For beginning guitarists, it is very important to choose the right instrument to play. And here many people have a question about what acoustic guitar different from the classic one. At first glance, they are absolutely identical. But that's not true. And any guitarist will confirm this. After all, there really are big differences between “acoustic” and “classical”. These are practically two different musical instruments. And beginners need to figure out how they differ in order to determine what kind of guitar they need: acoustic or classical. So, below are the most significant differences between these musical instruments.
How is it different from the classic one?
Motherland classical guitar s is Spain. Moreover, from the 18th century to the present day, its original appearance has been preserved. came to us much later, somewhere at the beginning of the 20th century. This musical instrument was invented due to the need to enhance the sound of a classical instrument from the stage.
If you put these two instruments side by side, you will immediately see how an acoustic guitar differs from a classical guitar - size. Acoustic is much larger than classical. Since it was intended for stage performances, its body is enlarged and metal strings are used. The classical ones sound much quieter and softer.
The difference between an acoustic guitar and a classical one
lies in the structure of the neck. "Acoustics" has a wooden neck, inside of which a steel anchor is installed. This is done to compensate for string tension and temperature changes. In addition, the anchor adjusts the distance between the neck and the strings. The classic one is completely wooden, and it is much wider than the acoustic one. The tuning mechanism also differs between instruments.
Due to differences in designs, the areas where guitars are used also differ. Classic is more suitable for performance classical music or Spanish motives. It is on such instruments that guitar skills are taught in music schools. Acoustic is great for street songs, pop music, rock, etc.
The main differences between acoustic and classical guitars
1. Acoustic guitar is a broader concept than classical guitar. Classical is one of the types of acoustic. Types of acoustic guitar also include Russian (seven-string), Hawaiian (four-string), jumbo and others.
2. A classical guitar only has 6 strings. And this number is unchanged. An acoustic instrument can have a different number of strings (from 4 to 12).
3. The classical guitar is played without a pick. Due to the features that the body of such a musical instrument has, the sound is soft, quiet, but not dull. A pick is often used with an acoustic guitar to make it sound louder. Especially with some types of acoustic instruments - these include, for example, the so-called dreadnought.
So, now it’s clear how an acoustic guitar differs from a classical one. And these differences are not so small. Therefore, when choosing your musical instrument, you need to have a firm idea of what exactly it is intended for.
Comparison of classical and acoustic guitar.
IN modern world make large number string instruments, and they are all intended for different purposes, even if they look similar to each other. Sometimes the differences between two outwardly similar instruments are much greater than, for example, between a fox and a wolf. Today we will compare two completely different types of guitars. So, what is the difference between an acoustic and a classical guitar? (In fact, both guitars are acoustic in sound properties. It’s just that over time the name “acoustics” was assigned to the pop guitar).
Appearance and structure
Sometimes external similarities These guitars cause beginners to confuse them, but first impressions can be deceiving. If you examine both instruments carefully, you will find the following differences:
1.
The body of a Western (acoustic) guitar is slightly larger and more massive than that of a classical (Spanish) guitar.
2.
The neck of a classical guitar is wider, for comfortable movement of the fingers of the left hand. And Western ones are narrower, which makes it easier to play chords.
3.
The “Spanish flue” does not have a plastic cover on the body (however, the acoustics may not have it either, so this is not their main external difference).
4.
The neck of classical guitars does not have a metal rod (truss rod), which is another reason why it is much wider and thicker.
5.
Acoustics often have a cutout in the body for convenient playing on the last frets (high notes).
6.
The main difference is the material from which the strings are made. Classical guitars have nylon strings, while Western guitars have metal strings.
Methods of sound extraction. Sound
“Spanish flu” is intended for finger playing; a pick is used extremely rarely, since the softness of the nylon strings does not allow playing, for example, with a variable stroke. In the history of music, there are guitarists who use everything, from fingernails to a bow, but these are all isolated cases that should not be emulated. Nylon strings in combination with finger playing they give a soft and pleasant timbre.
