There's no one right way to play - Rob MacKillop Interview

[@RobMacKillop1]

Thanks to Jared for the interview, and to all those making nice comments. Take care. Rob.

[@soundguitar]

Thanks so much again Rob! 🙏 I'm so happy to have this conversation documented here. :) -Jared

[@peterrist1345]

Interesting interview. I like Rob's lack of ideology when discussing issues such as the nails / no nails question!

[@alexstewart8097]

''making nice'' comments''...Rob , what does that mean though?

[@robertfantazo4751]

Two-and-a-half years ago I went through chemotherapy which destroyed my nails. I was studying with Classical Guitar Corner. I stop playing for a Time and the teachers at CGC shared that Fernando Sor and others played with no nails. Today, I'd never go back to nails even if I could. Somehow it made, what I now play, personal, it's my own sound. It's from my heart. Thank you for the time you two spent on this video

[@bharathit1173]

I've been playing fingerstyle with fingertips and recently discovered that my hand position is not at all like other fingerstyle guitarists on youtube.. I thought I practised a wrong technique and I've been searching for a right technique.. I found that it is a no nail technique.. I'm so glad that it is not wrong.. I feel connected to the guitar 100% when I use right hand fingertips.. The volume is a bit low and it sounds mellow but the feel we get is unexplainable., can say it feels like guitar is totally a part of me, not at all like an external thing.. I didn't get calluses on right hand.. This video is gold.. Very useful talk.. I'm so happy that people like you are discovering and teaching the ways that provide more flexibility in guitar learning not just sticking to the classical guitar.. Yes, like they said, we have to listen to our voices. Thank you so much for this video and thanks to you both 🤝..

[@druchumley4571]

How inspiring it was to discover Rob a few years ago. He convinced me to use Aquila strings and not to worry about my nails. Thank you, Rob.

[@hrburrell7587]

I have been following Rob for years and have always played without nails. Its interesting that he plays short scale guitars and he was one of the originals who started playing on smaller instruments before it was a trend of sorts. Also check out Brandon Acker's channel, he has quite a bit of content on playing without nails. Virginia Luque is another no nails player who was trained by Segovia and she has a wonderful sound technique

[@martoneill]

Wonderful- I could listen to Rob all day. A lifetime worth of musicianship held so lightly and communicated so beautifully and effectively.

[@moonasha]

my mind is absolutely blown that he tunes a whole step down. I immediately tried it, and right away it's easier to play, especially difficult barres. I think I'll be sticking with at least 415 from now on

[@NateBreidenbaugh-gg7fs]

Yep. This is where I am now. 415 for my nylon strings, 392 for my steel string acoustics. I like the lowered tension and richer sound.

[@reyne8424]

This is an absolutely lovely interview with a lovely man! I used to play fingerstyle on a strapped and angled classical guitar as an accompaniment to the traditional folk songs we sing in the German Youth Movement (scouts and organisations similar to scouts). After being stuck in a rut for 3 years I recently started playing again, and I‘ve been struggling with the classical techniques that were recommended to me years ago. Nails are not an option for me. This gives me the courage to use the right hand techniques I‘ve been using for 10 years and to experiment from there. My classical beginner pieces instantly sound and feel so much better! Thank you so much for putting this out there!

[@odmineypiju4761]

I only ever knew how to play without nails, because I started when I was 10 years old and my nails would get destroyed by doing childhood stuff before they could ever grow out. Then I stuck with having short nails as part of my identity. This month I finally decided to try to transition into playing with nails and started growing them out, and now this pops up in my feed, and convinces me that nails suck and I shouldn't!!!

[@nealzshipe]

Rob is such an authentic and kind human. Him, along with a few other players in the lute community were very encouraging when I began studying the lute. I am so thankful for that. As a musician who set down his guitar in complete burn out after a 4 year bachelor of music program, it was the open-mindedness and "find your own voice" mentality that I was missing. It restored my love for music, and made me confident and excited to be sharing music with the world. I'd love to see the music conservatory re-think it's pedagogical approach. Thank you to both. Rob, for your time, and Jared for conducting this interview.

[@RobMacKillop1]

You are now a teacher, Neal, through your playing and grace online. Keep it up! Rob

[@vgfjr505]

Wao! What an interesting conversation. I have to apologize for not knowing either of these men. Just a lovely interview. Regardless of whether you play with or without nails, find you voice; that’s the message I got. This video motivated me so much to find my voice.

[@juliandelphiki518]

Rob MacKillop is such a treasure, great GREAT interview!

[@danmasessa1011]

Began my classical guitar journey a few years ago as an older adult playing with flesh. I visited Rob's site and listened to his music many times but really enjoyed this interview and your previous videos on this subject. Both of you are a great inspiration for my new passion. I'm currently enrolled in a graded system but never had a desire to submit. So refreshing to get Rob'd take on this as well.

