Classical Guitar vs. Acoustic Guitar: Which One Is for You?

 

This is a guest post from Heinz Lewis. Indie Obsessive welcomes Heinz and appreciates the contribution.

Every musician has to start somewhere. For most, that means choosing an instrument.

But for those who decided to go the guitar route, have you ever thought about which type of guitar you’d like to play? A classical vs. acoustic guitar possesses a unique sound and feel, so it's crucial to pick the right one for you.

Whether you’re interested in learning classical guitar or acoustic guitar is more your style, keep reading to know which is the perfect guitar for your musical aspirations.

Appearance

Classical guitars tend to be much larger than acoustic ones, with wider necks and deeper bodies. Their soundboards are also larger, allowing for a richer tone when played. Likewise, it has a decorative piece called a rosette to add visual appeal.

Compared to classical guitars, acoustic guitars have narrower necks and simpler bodies. Plus, they include binding around the scroll for added visual interest.

Neck

When it comes to choosing a guitar, one of the first things people notice is the neck style.

On the surface, the classical and acoustic guitars may seem quite similar. Both feature a solid body and six strings for specific pitches.

But the standard classical guitar has a wider neck than its acoustic counterpart. This makes it easier for musicians to play barre chords or intricate arpeggios.

Classical vs. Acoustic Guitar Strings

The strings are an essential factor for the distinct sound of each type of guitar. That said, classical guitars have nylon strings, producing a soft and mellow sound.

Nylon string guitars are also softer and less likely to break than steel strings on an acoustic guitar. It is also much easier to press down.

Nylon strings are ideal for beginners wanting clean-sounding notes.

In contrast, the acoustic guitar has steel strings, creating a bright sound and a rich tone.

These two guitars' tension is also different on classical and acoustic guitars. Classical guitars have lower pressure.

But even if both guitar strings are made in other materials, you can still use them to play a variety of musical genres.

Here are some strings you can use on a nylon string guitar.

      ●     Bass strings
●     Treble strings
●     Gut strings

Bridge

The bridge is one of the essential parts of the guitar. It supports the strings and transfers their vibrations to the instrument's body.

Classical guitar has a classic wrap-around bridge. In comparison, the acoustic guitar has a modern bridge.

Strumming Techniques

Strumming the guitar is an essential skill for any musician. There are a variety of strumming techniques you can use.

For classical guitars, a common technique is to use the thumb and first two fingers of the right hand to pluck the strings. The thumb is typically used for fingerpicking the lowest-pitched string. Then, your first and second fingers pluck the higher-pitched strings.

On the other hand, the most common strumming pattern in acoustic guitars is the "down-up-down-up." This pattern varies in several ways, such as strumming down all six-string at once. But you can also only strum down on the lower four strings.

Chords and the Fretboard

There is always a set of chords that will work with the melody and rhythm you are trying to create. So knowing the arrangement of chords on the fretboard is vital if you want to learn guitar.

You can learn many different chord types, each with a unique sound and feel. The basic chord shapes you can learn as beginners include:

      ●     Triads
●     Power chords
●     Barre chords
●     7th chord
●     Major and minor chords

Compared to acoustic guitars, classical guitars have broader frets. And if you're planning to play some classical music or flamenco, this instrument is perfect.

Genres

Classical and acoustic guitars are versatile instruments. And you can use them in a wide range of musical genres.

You can hear a classical guitar in all types of genres, including:

      ●     Classical Music: John Williams and Andres Segovia pioneered classical guitar into the mainstream classical world.
●     Flamenco Guitars: The flamenco guitar is a fascinating style of music, full of passion and energy.
●     Bossa Nova: Bossa Nova is a fun and energetic style of music that originated in Brazil in the 1950s. Its percussive rhythms and catchy melodies became popular among jazz performers.

Meanwhile, acoustic guitars have long been essential parts of popular music genres like:

      ●     Folk
●     Country music
●     Pop music

If you are a beginner, start with the classical guitar since it is relatively easy to learn for many guitarists. It is an excellent choice for anyone just starting as a guitarist.