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.
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.
