Total agreement about learning and expanding one's self. It was said earlier someone couldn't see how studying the classical guitar would benefit them as a surf player. My jaw just may as well hit the floor. The classical is thee guitar. It is literally called that by purists. So you don't pick it rapidly with a plectrum- that doesn't make everything else about it unrelated. Can't see the benefit of learning new chords? Or learning to play faster? Gaining fretboard finger strength and stretching those fingers where you normally don't have to? How about the feeling of how easy the electric feels to play when setting the classical down and picking up the electric? How about not treading in a pool of just what you know right now and saying "good enough" so why learn anything beyond this?

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Stormtiger
You got half of my post right. I stand by my statement that classical guitar techniques don't really help in surf, totally different use of both hands. I also said it would take you beyond surf music. It is much more difficult, complex and richer, playing the bass, melody and chords all at the same time. You don't need to study classical music to learn new chords and grow. Take a class in theory. Practice of any style will improve your playing, not just classical. Do we really care what "purists" think of surf music and those who play it?

I'm afraid that I have to disagree. I can't imagine why fingerings for scales used in Classical music would not be valid in Surf music. A lot of Surf is in a harmonic minor tone center so I can see no reason whatsoever that a classically-schooled approach to those scales would hinder you in any way. One of the things I find most admirable is a playr that actually knows the ins and outs of minor keys, I've heard plenty that don't.

I also don't understand why you feel that classically trained musicians are "purists" and why their opinions are of no value. Many classically trained musicians are anything but stuffy and many have broad tastes in music. I've listened to some classical music and have some classical training. I also listen to Dick Dale, ZZ Top, Stevie Ray Vaughan and any number of other artists that are not at all involved in classical music. I don't see these players as some lower strata of musician, different styles of music are accessed through different paths. When I wanted to study classical guitar I started at Aaron shear, when I wanted to study Blues I listened to Blues players but I discovered something very interesting; some of these Blues guys know a lot more than Blues. On BB King's instructional DVD he demonstrates some Charlie Christian material and obviously knows his scales forward and backward. Maybe he just plays a single stinging note to punctuate between lines but I assure you he can hold his own with skilled musicians in other areas of music.

One thing to remember is that ALL music of the last 200 years or so owes much of its existence to the inventions of classical masters. The I/VI/IV/V pattern that is a staple of slow Rock tunes dates back at least to Mozart. His 40th symphony also has some punchy II/V changes in it. I see a lot or classical influence in Surf tunes and IIRC there have been some Surf versions of classical pieces over the years. I just don't see this as a them vs. us situation.

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

synchro
I'm afraid that I have to disagree. I can't imagine why fingerings for scales used in Classical music would not be valid in Surf music. A lot of Surf is in a harmonic minor tone center so I can see no reason whatsoever that a classically-schooled approach to those scales would hinder you in any way.

I also don't understand why you feel that classically trained musicians are "purists" and why their opinions are of no value. Many classically trained musicians are anything but stuffy and many have broad tastes in music.
One thing to remember is that ALL music of the last 200 years or so owes much of its existence to the inventions of classical masters.

I think you should re-read my post. Fingering scales has nothing to do with it. Scales are used in other genres too. I'm talking technique. I never said studying classical guitar would hinder anything, in fact I said it would take you well beyond surf. I don't know how you got that from my post.
I did not call classical musicians "purists", Jetpack said that and I used quotation marks. I certainly never suggested their opinions are of no value. I'm well acquainted with the history of Western Music and it is much older than 200 years--that was Beethoven's time, pretty late in the scheme of things.

Jetpack
Have to correct you there, (but I am not upset about how it was taken). The PURISTS label was not to classify classical musicians if you go back and look.

If you go back and look at my post, I didn't refer to classical musicians as purists either.
I responded to this: "It is literally called that (thee guitar) by purists."
with: "Do we really care what "purists" think of surf music and those who play it?"
You are going to have a hell of time convincing the world that electric guitar isn't a guitar, and there wouldn't be much point in trying after 80 or so years. The name of this site would have to change, I wonder what you would call it? A mandolin has 8 strings, a fixed bridge, frets and uses a plectrum, not to mention a very different shape. Quite a different beast from a violin.

Jetpack
Show one a mandolin with F- holes, fan bracing, hollow sound chamber, same woods, same scale length..he'd say it must be a different kind of violin, but a guitar with the above vs. some solid piece of wood and and wires, chrome plates(!) and knobs... seems like a wholly different device.

While I'm at it, let me explain so people don't get too into it with each other over my comment that surf guys may dig classical guitar playing. I didn't even necessarily even mean performing. I mean even surf fans that don't play may like classical guitar pieces that I have in mind. Look at it this way:
Hey Pal! You like guitar tunes? You like short little two or three minute pieces? Howz about some Spanish or Mexican sounding ditties in A minor or E minor?

That's why the name Electric Guitar was given-- same instrument, new technology...just like electric pianos.
Baroque violins differed from those of the classical era too but they have the same name.
I do agree that a lot of guitarists who like surf music would probably enjoy listening to or playing classical pieces, they are both very structured with a strong melody. I guess you could say that about all guitarists.

Stormtiger
I do agree that a lot of guitarists who like surf music would probably enjoy listening to or playing classical pieces, they are both very structured with a strong melody. I guess you could say that about all guitarists.

And I'd say a lot of surf guitarists would really dislike a good portion of classical music. Messiaen, Bartok, Penderecki, Cage. Or most pieces written for classical guitar during the 20th century.

Pyronauts

PolloGuitar
Ferenc is one helluvah melodica player!!!

Best ever!

As to differing techniques just watch the right hand of a classical player ...for the best part its almost static....while the right hand of the Flamenco player?...is up and down like a demented spider?

Being new to surf instros what I have noticed..and TBF,due to not having heard a great deal.. I may well be wrong is the use of the Phrygian mode.....something very Flameco.

Am I right??

I may be a Brit but don't dress like that or are you suggesting I'm a teacher,dear boy??

......I hate young people.

Quite So,Dear Boy,Quite So....but I speak with an accent more akin to Jack the Ripper!!

Anyway the lot you refer to are so in-bred...they are dying out...so it wont be long!!