writing for guitar

Hi, I'm not a guitar player but am writing a guitar concerto (perhaps than I shouldn't but ...). Sibelius, the notation proram, has a plug-in to check the double stops for the strings (I found out recently). Does something similar exists for the guitar, to find out whether everything is playable ? Or are there some (short) guidelines somewhere available ? Kind regards.

Easiest thing? Actually think about the fretboard, because it's just simply easier than trusting a computer.

Write out the fretboard (Or use a guitar) and find out where your chord lays on it. If it's awkward, think about changing it; if not, then don't. You can easily play minor 2nds, but tone clusters get extremely hard very quickly.

You don't have the same limitations that a curved bridge gives you like on a violin -- you can have a chord that's only strings 1 and 4.

To me, the guitar has always been the hardest instrument to write for. If you don't play it yourself, it's very easy to write something really awkward and I find it much less intuitive than most other instruments to "just work it out in your head". I'd definitely go with Ferkungamabooboo's advice and work with a visual fretboard. If you have some guitar available, even better; even if you can't play it yourself you can still try out some basic things.

But if you want to write an actual guitar concerto and don't know how to play the guitar yourself (or are very experienced writing for guitar), I think it's almost a necessity to get the help of a guitarist to try out your stuff and advise you. But if you don't know anyone, I'm sure there are enough skilled guitarists on this forum who'd be willing to look at your stuff.

Thanks Ferkungamabooboo and Gardener for the advice. I will firstly look myself and once I have revised the piece, post it here somewhere for further comments on the playability.

I am a guitarist and would be willing to look at your stuff.

As for your question.. the above given advice is sound.

This may help.

http://www.guitarmadeez.com/pics/fretboard.gif

I am a guitarist and would be willing to look at your stuff.

As for your question.. the above given advice is sound.

Thanks a lot, I will ask you then after a first revision.

This may help.

http://www.guitarmadeez.com/pics/fretboard.gif

Certainly. Thanks.

A few people have contributed to this article on the topic of guitar writing -> Guitar - Wiki

It could do with some attention, but the miscellaneous information there may be helpful.

Even with the fretboard you still can write unplayable things, or uncomfortable positions, (position changes) ... I don't know where you live but where I live you can find very cheap guitars (About $15 dls) they are not good of course but you can use, no matter if you don't play or if you "won't" play guitar, you still can use it for getting a better idea of what are you writing for.... it will open your mind more...

would you like a second opinion? I do alot of transcriptions and such that are really awkward for the guitar to play so I have a pretty good idea about that.

The idea is to basically get the melody or harmony in the same position as the bass notes, it can be a pretty large stretch or even an awkward chord grouping, because we just get used to it. Esp. someone at the level of concerto's. But nothing too insane. That's the no.1 limitation of the guitar but also why it's so interesting to compose for. Basically if the entire things consists of chords straight from the piano the performer will piss off. also You can write in quick position changes if needed.

would you like a second opinion? I do alot of transcriptions and such that are really awkward for the guitar to play so I have a pretty good idea about that.

The idea is to basically get the melody or harmony in the same position as the bass notes, it can be a pretty large stretch or even an awkward chord grouping, because we just get used to it. Esp. someone at the level of concerto's. But nothing too insane. That's the no.1 limitation of the guitar but also why it's so interesting to compose for. Basically if the entire things consists of chords straight from the piano the performer will piss off. also You can write in quick position changes if needed.

Thanks of lot. I will firstly revise the piece and then I may contact you.

If you want any extra guitarists to try it out and see if it's playable, I'd be happy to check it out for you. :)

If you want any extra guitarists to try it out and see if it's playable, I'd be happy to check it out for you. :)

Thanks a lot. I will do.