How do you say guitar in Spanish?

The word for guitar in Spanish is La Guitarra.

What is the Spanish guitar?

The term "Spanish guitar" is used mainly in two ways. First, it refers to the instrument. This is also known as a classical guitar. The classical or Spanish guitar is an acoustic instrument made of wood. And it has guitar strings made of nylon. Traditionally, these strings were made of gut (animal intestine). These are the precursors to today's steel-string acoustic guitar and electric guitar. "Spanish guitar" also refers to a style of music from Spain. These songs (pieces) are written to play on the classical guitar. And it often stems from the Flamenco guitar-playing tradition. Flamenco guitar uses Spanish guitar scales (and Spanish guitar chords and strumming.) to create a characteristic sound. We often instantly recognize this when we hear it played.

How do you learn to play Spanish guitar as a beginner?

You can begin to learn Spanish guitar through lessons. Either alone, with a teacher, or online.

How do you tune a Spanish guitar?

In standard tuning, the Spanish guitar strings are tuned to the notes: E A D G B E (low to high sounding). This is true to tune a Spanish guitar or to tune an acoustic guitar. There are other Spanish guitar tunings, but standard tuning is most common. Using a digital tuner, any guitar tuner will likely work. There is no special “Spanish guitar tuner”. To tune a Spanish guitar, we use the same process as electric or acoustic guitar.

Spanish Guitar Songs for Guitar – Free Sheet Music and TABs

Q: How do you play the Spanish guitar?

The Spanish (classical) guitar uses chords in songs to create layers of melody and harmony. It was derived from the Spanish vihuela and gittern (historic instruments) back in the 1400-1500s. Through the following centuries, it morphed into the Baroque guitar. And eventually, it became the classical or Spanish guitar we find so many people playing today all over the world.

Ah, the passion and fire of Spanish guitar music! It heats the blood and stirs the senses. And to play Spanish music on guitar is a fun challenge. There are special techniques and movements. But very rewarding and fulfilling. Below you’ll find free sheet music and TABs to download, as well as more on Spanish guitar. Scroll down for PDFs of Spanish Guitar TABs and notation.

What is a “Spanish Guitar”?

Pierre-Auguste Renoir / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

The term “Spanish guitar” is used mainly in two ways. First, it refers to the instrument. This is also known as a classical guitar. The classical or Spanish guitar is an acoustic instrument made of wood. And it has guitar strings made of nylon. Traditionally, these strings were made of gut (animal intestine). These are the precursors to today’s steel-string acoustic guitar and electric guitar.

The classical (Spanish) guitar uses chords in songs to create layers of melody and harmony. It was derived from the Spanish vihuela and gittern (historic instruments) back in the 1400-1500s. Through the following centuries, it morphed into the Baroque guitar. And eventually, it became the classical or Spanish guitar we find so many people playing today.

Spanish Guitar Music

“Spanish guitar” also refers to a style of music from Spain. These songs (pieces) are written to play on the classical guitar. And it often stems from the Flamenco guitar-playing tradition. Flamenco guitar uses Spanish guitar scales (and Spanish guitar chords and strumming.) to create a characteristic sound. We often instantly recognize this when we hear it played.

Many composers throughout Western Europe were influenced by Spanish guitar. For example, composers such as Scarlatti and Ravel have composed in the Spanish style. The Spanish sound has captured the hearts and creativity of players and listeners alike. And it has also been very influential on Latin music from the Americas (which Spain colonized). This is perhaps best heard in Argentinian tango.

For centuries throughout Europe, the term “Spanish” was used to refer to most anything sensual or evocative. This included (along with brothels and suggestive dances) guitar. So the phrase “Spanish guitar” is sometimes used in relationship to music that is not from Spain. But it is usually played on the nylon-string guitar.

Spanish Guitar Songs – in Notation and TABs

Below you’ll find free PDFs of Spanish guitar songs. These Spanish guitar TABs can be played on any guitar, but sound best and most “Spanish” on nylon-stringed guitar. Please print, play and share these freely. If you are a teacher, you are free to use them privately with your students. Where appropriate, please attribute the arrangements to ClassicalGuitarShed.com, or Allen Mathews, and link to https://classicalguitarshed.com/. Enjoy playing these!

If you have any recommendations of Spanish guitar TABs and pieces to add to this collection, please reach out and let us know! We’re always on the lookout for great Spanish guitar songs.

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Want to go more in-depth into the music of Spain? Consider a premium course. You’ll go note by note, mastering the moves. And you’ll get detailed lessons on phrasing and expression, so you play it beautifully.

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Popular Spanish Songs to Play

Spanish Romance – Anonymous

Spanish Romance – composer unknown

One of the most famous songs for guitar. Much of the piece is fairly easy to play. But you will find a barre chord combined with a rather wicked little-finger stretch. Spanish Romance uses the whole guitar neck, but if with the Spanish Romance TABs, you can find the notes easily.

Click here for the Spanish Romance TABs and notation.
Click for the full Study Guide to Spanish Romance (Romanza)

Malaguena – Ernesto Lecuona

Malaguena – by Ernesto Lecuona

A very fun and popular song to play. The first and third sections are easy, and are great for learning common Spanish guitar techniques.

Click here for the Malgueña sheet music and TABs
Click here for the full course on Malaguena.

Lagrima – Francisco Tarrega

Lagrima – by Francisco Tarrega

One of the best examples of Spanish classical guitar. A slow ballad that’s extremely popular with guitarists.

Click here for the Lagrima TABs and sheets.
Click here for the full course on Lagrima, by Francisco Tarrega.

Hi, I’m Allen Mathews.

I started as a folk guitarist, then fell in love with classical guitar in my 20’s. Despite a lot of practice and schooling, I still couldn’t get my music to flow well. I struggled with excess tension. My music sounded forced. And my hands and body were often sore. I got frustrated, and couldn’t see the way forward. Then, over the next decade, I studied with two other stellar teachers – one focused on the technical movements, and one on the musical (he was a concert pianist). In time, I came to discover a new set of formulas and movements. These brought new life and vitality to my practice. Now I help guitarists find more comfort and flow in their music, so they play more beautifully.
Click here for a sample formula.

Allen Mathews was recommended to me as somebody who could help me expand my guitar vocabulary. Allen started me on a really fun cycle of lessons and practice. He is a very good and very enthusiastic teacher, and I feel that I'm on the road to learning. I couldn't be more pleased with my experience.

-Peter Buck, R.E.M.

Thanks to you (you are my only teacher) in only a few months I've gone from very basic beginner pieces to having just completed learning Bach's Gavottes 1&2 in good form and execution. As a non-classical electric guitarist who has always used a pick and never his fingers, this has been no small feat!

-Gregg Olson

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