Short Tarrega-Llobet Recital - Gut-strung Classical Guitar - Rob MacKillop

[@druchumley4571]

I firmly believe this was always the intended technique. Nails are too harsh. This just sounds and feels pure.

[@RobMacKillop1]

Cheers, Dru. Not surprisingly, I agree!

[@iiirdeyeheretik]

I absolutely agree with the tone sounding better, but the major issue is volume unfortunately. There's a reason why classical guitarists used nails, and it's usually about producing volume =/

[@polemikful]

@@iiirdeyeheretik Volume is not the problem. Without nails you can easily achieve that limit volume of the guitar in which it starts to sound wrong and metalic, in spanish we call it "trastear" and one should never play above that volume, as it's the limit of the instrument. The problem of playing without nails is not, therfore, volume, it's speed. Picados, tremolos...they are dificult to achieve without nails. But, if you don't plan to play any superfast piece, the tone is just most beautiful with the flesh, and, to me, beauty>>speed

[@luisbenitezalba6761]

I agree.

[@ww3032]

@@polemikful is it possible to tremolo well without nails? I'm trying to learn that now but it isn't easy.

[@tombelt9011]

T’s Endecha is so suggestive, has a lot of potential for expressive interp. I love what you do with it. An inspiration.

[@RobMacKillop1]

Cheers, Tom. It’s one of my favourites.

[@joemalone3099]

I've never seen somebody playing guitar with such sensibility...fantastic SIR

[@RobMacKillop1]

Thanks, Joe. You might want to check out my website rmClassicalGuitar.com

[@TheloniusJ]

Beautiful. This is the way I would like to play classical guitar.

[@supersoul1966]

+1

[@luisbenitezalba6761]

You are a true master. Nothing but respect for you.

[@RobMacKillop1]

Thank you, Luis. Appreciated!

[@nickrobinson2023]

Delightful...what a beautiful tone. Rich and warm... Thanks for sharing,

[@RobMacKillop1]

Cheers, Nick.

[@joemalone3099]

You SIR are a GREAT musician.....I "ll give everything I have to be able to play like you ...I am too old to get to this level...in an other life maybe...thank you SIR for sharing beauty

[@RobMacKillop1]

Cheers, Joe. Much appreciated! Best wishes, Rob.

[@JonGUK]

Very nice playing and performance with a lovely deep, rich sound.

[@chrisdoddridge4678]

My God, how utterly, ravishingly beautiful , The best Iv'e ever heard.

[@RobMacKillop1]

+Chris Doddridge - High praise. many thanks, Chris. When will the drugs wear off? ;-)

[@NachoMartinezCapella]

I am watching your videos and I am discovering absolutely beautiful pieces. Your channel is awesome!

[@RobMacKillop1]

Thank you for the comment. You might want to check out my website: rmClassicalGuitar.com Best wishes, Rob

[@DrBe-zn5fv]

the lack of volume dynamics is more than compensated by the intimacy and nuance. divine playing! gut strings are rather expensive so one would recommend twisting ones own from ones functionally redundant appendix, easily extracted with a little home surgery.

[@RobMacKillop1]

Not quite true, Doc. The cheapest gut strings (from Bow Brand, a harp string company) are just about the same price as individual nylon strings, and you only need three of them.

[@theodosios2615]

@@RobMacKillop1 Hi Rob, I'm looking to try gut strings, this is a beautiful tone. Plus I have very weak nails. Do you mean using Bow Brand harp strings on the guitar? Or do they make separate guitar strings specifically? Also, what do you mean by only needing 3 of them? Do you only use gut for the trebles, and keep nylon strings for the basses? I assumed the silk basses were necessary too.

[@RobMacKillop1]

@@theodosios2615 Yes, harp strings. They come in Lon lengths, like 10 foot, and you have to cut them to length for the guitar. On the other hand, try these: aquilacorde.com/en/shop/modern-instrument-string-sets/historical-guitars-terzina/gut-silk-900/ - expensive but long lasting. I've had mine on now for 10 months, and counting. The basses have silk core.

[@RobMacKillop1]

@@theodosios2615 Lighter-build guitars, generally. I now play a flamenco negra guitar, strung with gut and silk. Sounds beautiful, I think: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3uodYOPn76grLM

[@vovvov2065]

Thank You, Rob! Fine music.

[@RobMacKillop1]

Thanks, VV. It is indeed.

[@jasonsides5171]

Wow , absolutely beautiful

[@RobMacKillop1]

Cheers, Jason.