An acoustic guitar is not limited in terms of sound production methods. Everyone is allowed to play such an instrument: with fingers, a pick, fingerpicks, nails, a coin, and anything that is comfortable to hold in your hand. Metal strings and a voluminous body allow you to produce a bright acoustic sound.
Purpose and application
Acoustics are used for playing different genres music, this type of guitar is popular among rock musicians, singers of chanson, blues and others. Loud metal strings are perfect for playing accompaniment chords and solo parts. A guitarist most often prefers to perform standing, so special straps are made for this instrument that support the instrument in a canopy.
The Spanish guitar is perfect for playing classical music. Playing such an instrument is taught in higher education institutions. musical institutions and music schools. The guitar is used in orchestras and for variety performance. In most cases, playing the classical guitar occurs in a sitting position. At this point, the guitarist holds the instrument on his left knee, and under this leg there is a stand for a comfortable position.
Technique
For the left hand, the execution techniques are almost the same, but Western still has more techniques used. In case right hand everything is much different. Classical guitars most often use the following techniques: flamenco, pizzicato, bartok, tambor, campanella and others. All these techniques are performed with the hand (fingers), without using a mediator.
Acoustic prefers: chord technique, picking, finger/fingerstyle, slap, tapping, piano technique, rasgueado, etc.
Recording notes for guitar and tablature
My subscribers often ask me if my tabs and notes of songs for guitar are suitable for classical music if I perform them on an acoustic guitar. In terms of notation for guitar, notation, and tabs, there is no difference between acoustic and classical guitars. Everything is the same. The differences are primarily related to sound. For example, in my transcriptions such as Behind Blue Eyes or B last autumn and some others, there is a game of combat. Nylon strings are not intended for strumming, so the sound will be less bright than metal strings.
Another nuance is the width of the neck. On an acoustic, the neck is narrower, and some chords will be easier to play than on a classical one, because the strings are located closer to each other. But there is also another side to the coin. On an acoustic guitar, due to the proximity of the strings to each other, it happens that the fingers muffle the sound of the adjacent string, touching it. The classical guitar does not have this problem. The conclusion is this. Any tabs and notes for guitar that are on my website are suitable for any guitar, by the way, even electric.
Let's summarize. Both instruments presented in comparison have their own history, their own special methods of performance, as well as differences in the method of producing sound. But at the same time, these two types of guitars have a lot in common. And in some cases they may be interchangeable.
Here you can download both sheet music for acoustic guitar songs and classical transcriptions by famous composers.
Music is that beautiful thing that makes the heart happy. It appeared at the dawn of humanity, when people learned to make musical instruments. At first they were extraordinary and easy to use. But over time, the instruments were modernized and became what we see them now.
The guitar is one of the most popular instruments. She can captivate people with her sound. Playing the guitar is an art that not everyone has. The most popular view This instrument has become acoustic guitars, which are too similar to the classical version. In this connection, many people do not understand how an acoustic guitar differs from a classical one.
History of origin
The guitar appeared as a musical instrument in the 18th century in Spain. Therefore, she was often called by the nickname “Spanish Flu”. This instrument did not attract listeners, since it was believed that the guitar could only be used for accompaniment. But over time, an acoustic guitar was made that was louder in sound than its predecessors, and won its place on the stage.
The guitar is a Spanish instrument that is made from selected wood. The craftsmen who create them are very meticulous about this process. It takes a lot of effort to choose the right tree. And in order for these boards to be ready for production, it is necessary to wait and dry them for about five years. Each part of the guitar is made from a different type of wood. No two instruments are the same; each one is unique. In ancient times, the strings of the ancestors of the guitar were made from animal entrails, which were stretched and produced sound.
Now there are many varieties of this instrument. There are two main types: acoustic and non-acoustic. Acoustic guitars are those that do not require an amplifier, but non-acoustic guitars require special equipment.
Varieties
Guitars are divided depending on the number of strings into six-string instruments (the most common), seven-string and twelve-string instruments. All of them are used for different types compositions. The following types of guitar can also be distinguished:
- Classic.
