Limitations of the guitar.

[OinkBoink]

This probably applies to other instruments too. Maybe I'm being a bit ignorant here and I'm not some musical maestro.

I mean, there are some groups/patterns of notes that you just can't play, both because of the way the instrument is designed and because of the fact that we have only five digits (and we can do very little with the thumb on our fretting hand). Of course, you can use different tunings, use a capo etc. but still there are still bound to be some limitations.

Am I wrong somewhere ?

 

[lxskllr]

Not sure what you're getting at. Everything is limited, but guitar might not be as limited as you think. no one says you have to play it conventionally. You have 10 fingers you can use, and strings can be added.

 

[OinkBoink]

Everything is limited, but guitar might not be as limited as you think. no one says you have to play it conventionally. You have 10 fingers you can use, and strings can be added.

Yes, of course. That's what I was saying. You can use different tunings, use a capo or add strings as you said etc. to make it more versatile.

 

[lxskllr]

Yes, of course. That's what I was saying. You can use different tunings, use a capo or add strings as you said etc. to make it more versatile.

As I said, I don't know what you're after exactly. Probably the least limited instrument would be a synthesizer, but that's kind of cheating. Everything analog will have various limits.

 

[Gibsons]

Yes, of course. That's what I was saying. You can use different tunings, use a capo or add strings as you said etc. to make it more versatile.

All of them are limited, but I'd guess a guitar is more versatile than most. Decent dynamic range, can play (at least) 6 notes at once. Compared to say, a trombone it's way less limited.

 

[StrangerGuy]

Blowing instruments can't even play chords, right?

 

[lxskllr]

Blowing instruments can't even play chords, right?

Generally speaking that's true, but there's some that can play chords.

 

[angminas]

I also don't know what you're getting at. Yes, there are limitations. There's also more than one way to play a guitar.

http://www.wimp.com/talentedstudent/
http://www.wimp.com/fivepeople/
http://www.wimp.com/craigferguson/

 

[Gintaras]

 

[olds]

I also don't know what you're getting at. Yes, there are limitations. There's also more than one way to play a guitar.
...
http://www.wimp.com/fivepeople/
...

Pretty cool

 

[Triumph]

Meh. If there is a limitation to the guitar, Michael Angelo Batio will find it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz3JhKXJDTM

 

[Mixolydian]

I can't play guitar. For some reason can't grasp the concept of a chromatically arranged instrument.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

This probably applies to other instruments too. Maybe I'm being a bit ignorant here and I'm not some musical maestro.

I mean, there are some groups/patterns of notes that you just can't play, both because of the way the instrument is designed and because of the fact that we have only five digits (and we can do very little with the thumb on our fretting hand). Of course, you can use different tunings, use a capo etc. but still there are still bound to be some limitations.

Am I wrong somewhere ?

Well the notes repeat themselves. Like once you go so far down the neck towards the body, the same notes repeat on the next string at the top. Can't remember how many, been a few years since I played.

So if you want to play the second note on the string closest to you, and a note 10 down, you just use the 3rd note on the second string. Or something like that. Can't remember when they repeat.

 

[Markbnj]

I think, in general, the piano is the least "limited" instrument in this regard, or maybe the harp. Any instrument where you have a few octaves of notes laid out in order from low to high would be less "limited" than one where the ranges are stacked the way they are on a guitar fretboard. I've heard people say that guitar is one of the most difficult instruments to play physically. It's the only instrument I play so I can't compare, but I always assumed there were many that would be easier.

 

[TechBoyJK]

I can't play guitar. For some reason can't grasp the concept of a chromatically arranged instrument.

lol

 

[Wyndru]

Pretty cool

Yeah that was really cool how they pulled it off on 1 guitar. The singers were pretty spot on too.

 

[Mixolydian]

lol

lol

 

[GrumpyMan]

If you ever get to see a true flamenco classical guitarist in concert, come back and we'll talk again about the guitar. And this guy is just ok, the true masters like Eduardo Falu who was a friend of my dad and mom are much better and classical music guitarists are great too and can sound like 2 guitars playing:

http://youtu.be/0o8vszqVL2U

http://youtu.be/NH3hkO4rRdA

http://youtu.be/EQGBbLBShzk

http://youtu.be/KMG6Oge0B8Y

 

[Red Squirrel]

Meh. If there is a limitation to the guitar, Michael Angelo Batio will find it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz3JhKXJDTM

I guess if you find a limit on a guitar, just add more guitars to the guitar.

 

[SSSnail]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S33tWZqXhnk

Just one guy, one guitar.

 

[NikolaeVarius]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54eZyO3cdGg

Michael Romeo. A god amongst men.

 

[SSSnail]

Just one question for the OP - are you even anywhere near the limits of a guitar?

 

[KillerCharlie]

I think, in general, the piano is the least "limited" instrument in this regard, or maybe the harp. Any instrument where you have a few octaves of notes laid out in order from low to high would be less "limited" than one where the ranges are stacked the way they are on a guitar fretboard. I've heard people say that guitar is one of the most difficult instruments to play physically. It's the only instrument I play so I can't compare, but I always assumed there were many that would be easier.

In my opinion the difficulty in playing guitar is connecting the notes and/or chords for a smooth, legato sound. That's hard to do with just a few strings, especially since you have to pluck them and can't sustain a note when you have to use that string for another.

In that regard even a well played classical guitar can't compete with a piano. The potential for good phrasing is just so much higher on a piano.

As far as physical difficulty, I think the piano also has a potential for more difficulty. Your instrument is 4' wide and your hands have to fall at the right place. On a guitar one hand is still and is guided by the neck, and you only have a few strings that are close together.

 

[Markbnj]

In my opinion the difficulty in playing guitar is connecting the notes and/or chords for a smooth, legato sound. That's hard to do with just a few strings, especially since you have to pluck them and can't sustain a note when you have to use that string for another.

In that regard even an extremely well played classical guitar can't compete with a piano. The potential for good phrasing is just so much more on a piano.

And I assume there are advantages in the other direction as well. You have a lot more economy of motion with the guitar, and an expert player can probably group notes that a piano player would find more challenging just because of the physical distance.

And the guitar is easier to carry.

 

[lxskllr]

And the guitar is easier to carry.

Weakling :^P

To me, the greatest advantage of a guitar over a piano is the ability to pitch bend.