[@DeltaJazzUK]

One of my favourite guitar videos. Sublime.

[@RobMacKillop1]

Cheers, DJ!

[@umovilac]

Beautiful, unsurpassed. Thanks Rob

[@RobMacKillop1]

Many thanks...

[@verningles4898]

Your music is some of the most beautiful I've ever heard!!!

[@RobMacKillop1]

Thank yoy, Vern. And your comment is one of the nicest I have ever read!

[@joemalone3099]

Great work as usual ROB...thank you SO MUCH SIR

[@RobMacKillop1]

Cheers, Joe. Glad you like it.

[@ANCMMX]

This music is celestial, supreme. It transport me to another era. I can imagine beautiful images in my mind while i listen to this. I´m starting to play classical guitar. I would like and i would thank if you keep uploading guitar pieces. I love your interpretations. Thank you very much, my friend. Greetings from Mexico.

[@RobMacKillop1]

Greetings from Scotland. There are about one hundred classical guitar videos on my channel. If that is not enough, I will add more later :-) Thanks for your nice comments.

[@ANCMMX]

For real? Ha ha, I need to explore your channel more. I just clicked the suggested videos. Thank you very much for answering. Have a great day in beautiful Scotland.

[@heliopereira6655]

Parabéns! O som que alegram os nossos ouvidos.

[@sargijapunk]

Very beautifull, playing, sound and guitar! Those gut strings and and no-nails really add to intimacy of guitar sound. Thanks for sharing. More comments in your thread on Delcamp/ 6str.

[@videotubazzo]

Che bella musica. Che suono incantevole.......

[@RobMacKillop1]

Grazie. Questa è una chitarra molto bella!

[@videotubazzo]

@@RobMacKillop1 Let's also say that the guitar by itself does not produce any sound... A beautiful guitar solves problems that if the guitarist were to deal with them he would have so much to do that perhaps the result would be halfway enchanting... And you can't be half-enchanted. It must necessarily be fully!

[@fredhoupt4078]

lovely soft tunes.....entrancing.

[@RobMacKillop1]

Thanks, Fred.

[@SergeUnplugged]

Inspiring performance , thank you Sir!

[@RobMacKillop1]

Thanks, Serge.

[@charlesbobillier4992]

Du miel pour les oreilles !

[@RobMacKillop1]

Merci, Charles!

[@georgefenning4844]

Very beautiful Rob . Great tone and technique … as always ..even more so here

[@RobMacKillop1]

Cheers, George. I was young then 😂

[@georgefenning4844]

@@RobMacKillop1 Yes, weren't we all ...................? sigh - ive just had to put my guitar down - tendon in arm and wrist throbbing . it is not getting any easier

[@RobMacKillop1]

@@georgefenning4844 Oh dear. Good luck, George!

[@georgefenning4844]

@@RobMacKillop1 cheers thank you .

[@Nylon_and_Gut-MatteoLaurenzi]

Hey Rob:). Im sorry if Im commentig quite a lot of your videos. But I really feel that I have to exprime with words the peace and tranqullity that I receve from your playing. Hope not to disturb your paece and tranquillity with all my commenting.

[@RobMacKillop1]

Hey, Matteo, I love your comments. It's just nice to know there are people out there who enjoy my efforts. Much appreciated!

[@thegravelwalker]

Absolutely fantastic playing sir,, and what a great sounding instrument too, wish I could play so well :) Thank you !!

[@RobMacKillop1]

thegravelwalker - thank you, sir! Appreciated.

[@christopherhanna5754]

Humbling.... that tone gut and no nails wow... just wow.

[@RobMacKillop1]

Glad you like it, Christopher.

[@siddyx]

Gorgeous tones goin on there Rob

[@RobMacKillop1]

+Julian Egan Cheers, Julian. It's a great guitar.

[@dyermker250]

Exquisite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@RobMacKillop1]

Glad you like it!

[@Jennifer-ze2ox]

This is one of my favorites! You play beautifully!

[@RobMacKillop1]

Thanks, Jennifer.

[@banjopa]

Love the harmonics!

[@jamesha175]

oh man that is beautiful

[@lulapt2030]

Beautiful

[@bongdallion3435]

great job

[@classicalguitarforeveryone]

👏👏👏👏 bravo !!