- Just acoustic.
- Electroacoustic.
- Electric guitar.
- Bass guitar.
How is an acoustic guitar different from a classical guitar?
The classical guitar is a subtype of the acoustic guitar. Appearance is probably the main difference between a classical guitar and an acoustic one. The photo showing both types of guitars confirms this. At first glance, it is difficult to notice, but if you look closely, you can see that the body, neck, and even the strings themselves are different.
The neck of an acoustic guitar is slightly narrower than classic version. Therefore, it is more difficult to learn to play this instrument. Accordingly, the body of the guitar is larger. It is very convenient to play such instruments by strumming rather than strumming. The strings are metal, they produce a long, drawn-out sound.
The difference between a classical guitar and an acoustic guitar is visible if you pay attention to the strings. The main difference is that classical instruments most often have nylon strings, less often metal. Another difference between an acoustic guitar and a classical one is that classical guitars are mostly played for plays and romances. That is, they use brute force. The works of classics sound wonderful on it: Mozart, Beethoven and other composers.
This guitar is not designed to accommodate changing strings. If it was originally nylon ones, they cannot be changed, otherwise the instrument will simply deteriorate. Acoustic guitars, as a rule, have metal strings, and they can be easily replaced with nylon ones.
In a classical guitar, the emphasis is on the 3 lower strings, which produce high notes. But on an acoustic 3, the upper strings are important, since they are good for emphasizing the rhythm when playing strumming. This factor is significant and shows how an acoustic guitar differs from a classical one.
Which tool should you choose?
If you have a great desire to learn how to play the guitar, you need to decide which variety to purchase. The difference between an acoustic guitar and a classical guitar is small. But still, it is better for beginners to give preference to studying on a classical instrument, since it has a comfortable body and a wide neck. On such an instrument it is easier to rearrange chords, and soft strings easier to sort through. How an acoustic guitar differs from a classical guitar is not so important. The main thing, remember, to learn to play this instrument, you need to be a diligent student. It will take a lot of time to practice, but it will be worth it. After all, when you hear the first song performed by yourself, all past difficulties with learning fade into the background.
Although both are guitars, the difference between a classical and a regular acoustic guitar is quite significant. Let's figure out how they differ.
Main differences:
- Strings
- Tree
- Method of attaching strings to the body
- Neck width
- Tool dimensions/shape
- Strings
An acoustic guitar has steel strings with or without braid, while a classical guitar has nylon strings. Perhaps this is the most important thing in which acoustics and classical differ.
Naturally, the sensations when playing these guitars are completely different, nylon and steel strings also sound differently, which is why these guitars are used in different styles music. Nylon strings are softer, but it cannot be said that a classical guitar is easier to play. There are many nuances there, and any instrument will require long hours of practice before you start to get something more or less pleasant-sounding.
Iron strings are heard in popular songs. Almost everywhere. Nylon is used less often, usually if you need some kind of Spanish or oriental mood in the composition.
Of course, both sounds great, there are no rules. Whatever suits you best is what you use. Nylon sounds softer. Iron is more percussive and sounds good with strumming and picking.
Tree
Although some types of wood are used to build both acoustic and classical guitars, there are a few important differences.
The most popular types of wood for acoustic guitars are:
- Sitka spruce (front)
- Engelmann spruce (front)
- Red Spruce (front)
- Mahogany (used in both body and neck)
- Entandrophragm cylindrical or sapele (used both in the body and in the neck)
- Acacia or koa (front, back and sides)
- Maple (back and sides)
- Walnut (back and sides)
- Cherry (back and sides)
- Cedar (front, also used on classical guitars)
- Macassar ebony (back and sides - rarely used)
- Tasmanian Ebony (back and sides - rarely used)
The most popular types of wood for classical guitars:
- Cedar (front)
- Spruce - different varieties, but Engelman is the most popular (front deck)
- Mahogany (front, back and sides)
- Maple (front, back and sides)
- Rosewood (back and sides)
- Entandrophragm cylindrical or sapele (back deck and sides)
- Cocobolo (back and sides)
- Acacia or koa (back and sides)
As you can see, there are differences and this affects the sound character of the instrument.
