Acoustic, Classical, or Electric Guitar?
Acoustic guitar, classical guitar, or electric guitar? Which guitar do you choose? These are the three most common styles of guitars, and as a beginner guitarist, you might not have a clue what any of these are or which style is right for you. While you can learn how to play the guitar using any of these three options, choosing the right type of guitar can depend on numerous factors, such as your personal preferences, music taste, playing style, and your goals as a musician. Here is a brief overview of each style to help you make an informed decision.
Acoustic Guitar: Acoustic guitars are a safe choice for any aspiring guitarist, as they are used in almost every genre of music. They are known for their warm, bright, and natural sound, and don’t require any extra pieces of equipment in order to play - making them a great portable instrument. In contrast, acoustic guitars can be challenging to play in the beginning stages of learning due to their larger body, wider neck, and thicker strings.
Classical Guitar: Classical guitars are often mistaken for acoustic guitars among beginners, as their ascetics are similar. These guitars have a distinctive sound and playing style. Classical guitars are usually smaller than acoustic guitars and use nylon strings rather than steel - giving them a softer and more mellow tone. Latin and classical music genres will typically feature the classical guitar if the use of guitar is included in the song. These guitars can be great for beginner guitarists. You’ll experience less soreness on your fingers due to the nylon strings, however, the neck of the guitar can be thicker than an acoustic, and you may encounter limitations when learning to play other styles of music.
Electric Guitar: Like the acoustic guitar, the electric guitar can be used in nearly any genre of music. Whether you’re looking for a crisp clean tone, a heavily distorted tone, or something right in the middle, the electric guitar is incredibly versatile. However, a guitar amplifier will be needed along with a cable in order to produce these sounds. If you're someone who wants to personalize a guitar to make it an "extension of you", then the electric guitar will be your best option. This could be as simple as choosing a certain body shape or colour, or as specific as choosing your pickups, a certain style of bridge, etc. For beginner guitarists and children, an electric guitar is a considerable option because of its smaller body frame, thinner neck, and lighter strings.
Ultimately, which type of guitar you choose is totally dependent on your personal preference and your goals as an aspiring musician. It’s important to try out different types of guitars, and have discussions with experienced guitarists, guitar instructors, and music store professionals to help you make the best decision based on your needs.