[@jamespuleo3269]

Rob, I've recently found your work, and much enjoyed the great variety of stringed instruments you've mastered and recreate through. But I've got to say that this time, it's just "too much..." I had to stop the tape after each section, .... just stop, and let it sink in as a full piece~~ (Sometimes a minute and a half, well used, just says it, and needs no more.) The sound is so beautiful, you got me even with something as simple as the tone of the low, open D. Thanks for posting, and for the many years of exploration and dedication.

[@RobMacKillop1]

Cheers, James. Much appreciated. You've made my day.

[@supersoul1966]

Le jeux sans les ongles donne un son d'une douceur incomparable. Impossible d'arriver à faire ça avec les ongles.

[@RobMacKillop1]

I agree!

[@aimonuutinen9299]

man you have such beautiful sound!

[@RobMacKillop1]

Thank you. No nails, and gut strings - the old way of playing.

[@asdrubale2]

Amazing!

[@Jasonfoxism]

always a big fan. .. Thank you for your contribution to classical music.

[@RobMacKillop1]

Cheers, Jason. Appreciated.

[@dougthompson5586]

very nice Rob

[@RobMacKillop1]

Cheers, Doug.

[@karli34]

Dear Rob, if you would kindly change the time marks in your description from "0.00", "1.27" , ... to "0:00", "1.27" and so on, we could easily click the marm to jump directly to the referred piece. Just use a double point (":") for time references instead of a single point ("." ). Thank you very much for sharing your wonderful musical performances and knowledge with the world.

[@RobMacKillop1]

I never knew that. Thanks for the info. Times now edited!

[@efrainescamillarojas1600]

de Monterrey Nuevo León, México, aprecio mucho tu ejecución sin uñas en mano derecha, lo poco que yo toco de Tárrega, lo ejecuto usando uñas, aparentemente se oye más fuerte pero lo que debemos hacer es calibrar el oído, como decimos por acá, "parar la oreja" para no perdernos la dulzura y pureza de sonido suave, pues así, llega más al alma, sé que después de Tárrega entre sus seguidores hubo dos grupos, uno que tocaba con uñas y otro que prefería tocar sin uñas, no sé si Llobet, por su inicio en tocar violín haya pertenecido al segundo grupo porque para percibir notas de violín, no se necesita "parar la oreja". voy a parecer presuntuoso pero tengo el antecedente siguiente: el maestro Juan Montemayor Escamilla, fue quien me enseñó mis primeras notas en la guitarra siendo él violinista y había sido discípulo de Manuel María Ponce, yo lo supe muchos años después pero sin saberlo, siempre tuve inclinación por sus canciones de Ponce: Marchita El Alma, Alevantate, A La Orilla De Un Palmar, Estrellita, Rayando El Sol y otras. saludos sinceros.

[@RobMacKillop1]

¡Gracias! Llobet realmente jugó con uñas cortas, pero Pujol jugó sin ellas. Ponce es uno de mis compositores de guitarra favoritos. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZu2k4qFhL-nsNE

[@efrainescamillarojas1600]

@@RobMacKillop1 Thank you very much for your answer, I liked the video where you play Ponce's

[@wbajzek]

I love your recordings, Rob. I prefer the sound to most commercial recordings these days.

[@RobMacKillop1]

wbajzek - Many thanks. You know, I might make a recording one of these days. Maybe...

[@wbajzek]

Rob MacKillop Do you mind if I ask about your recording setup? Or if you have done, or will do, a video on recording guitar?

[@RobMacKillop1]

I use a Rode NT4 stereo mic, into a Fostex FR2LE hard-disk recorder. Once transferred to my computer, I use Wavelab Essential 6 editing software to chop the beginning and end off, and add some reverb. I then import that file into the video editing software, Vegas Movie Studio Lite, where I mute the video sound, and line up the new sound file - that only takes a few seconds. And that's that.

[@wbajzek]

Thanks! For a long time, I've considered an NT4 as an external mic for my Sony recorder, but never got around to buying it. Your recording is the best example I've heard of it being used on classical guitar, so now I feel confident that it would be a good choice.

[@RobMacKillop1]

wbajzek - I hope it works for you.

[@Gillium001]

Midroll ads on a video like this is a crime against humanity.

[@RobMacKillop1]

The money men are taking over and ruining KZbin. I don’t want ads on my videos!

[@anly7181]

Brilliant

[@RobMacKillop1]

Cheers! Glad you like it!

[@musket-hc1fc]

I like the sound without nails and am pleased to hear your playing without them. Nails are a nuisance!

