The Impact Of Andres Segovia's Influence On The Classical Guitar

Andres Segovia was a prolific twentieth century classical guitarist who had a profound influence on the classical guitar. Segovia emerged from a musical family in Linares, Spain and from a young age had lessons in an array of traditional classical instruments. But he did not discover his passion for music and the guitar until attending a private concert of a flamenco guitarist after which he received his first lesson. Following this, Segovia began studying the instrument, working diligently, ignoring the wishes of his family “to study an acknowledged and respected classical instrument” (Gorman, 2008). Soon after this Segovia began to realise the guitar’s shortcomings in the realm of classical music. Hence, he outlined his ambitions “To extract the guitar from the noisy and disreputable folkloric amusements” and make it known all over the world … “To create a wonderful repertoire for my instrument” … “[and] to place the guitar in the most important conservatories of the world … Thus securing its future” (Gorman, 2008). The influence Segovia had on the guitar can be best recognised within four specific areas of repertoire, technique, publications and the media.

Segovia had a great influence on the

Prior to Segovia’s influence, the use of fingernails was determined purely by preference of the teacher. The advantages of fingernails over the flesh of the finger in the ability to produce louder and cleaner sounds were recognised by Segovia. Hence he adopted the use of fingernails in his playing. The masses of musicians that adored him embraced his use of fingernails. The sheer impact this had on the sound of the instrument was profound, as a greater amount of control could be accomplished in procuring the many timbres from the guitar. The variance in tones and timbres were improved and technique had to be altered to accommodate the