posted: May 26 2009 at 09:49 |
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.
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You are quite a fine person, and I am very fond of you. But you are only quite a little fellow, in a wide world, after all.
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clemdallaway
Forum Newbie
Joined: February 06 2005
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 33
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Posted: July 12 2009 at 13:27 |
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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
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Don't eat the yellow snow!!!!!
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The Pessimist
Prog Reviewer
Joined: June 13 2007
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 3834
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Posted: July 12 2009 at 13:58 |
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Alternate tunings or a capo. Don't be ashamed to use either! As for how to use them, that's up to you to look up chord voicing in music theory books.
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"Market value is irrelevant to intrinsic value."
Arnold Schoenberg
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JLocke
Prog Reviewer
Joined: November 18 2007
Status: Offline
Points: 4900
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Posted: July 12 2009 at 15:49 |
 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. 
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JLocke
Prog Reviewer
Joined: November 18 2007
Status: Offline
Points: 4900
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Posted: July 12 2009 at 15:50 |
The Pessimist wrote:
Alternate tunings or a capo. Don't be ashamed to use either! As for how to use them, that's up to you to look up chord voicing in music theory books.
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I agree; capos are great for more unusual compositions, and make it a lot easier to reach certain notes without having to change the tuning at all. In fact, a song Jay and I are working on right now uses a capo. 
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clemdallaway
Forum Newbie
Joined: February 06 2005
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 33
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Posted: July 13 2009 at 10:37 |
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Take a look at some of Gordon Giltrap's composition, he uses both capo and alternative tunings.
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Don't eat the yellow snow!!!!!
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Slartibartfast
Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator / In Memoriam
Joined: April 29 2006
Location: Atlantais
Status: Offline
Points: 29630
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Posted: July 13 2009 at 13:44 |
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Michael Hedges is sorely missed.
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Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened... 
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clemdallaway
Forum Newbie
Joined: February 06 2005
Location: United Kingdom
Status: Offline
Points: 33
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Posted: July 13 2009 at 14:13 |
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Oh yes, amazing guitarist!
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Don't eat the yellow snow!!!!!
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The Bass in Classical Guitar