Classical vs Acoustic

Can you use a steel-string acoustic guitar for playing classical guitar music? Find out in this video where we explore the differences between these two instruments.

The main difference between classical and acoustic is the sound each instrument creates, and that sound suits different styles and techniques. While you can indeed play classical music on an acoustic guitar as demonstrated in the video, the difference in the sound affects what we can do on each instrument.

For instance, sustain will be easier on the steel-string, while intricate voicing simply sounds better on the classical. There are tradeoffs with each of course., but many of us who are drawn to the classical guitar and its repertoire will be drawn to its unique soundworld. And for that reason,, we recommend switching to a nylon-string classical guitar as soon as possible if you want to play classical music on the guitar.

If you enjoyed this lesson, please check out our Beginner Resources page, where we have lessons, videos, and music to get you started with classical guitar. Go here to get started:

[DuraLexSedLex]

With the right notes and the right feeling, I won't mind Bach on a Telecaster.

[atomic]

Thank you for this. I have 4 classical guitars and one acoustic. This video is very helpful to me. I never strum on any guitar (don't know how) so basically play the same pieces that I play on my classicals. This includes classical pieces (Sir, Bach, etc) as well as Ragtime which does sound better on the acoustic IMHO. Again thanks for this informative video. I often watch you.

[chadwicks_guitar]

You can play any music on any guitar. I was once a member of the CGCA and enjoyed every moment of it.
However, I now play exclusively on either a jazzmaster or an archtop.
I still play a lot of the curriculum, but with a swing feel. Aguado can be pretty jazzy.😎

[chrisstanford]

Have both and appreciate the tonal qualities of each my 4 steel and 4 classical. Use different string gages to achieve ease of play❤

[Mandrake]

Thank you for this presentation, it’s excellent! I’ve been contemplating buying a classical guitar to be friends with my steel strings!

[CameraLaw]

Thanks for starting this conversation. Not much like it that I’ve found. Although a short 3 1/2 years into learning late in life, started at 68 as a pandemic diversion, I play classical repertoire on all three types of guitar. Jazz on all three. As a kid, I strummed folk on nylon strings as that was what the music store recommended as a starter guitar, it is 3/4 size. Simply put, I find mixing and matching helps strengthen skills in many fine ways. For this reason, and because, as a piano player, I love the particular ringing quality of steel, I got an orchestra sized 12 fretted acoustic, the Martin 000-15SM, that I chose for a more consistent crossover. But having easy access to higher frets on electric does have its advantages. As for my nails, I use fine sandpaper without fail after every steel session. Takes care of small dings on the edge of the nail which, if ignored, can make the nails more prone to crack. I’ll also play with a pick on nylon, as my childhood guitar and a flamenco model both have pickguards. I find a rounded tip smaller jazz pick, my favorite is from Pickboy, the 150 J-pick, works well on nylon. Variety is the spice, no? Happy plucking and picking, all.

[WmAndrewWynn]

I'm thoroughly enjoying the classical guitar corner books Simon. i studied classical guitar in college many years ago but alway had an issue with my nails because the tip of the middle finger of my right hand was very severely injured when i was young. i have a nail on that finger tip but it's problematic. I love the sound of the classical guitar with nails. I own a beautiful del Pilar that Mr. del Pilar made for me 40 years ago. But as of late, i am playing a Martin steel string with no nails while working on classical guitar corner material and while i miss the tonal qualities of the classical guitar with nails, i'm finding using the flesh of my finger tips on the steel sting guitar is the most satisfying alternative.

[starflake]

Many steel string guitars have the neck joining the body at the 14th fret. With my steel string guitar, what I like to do is to tune down a whole step and use a capo at the second fret, which gives standard tuning. The 12th fret is now where the neck and body meet. An added benefit of a capo at the second fret is that the string spacing is wider there than at the nut, which helps with being able to fret notes without muting/buzzing adjacent strings. The string tension is lower, also, which helps with the fingernails.

[paulysguitarjournal]

My steel string shines its best in its case in the closet. 😂 I’ve been playing nylon string guitar for so long, my steel string playing is terrible.

[TheJpmaree]

I was always wondering how Tremolo will compare on the 2 guitars and which will support it more?

[cfcasey.guitars-ukuleles]

“Acoustic” does not mean “steel-string”; it means the strings’ sound is amplified by mechanical means (a soundboard or a resonator) rather than electronic. Both nylon-string and steel-string guitars are acoustic if they don’t rely on a pickup and amplifier to be heard.

[christianbucal]

I just bought my classical guitar.

I noticed that there is no dots on the fret board.

And it is same to most classical guitar I see.

[brianchambers]

I think classical repertoire lends itself better to steel string electric than steel string acoustic—you have so much greater ability to shape the tone to your imagination ...

[merred]

After playing many years on a nylon string and a lot of experimenting I switched to a 'steel' string and I don't think I will ever go back. But it isn't just a standard stock instrument. As with the classical guitar you have to find a really good guitar. There exist acoustics with a wider neck. Nice string balancing can be achieved by using and mixing the string types you like. For the lower strings I use silk and steel. That is why I putted the word steel in quotes. A good acoustic has a much better intonation, especially in the higher range. I may be wrong, but I have the impression that the acoustic used in the video is of a lower quality that the classical. Using the correct right hand finger plucking, I never have problems with broken nails. The only thing you cannot do is rasgueado. There is much more to say about this. To conclude: I believe that the perfect guitar is a kind of hybrid, mixing the best features of classical, steel string and even jazz archtop guitars that use elements from the violin construction. But that is still in the hands of a few rare luthiers.

[brianchambers]

And you didn't even get started on Barrios!😄😎

[elianamoored]

I play acoustic but im starting classical guitar lessons. does that mean I should buy a classical guitar for it?

[dantevideti]

There is now crossover guitar that play nylon string with the feeling of a steel string guitar they are an awesome compromise

[quarlmephystodot]

nylon vs steel string
both are acoustic (not electrical)