Method of attaching strings to the body of a guitar
There are 2 main ways to attach strings to the body of a guitar, as well as 2 types of strings - with balls at the end and without balls.
Strings “with balls” are usually placed on acoustics; there are special holes in the body of the guitar into which the end of the string with a ball is inserted and then clamped with a special peg. The ball prevents the string from jumping out of the guitar body.
There are also nylon strings with balls, but they are not hidden in the guitar, but are inserted into the saddle. Usually nylon strings come without balls and are simply wrapped around the nut like this.
Neck width
On classical guitars this is usually 2” (50 mm) and above
On acoustic ones - 43 mm (1 11/16”) or 44 mm (1 ¾”). 12-string models may have a wider neck to accommodate all the strings, but these 2 sizes are the most common.
Of course, the width of the neck = the distance between the strings. The wider the bar, the greater the distance. Classical guitars have more. Therefore, many musicians love regular acoustic guitars, because they are more convenient to play.
Guitar body size and shape
There are many body types for acoustic guitars, we won’t list them all, but the main difference from classics is that classics have a more compact body than acoustics.
Of course, there are acoustic guitars with smaller bodies, but standard acoustic guitars are larger than classical guitars. This must be taken into account when purchasing a case or case for your instrument.
Also, when buying a case for an acoustic guitar, it is important to understand that there is no universal solution and a case for a jumbo and a dreadnought are 2 big differences.
Anchor
This is such an iron thing inside the neck that regulates its deflection. Acoustic guitars have a truss rod because steel strings create high tension and without a truss rod the neck will simply break. Classical guitars do not use a truss rod because the string tension is much lower.
Attaching the neck to the body
On most acoustic guitars, the neck is attached to the body at the 14th fret. Sometimes there are models where the neck is attached to the body at the 12th fret, but this is very rare.
On most classical guitars, the neck is attached to the body at the 12th fret. There are exceptions, but they are rare.
Pegs
The tuners on a classical guitar usually have an open mechanism, and there are special cutouts on the headstock for them.
On an acoustic guitar, as a rule, there are no cutouts; the tuners usually have a closed mechanism.
Neck cutout
Classical cutaway guitars are much less common. This is due to the high cost of producing such instruments. Making a stable classic with a cutout is much more difficult than without a cutout. Well, as a rule, access to the last frets is a requirement of a serious, experienced musician. Beginners don't need this.
Conclusions
Despite the fact that in lately The line between acoustic and classical guitar has become very blurred, it's still just two different types instruments with their characteristic sound, timbre and playing feel. All this affects the sound. Perhaps the most important difference is that these guitars simply sound different. You can't say that one is better than the other. It's a matter of taste. If you like classics, you want to learn to play notes, study spanish guitar, flamenco, romances, etc. - your choice is a classical guitar. If you want to quickly select your favorite song and you like modern music, choose acoustics
P.S. A few important notes that may help you with your choice.
- The classical guitar is not played with a pick, but rather with the fingers, usually using the fingerpicking technique.
- A classical guitar sounds quieter than an acoustic guitar. Accordingly, the acoustics sound louder. Because of the body and iron strings.
- Nylon strings detune faster than iron strings
- It's better to play acoustically
- Acoustics have a thinner neck, which is more convenient for many
- Acoustics suitable for more styles of music than classical
- Acoustics have a longer neck and access to high frets is easier than classical ones.
- Steel strings are less sensitive to temperature changes
- A classical guitar needs to be tuned more often because its tuning fluctuates over time.
- It is more painful for a beginning guitarist to play on iron strings. Calluses should appear and go away, after which it will become easier. The skin will become thicker.
- Classical guitar sounds softer, more romantic, ideal for Latin music
- The classical guitar is smaller and easier to travel with.
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