[@soundguitar]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Dan! I'm glad you liked the interview! :)

[@markgoodwin5306]

What a humble, kind and genuine man. I immediately hit follow on his page. I really need to anchor down what I want and need to focus on as a single guitar player. I’m never gonna be a shredder. I just like anything that sounds good. When people ask me what kind of music I like I say, “whatever I think is good” haha. And I really think I just want to play by myself. All I can do is keep building my theory knowledge, practice and come up with interesting stuff, stuff that flows.

[@soundguitar]

I'm with you on all that. I also like mostly just playing on my own so I hear you. Good luck on the journey of finding your direction and sound. We'll be in it together because I'm still trying to figure it out too :)

[@markgoodwin5306]

@@soundguitar Thanks man

[@alexstewart8097]

''that flows'' as in Gurdjieff's nonsense and all? ''haha''. Wish it were that easy as going nail less, which applies to life itself, but IT ISN'T...Shema!!!.

[@lindasmith6668]

I really appreciate this series. I am inspired to play without nails; I so enjoy the sound and I feel more in connected with the guitar. I also feel it is worth investing the time to learn this. Thank you again so much.

[@HarryVerey]

Great interview. Well worth listening to every word Rob has to say and his approach to music. I'm sure he would have many wise words to say on other aspects of life besides music too. You did an excellent job in steering the conversation with a positive affinity between you..

[@LetzBeaFranque]

Rob is the man! He is the reason I started playing classical guitar again. I can't play with nail due to weak nails.

[@soundguitar]

Wonderful!! I'm glad he had that influence on you :)

[@waynzwhirled6181]

This is wonderful. Thank you!

[@Mike-rw2nh]

I very much suspect I will be returning to this interview many times over the years to come. Stellar content, gentlemen.

[@soundguitar]

Glad you feel the same. I think I'll be returning to it quite a bit too. :)

[@scottconnuck3406]

My nails are a constant challenge and the bane of my existence. I have paper thin nails and a thyroid condition which makes whatever nails I do have very brittle. I told myself that despite these challenges, I would do what is necessary to make beautiful music. I'll be damned if I resorted to waiting until my nails to grow out in order to play. I've been practicing many hours a day now, and have adjusted to not having nails. I've learned that I can do it... And... it's not a big deal. There is so much beautiful music to make without nails. This was just one of my discoveries on my way to being the best that I can be. Another is hand position. I've always been taught at the conservatory that the best technique is ALWAYS playing from the knuckle joint. I tried doing this for years, and it just wasn't working, due to my 'a' (anular) finger being so weak and shorter than the other fingers. Consequently, I could never play fast and had no control and never understood why... UNTIL I saw a video on guitarist John William's guitar technique. Turns out, John does everything my teachers told me not to do... he plays from the middle joint. I tried it, and practiced playing from middle joint with minimal movement, a deviated wrist, and anchoring fingers. Now, I am able to play scales at 146 BPM from the middle joint and without nails! I wish I could go back in time and realize that each artist must learn the way that is right for THEM. BTW-- I also tune down, especially when restringing my guitar. I leave it about one tone down and love it. Thank you, Rob, for confirming what I now know is true... there is no one way of playing guitar!

[@eddalessandromusic6742]

Lovely interview! Inspiring to see how humble and open a great musician like MacKillop can be. Find your own voice!

[@soundguitar]

Glad you enjoyed it, Ed, thanks for checking it out! :)

[@darrynsantanamusic]

What a beautiful conversation! resonated hugely with this. Thanks guys!

[@soundguitar]

Glad to hear that, Elda, thanks! :)

[@MultiBadboy666]

I love Rob's attitude on the instrument. It's a pleasure to hear him talk about the topic.

[@soundguitar]

Agreed! :)

[@alexstewart8097]

I SEE, but Guess it's ALL about ''Rob's attitude'' and tone with you for Multi there are many ? Read this fast for KZbin will soon shadow ban it for some reason, their own reason, like they did my previous comment...Shema!!!.

[@OtRatsaphong]

Thanks for this beautiful conversation and for introducing Rob to me. Will certainly be have a look at his channel.

[@PhilTaylorGuitar]

Interesting video and Rob is such a nice guy. People should check out his plectrum guitar playing as well.

[@moonasha]

I started learning guitar 2 years ago now, and always used my fingers because, well, I was too lazy to grow nails, and I do some rather rough things with my hands. The idea of using nails and not being able to feel the strings seems weird to me now

[@seanwholey6190]

Awesome and inspiring interview. His thoughts and comments are very helpful. I'd be interested in hearing more interviews. I trust you'll find knowledgeable guests. Thanks!

