I'm off to this guitar festival and have just checked the list of things I'm supposed to take. It includes things like plectrums and capos, which I don't generally use (nothing wrong with barre's and fingers, I say!). It's a classical weekend - is there a strand of classical work that involves using this kind of equipment? Sorry, this probably seems a dum question, but because I'm largely self-taught, I worry that I might have missed out on big chunks of crucial knowledge somewhere along the way!

Hi Meerkat

I'm no expert but I've been to lots of classical guitar concerts and I've never used and have never seen a performer use these items to play classical.

Why don't you call them just to make sure?

I hope you have a great time and would really be interested to know what goes on so do let me know. I didn't enrol partly because I didn't have the bottle to but also because I've lost a bit of motivation recently.

G

Sometimes I wish I had a capo for my violin

Hmmmm...that all sounds a little "folky" to me. Have they asked you to pack the "Wayfarin' Stranger" song book, cans of Camra approved ale and a pig's bladder on a stick by any chance...in which case you could just be booked into the wrong festival.

lol Jane. No, I think the list is perhaps designed for the whole festival, which includes a folk bit and a rock bit.

OK, I'll happily ignore those bits of the list!

I must remember to take an alarm clock. For years I've relied on the fact that my daughter wakes at 6am to get me out of bed in the morning. I'm not sure my body even knows how to wake itself anymore!

Gwu, I'll definitely let you know how it goes. I'm all excited about it now! If it's good, and I go again, we'll have to get you there next year.

I would take a capo for definite.
I recall watching a duet once ( well more of a duel really ) with John Williams and Paco Delucia, and one of them was playing with a pick I just can't remember which one.

I don't think you'll be breaking the bank buying a few plecs and a half-decent capo.

Take 'em just in case.

So what was the outcome of the question over capos and picks? It sounds like it was a general reminder if there were players of other styles on the course - was it Bath by any chance? But its worthy of note that if you are going to do lute music then a capo will be helpful. Picks are not needed for any standard classical material or technique.

Nope, no picks and capos needed!

It was a fantastic course though. Had lots of fun. And definitely improved my playing and my confidence. (There's something nice about a really good guitarist telling you you're an 'advanced player'. *preen*)