[@RobMacKillop1]

Glad you think so. Check out rmClassicalGuitar.com

[@Jasonfoxism]

Rob MacKillop wonderful concept....in reality it is very hard to play fast without nails. ... But it is very hard to work a regular job and have nails.

[@wbtemmonline1696]

Most excellent playing...I’m 48 yrs and started playing the classical guitar...hope it’s not to late 😁

[@RobMacKillop1]

Better than starting at 60... :-) I've just started the cello, aged 61.

[@wbtemmonline1696]

Rob MacKillop ...there’s surely hope..thanks for the inspiring music

[@Dr.JesseLiang]

sounds great,liked:)

[@RobMacKillop1]

+Jesse Liang Music Cheers, Jesse.

[@vgfjr505]

I’ve been observing the angle of attack of the right hand. I do have nails but short relative to most that use nails. I have tried this way with the right hand with notable deeper sound, and it does feel more natural.

[@RobMacKillop1]

Good, it is more natural. But every adjustment tends to improve one aspect while diminishing another. So there will come a point at which you have to decide if the new way is ‘overall’ better than the old way. I decided it was, for my way of playing. Other people play very differently to me. Ultimately you have to find what works for you. Best wishes for your exploration!

[@vgfjr505]

@@RobMacKillop1 I have short nails filed at an angle so that the string moves from pure flesh up through the nail. I play my right hand with a left leaning angle off the perpendicular to string, if you look down at the guitar from a player’s point of view. I use the nail to add a metallic sound when I wish by adjusting the angle slightly off to the right of this perpendicular. The exception being the thumb where it’s really hard to add the thumb flesh unless I really adjust this angle more to feel that flesh, but then I am forced to play i, m, a metallic. So, yes, as you hint above, I definitely can’t have the best of both worlds.

[@joycesanders4898]

I much liking...

[@gioboretti914]

magico

[@MsTubbytube]

how can an inanimate piece of wood and string sound like warm honey in the ears

[@RobMacKillop1]

Because I was playing lots of b's :-)

[@kumannyer]

@@RobMacKillop1 haha good one sir!

[@AntonEmery]

sounds great! low noise floor, great tone, and good production. Are you in a nice treated studio room? Or does your house just happen to be really quiet

[@RobMacKillop1]

Anton Emery - it's just a normal living room, and there is a road outside. Occasionally I need a retake because of traffic noise, but most of the time it is fairly quiet. In the Spring time, the birds go crazy just outside the window, but I usually just let them jam along. Well, what else can I do? :-)

[@yasenkalchev7664]

give them tiny small guitars so they can play with you :)

[@bsharporbflat8378]

A little skin makes the nails sound sweeter...bravo...I play with very short nails too, had to learn that way because I was a car mechanic and kept on braking the bloody things, so I finally gave up on them. It's cool not to have to rely absolutely on your nails...like a flat picker shaking his guitar to get the frickin pick out of there with the frenzy of a desert stranded cowboy trying to convince his canteen to spare him a last drop.

[@RobMacKillop1]

Just to be clear, I do not play with a little bit of nail. I have zero nail contact with the string. Cheers, Rob

[@lightwarriors7778]

Such great technique and an intimate relationship with the instrument. Years ago I told my guitar teacher "hey man I decided im gonna buy a bunch of sheep and make gut strings instead of goat" and he said something like "a lot of people are doing that these days man" haha. Sad to say I never actually did that.....lol But stumbling across this video after searching reviews for an Eastman DM1 as I am about to buy one locally for $700 I decided Id leave a comment. Thanks for sharing you joy with the world through your instrument and I hope you continue to do so as it was a blessing to hear. Also, I am curious to know what mic you are using here and in your DM1 review video. It sounds superb. Thanks!

[@RobMacKillop1]

Cheers. I use a Rode NT4 stereo mic, which is great for guitar recording. The DM1 is a fine guitar. Good luck!

[@lightwarriors7778]

@@RobMacKillop1 Thanks for the prompt reply! I look forward to my new purchase. Its the natural finish one but I do like yours quite a lot. I'll definitely do some mic research now. Thanks

[@robroy103]

Just discovered you on KZbin. I am amazed at how you play different stringed instruments, each one so well. I play banjo, guitar and uke, but I find I cannot just go from one to the other easily, I need at least month to adjust between each one and often feel like I'm starting over again with tunings and chord shapes etc. What is your secret?