[@soundguitar]

Glad you enjoyed it, Sean. And thanks for the feedback on the possibility of doing more interviews in the future. I'll definitely thinking about that.

[@Vroomfondle1066]

Good review!

[@Jugokazooie]

I really enjoyed this video.

[@soundguitar]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Isbin_]

What an interesting interview. But of course Rob's playing and musical approach and attitude is always interesting.

[@heimerblaster976]

Julian Bream a very interesting Lute / Guitar player.

[@kukumuniu5658]

I have question for masters;) how to practice without guitar :) during a long break from the guitar? What to practice on paper, in imagination, in theory so as not to forget the position of the sounds on the fingerboard etc.

[@soundguitar]

Awesome question. We can practice in our minds the things that we've practiced the most on the guitar. Take something you're extremely familiar with on the guitar and think through it in your mind without the guitar. This alone is great practice and internalization. ** Thanks for asking -Jared

[@adamkubiak1933]

Wonderful content. Thank you!

[@MrMewsique]

I can't grow nails. Mine natural nails are thin and weak and I've tried taking gelatin and it didn't work. I went to a nail salon and had fake nails attached but I didn't like using a guitar pick with a bulky nail attached. I've really struggled with what to do. I'm trying to get used to using the flesh with steel strings. Love any comments on this

[@RingsOfSolace]

I appreciate classical guitar and am learning some just because it will be useful to me (and I really like classical guitar music). But there seems to be a lot of prescriptivism in those circles and it's kind of cringe. Glad to see someone else sees the "no sh!t" side, where ultimately, there's more than one way to skin a cat.

[@douglasthompson8927]

This is very helpful..thanks to you both...having experimented with nails and no nails for a long time I`ve noticed when recording the flesh seems to sound better so I will be exploring that exclusively at least for now..also the comment at the end regarding the use of reverb was extremely useful..I`ve never really know what to do with it..when I use it my recordings just seem to sound artificial but when I don`t there seems to be something missing..this answers a lot of questions..thank you

[@phillipjordan1010]

The whole fingernails things is what has held me back from pursuing flamenco which I love. Any advice?

[@MrMewsique]

What about no nails on steel strings? I don't use fingerpicks. I find them too bulky. Anyone have any thoughts?

[@soundguitar]

No nails on steel string is 👌👌👌 I much prefer it over anything else. It's one of the reasons I switched, so I could get a sound I want on steel string while still playing classical on nylon as well.

[@douglasthompson8927]

you can`t be implying that there`s more then two kinds of music ?

[@maximilianoschulz74]

El Fénix , didn’t use nails either

[@robertgiles9124]

I saw many of the big names like Segovia and Bream and Parkening in large Halls; it was never great. Wiih no amp. it's always a struggle to hear past the first few rows. I think you just limit dynamics and tone colors with no nails. But then my own technique, learned from Parkening, can sound like no nails if I want, but with no nails you will never match the full power of nails. Knowing how the shape the nails and how to use rest strokes in different ways are so important.

[@freeltamon7208]

J, what does it mean that a student can be with a teacher for 10+ years. Isn't there an "arrival" point where a student has learned enough and can adapt to changing circumstances with their instrument?

[@RobMacKillop1]

If I may jump in here. The mature students who have been with me for ten years are not aiming to be concert players, but they do love exploring, and we have done deep-dives into different musical styles and even instruments. I try to get students to a point where they can be independent, but some people just love coming for lessons. As a teacher, you soon realise that everyone is different, and therefore your teaching must be able to adapt in order to help them.

[@freeltamon7208]

@@RobMacKillop1 Hi R, excellent work and thanks for your response. I see... For those who are aiming to be concert guitarists/performers, is there different advice/instruction?

[@RobMacKillop1]

@@freeltamon7208 Well, these days you apparently have to go through some advanced music school, do competitions, etc. I gave up teaching at such a place, in fact two such places, as I disagree with that format for artists. So now advanced and would-be advanced players come to me for specific things they see me associated with, for example no-nails playing, classical improvisation, lute music, etc. So they tend to stay for a shorter time, just focussing on one or two things. Some of my students - who will always remain anonymous - are also students and even teachers at advanced institutions. So for the advanced player I have become useful for specific adjuncts to their main pathway.

[@freeltamon7208]

@@RobMacKillop1 You're a wealth of knowledge, so I'm sure can do this for hours😁 so, thanks for the conversation and many blessings with future endeavors.

[@nnjack9931]

Wonderful interview! I think nails sound horrible. I just cringe when I hear nails on the guitar like nails on a chalk board.

[@soundguitar]

Glad you liked the interview! Thanks for watching :)

[@briangable08]

Too many advertising clips money grabbing