Wrongo, Frosto:

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:-)

Talk about a get rich quick scheme.........

HE

I don't think they're on classicals because the instrument was traditionally played solo -- surface position markers are much more useful for other players than they are for the person playing the instrument themselves. Concert musicians as was previously remarked, look at their music and their conductor, not the instrument. Having grown up playing classical, the side position markers on any guitar I find to be more useful than surface markers because I'm looking for position on the fingerboard -- surface markers your own fingers block their view.

Hi Larry,

I think that if you look at this subject by the strictly classical player point of view, some of those points will be lost. Not that I think its rubish or anything, they surely will aplly in a lot of cases, but maybe not in a strictly classical player's case.

The classical position of playing will not allow for easy viewing of the fretboard's face. Side marks are more usefull in that case. When looking at the fretboard, you are most of the times trying to get your left hand position straight, not trying to guess wich fret you are at. With little practice you'll identify which fret is which in a glance. If I can do it, anuone can! :D
Also, copying your teachers fingers by looking at his guitar while he is playing is not an usuall practice either. I won't sau it never happens, but lots of teachers don't even have their guitars in hand while teaching.
Mine only picks his guitar about 1/4 of the classes.

I certanly don't think that marks are such an abomination, for some they are indeed usefull, but I guess one should take in consideration that a traditional classical guitar is intended for a classical player, they way the things are done in that style and all of the burdens that may come with it...:D

Just another point of view :up: .

Regards,
Gustavo.

My Larrivee LS-03MT Forum III guitar has no fret markers on the fretboard except for three micro-dots on the 12th fret. Since it is a 12-fret guitar they are obviously for decorative purposes only. I find that I don't miss them at all. After 20 years, if I don't know my way around the neck by now I never will.

I do think they are beneficial in the learning process though. It would be harder for a beginner to find the correct fret without the aid of markers. After you've learned, there really isn't any benefit except for those who are playing with you. I've never owned a classical and never even noticed that they don't have markers.

Why do steel-string guitars have them? You can't see'em when you play.

I goes by the small dots on the side of the neck. Which i have on my cassical guitars also.

Tradition is the basic answer, and whether fret markers matter to you or not tends to depend on what tradition each of us has come from.

I learned to play on a classical but I have been playing steel string acoustic for so long -- something like 46 years now -- that I would probably miss fret markers if I didn't have them. I certainly am not leaning over the guitar looking at the markers, but I tend to take Larry's approach and tilt the body of the guitar to get it off my chest so it rings better and to minimize the shoulder discomfort. With the guitar in the position, the fret markers on both the sides of the neck and on the fretboard itself are easily visible. Truthfully, I'm not really sure how much I use them...

These days I own a crossover classical, Taylor NS34CE, and it has no inlays on the fretboard and I don't believe it has side markers on it, so I get used to it when I play it.

I also agree that when you are learning from watching someone else play, that is, "reading hands," fret markers do help.

Regards, Glenn

Steve, I'm on YOUR side. I'm not gonna sit here and tell you it's tradition, slide trombones aren't marked, play with your eyes closed, or violins don't have fret markers. It's gonna be your guitar, paid for with your money, so if you want fret markings, you should have 'em.

You can do your own fret marking on the fret board binding with a small (3/32") drill bit and a small dab of wood filler in brown or white....whichever looks the best. Very carefully, drill a very shallow hole and fill it with the wood filler. Wipe off the excess before it dries and and you're done. I did the same thing to one of mine and nobody knows they're there except me. I marked the binding at the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, and 12th frets......just like all my other guitars.

Tradition?? Man, I've been known to grab mine and use a thumb pick to play some blues on it. Is that tradition? Make your own rules!

They are a convenience on the side of the fingerboard, but not a necessity. I find that position markers on the face of the fingerboard are only useful when you are playing with others and need a quick reference to what they are playing or if they are trying to show you how to play something. Other than that, they are useless to me as well. One thing I did happen to stumble upon recently which taught me that position markers, and even frets, can be totally useless... a fretless bass. I borrowed a Breedlove acoustic fretless bass and took it home for a few days and I was astounded how easy my ears and fingers found the notes after only a few minutes of play time on the instrument. Although I play a little bass, I am by NO means a bass player and I was able to play this instrument as easily as my own Parker. I had always assumed the transition would be monumental, when in actuality it was trivial... much like every Classical I've played without side position markers. After you get used to the scale length, your fingers just do the walking and find the notes and chords like they normally do.

Good point, David. Although a well-trained ear takes care of that, too, and that, I think, is the key.

Larry, I appreciate you sharing your thoughts. I'm afraid I have to get back to the shop, so I really don't have time to respond to them individually, so I'll just say I respectfully disagree with almost everything you said. :) Good to have various viewpoints, though, for sure!

To say "tradition" implies that it is without reason. But there is a reason, which is that classical musicians are expected to be able to read music and play at the same time.

I like the side markers. They are sometimes helpful. That said, I have an S. Yairi Classical guitar that has no markers and I manage OK.

If the O.P. feels that he needs side markers, they are easily added. Stewart-McDonald has 6" long pieces of 1/16" plastic marker rod that can be used to add them. The material comes in white and black.

Funny but I agree with just about everything Larry posted. But I agree with you in that there are various viewpoints to most things.

Many classical teachers will not allow students to use guitars with markers. they feel it is a crutch that should be romoved in the early learning stages. Some classicals have dots at the 7th fret, in the edge of the board, and I put them on mine, because I like it, and you cannot see the fretboard if you are holding the guitar in a proper playing position. Classical players often look at their hands while they play, because it is more professional looking than glaring at an audience with a goofy face pasted on your mug. It also assures that you are making the best possible contact with the strings, which promotes the absolute best tone from the instrument.

Howard's point is good too, as classical players often play in ensemble or orchestral situations where they have to read music while they play, and are unable to watch their hands, except for short moments, and for big position switches.