[@RobMacKillop1]

Hi Bob. Some people do find it hard, but I'm lucky at being able to adapt pretty much instantly. I don't know how I developed that. If I knew, I'd tell you. There's plenty I can't do, though, and I often feel like a beginner. We all have different skills and voices.

[@robertallair7278]

Beautiful playing, in every way! Rob, how does your right hand technique here compare with the way you play the lute? Are you conscious of having the thumb more “outside” on the guitar?

[@RobMacKillop1]

Hi Robert. I always played lute with thumb outside, which was the technique used pretty much from the seven-course lute onwards. So it's not so different playing guitar. These days I've started using more rest strokes in the melody, which is not natural to me, but can have some interesting results. See the video I'm about to upload today: Endecha y Oremus.

[@brckodistrict]

I like the no nail technique. Only problem is the loudness.

[@RobMacKillop1]

+Adnan Peckovic Adnan, if you do it properly (and that takes time) you will be as loud as you were when playing with nails. I have no trouble with volume compared to other classical guitarists. But it took me a while to develop that sound.

[@brckodistrict]

That gives me hope. :) Thank you, Rob! :) I am just reading your web to see how you do it.

[@hrburrell]

Nice organic sound. I also play sans nails but in the traditional classical right hand technique and it is a struggle at times to get the necessary tone and volume. Does the short scale guitar help in that regard?

[@RobMacKillop1]

The string length is 65 cms, which is standard, not short. There's more than one way to play without nails, of course, just as there are different ways of playing with nails. I hope you find a way that works for you. Good luck.

[@thesilentnow7434]

Hi Rob. Great channel! Lovely, inspiring stuff. May I ask which guitar model and strings you are using in the video? Thank you.

[@RobMacKillop1]

Thanks. Gut strings from DamianStrings.com. As for the guitar, it says at the end of the video... ;-)

[@thesilentnow7434]

Hi Rob. Thanks for your reply. Guess I was enjoying the sound more than reading ;) Cheers

[@881buddha]

Hello Sir, can you give me the names of any one else that plays without nails please?

[@RobMacKillop1]

Indeed I can. I’ve got a page devoted to some of them on my website: rmclassicalguitar.com/players/

[@i_t_f_e___proems]

is this guitar still FOR SALE !!!!!!

[@RobMacKillop1]

Sorry, it isn't.

[@Lindhofguitar]

Beautiful playing and sound. May I ask how you recorded this? Kind regards Per Lindhof

[@RobMacKillop1]

Thanks. Rode NT4 mic for the sound. Edited in Wavelab Essential 6 - boost signal, add reverb - then bring sound and video together in Vegas Studio Lite. Cheers.

[@Lindhofguitar]

Hi Rob Thanks a lot. Your recording is among the best, I have heard as it sounds as a guitar played just in front of me.. Luckily I have just ordered a NT4, and I look very much forward trying it out. I have had a lot of different mics, including Neumann KM184, and I never really succeeded with them. The NT4 seems very precise and stereo image is surprisingly wide. And of course your excellent technique has a major influence on the lovely sound too. All the best Per Lindhof

[@RobMacKillop1]

Cheers, Per. It's not an expensive mic, but does the job really well. Glad you like it. Good luck with yours.

[@mathias841]

how are made gut strings ?

[@RobMacKillop1]

Watch this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zqraq6uheJWBd8U

[@davideamadori1316]

La musica di una fiaba.

[@RobMacKillop1]

Grazie mille!

[@wapolo1974]

Lovely stuff, Rob! Btw, what are you using for the wound strings? Cheers,Wilson

[@RobMacKillop1]

+wapolo1974 Hi Wilson. Just normal-tension D'Addario's, but old ones ;-)

[@lorenzodelgaudio]

Hi Rob, is there a course or any advice you can give to us to learn the no nails technique?

[@RobMacKillop1]

Yes, indeed. Go to my website for lots of info: rmClassicalGuitar.com - and I also teach via Skype. Cheers, Rib

[@arthurmcbride1235]

If he grew his nails he would have a range more dynamic sound to use, instead of only this which sounds lacking, like a chinese schoolgirl too afraid to make a real noise. Why is he whispering.

[@RobMacKillop1]

Oh, Arthur, relax. Why should I shout when everyone else is shouting?

[@arthurmcbride1235]

@@RobMacKillop1 It's not about you, it's about the music.

[@RobMacKillop1]

@@arthurmcbride1235 Exactly!

[@filenailedge4284]

Beautiful