Classical Guitar vs Acoustic Guitar - What's the Difference and Which is Best?

Classical Guitar vs Acoustic Guitar - What's the Difference and Which is Best? Are you getting ready to purchase your first guitar? Or maybe which one to add to your collection? What's the real difference between a classical nylon string guitar and an acoustic steel string guitar?

[julsbarracuda]

I always thought that I had an acoustic guitar, turns out is a classical guitar.

Thank you :)

[metalcikiz]

Classical guitar has more feeling in my opinion it sounds more emotional

[DrStrangeloveII]

I don't think classical guitar is generally easier for beginners. Nylon strings are easier on your fingers, but the neck is wider which can make it harder to play with small hands, and the fretboard is flat, requiring a slightly more stretched hand posture, and it can be tricky to get barre chords right because you have to press your finger really flat down over the fretboard. Especially for smaller hands, the acoustic's narrow neck with its gently curved fretboard can be more comfortable. I'm leaning towards classical for being easier to learn, but I don't think it's that much of a difference.

The really important question for this decision is: what kind of music do you want to play? What guitar songs do you listen to, which songs made you want to play guitar yourself? The most important difference is that almost every music genre favours either acoustic *or* classical guitar, because it evolved with either one *or* the other instrument. You want to play Blues? Country? Rock ballads? Singer/songwriter? Arguably the more North American/western and modern pop/rock styles? These were made with and for acoustic guitars, often played with a pick, and may feel and sound not right with a classical.

You want to play classical music? Latin? Flamenco? Or more generally, Spanish or Latin American styles? Get a classical guitar then, because these styles tend to feel and sound wrong with an acoustic.

For example, tonal characteristics aside, acoustic guitars have very long sustain, which means you strum a chord and it takes very long to decay. That's important for country music and many slower ballads, because they "use" this sustain. They have evolved with it. Classical guitar strings decay much faster, and consequently Latin/Spanish styles have evolved in another direction, one that tends to favour a more active "strumming hand" (or "more rhythm", perhaps). These styles actually sound bad if you have too much sustain, and their "strumming" style feels pretty awful with tight steel strings if you ask me. Using a pick on a classical guitar doesn't work well either.

I play Flamenco for example, and that simply doesn't work with an acoustic. The other way round, I find classical guitar very bad for playing blues.

Long story short, more important than if one or the other is a bit easier to learn is that you enjoy playing your music. And if your guitar doesn't suit your music, then you're going to have less fun. And besides, if you have less fun, your learning progress will be slower too. Just get what your favourite musicians use.

[coolguy]

0:37: Brighter sound (Steel string Acoustic guitar)
1:38: Mellow sound (Nylon string Classical guitar)

[trvemilk]

My stupid teachers keep telling me they’re the same thing, 🤦🏻‍♀️ and they’re music teachers, THEY ARE NOT THE SAME THING FFS

[ladyshkspre]

This was VERY helpful. I've often wondered what the difference was between the 2 guitar types and you quickly and clearly explained all the finer points. Thanks for posting!

[TheDarkCountess]

I love the sound of both, although the classical guitar particularly sparks a lot of happiness in me when I hear it somehow.

[juleisha]

I think for beginners, it's better to start off on an acoustic. For me personally, the acoustic has helped a ton in building my calluses and strengthening my wrist (I happen to have a guitar with very high action so you can imagine how strenuous it is on my wrist when playing barre chords higher up the frets). When I switched to a classical guitar last month, it was a breeze. I felt like I was playing on air or something! It was so easy to handle. Maybe it's because I've played for 3 years but I do believe it's all thanks to my acoustic guitar for training my fingers in the first place! Just my two cents. :)

[terebiomimasu]

This video was under 3 minutes yet you touched upon a lot of things in very simple and helpful ways making it so easy to understand. Especially the part where you talked about 3 of the nylon strings seeming like they are steel strings. That was awesome! A lot of these experienced guitar players seem to have forgotten what it was like to not know a single thing about guitars and look at us strangely for asking "dumb" questions. Thank you for this video.

[Dutcharmytent]

Nylon strings are better for a beginner because they do not hurt your fingers and in turn put you off playing.
I talk from experience.

[baggybullet]

Thank you so much. Your instructional videos are great. Keep up the good work.

[TomasMichaud]

You're very welcome. Glad I could help :)

[dmitriichuprakov]

Who is a classical guitarist give a thumbs up))

[guitaristerkan]

Thank you so much !
I was looking for this and I understood with your help :)

[TomasMichaud]

You're welcome. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

[ttom]

Great video, you explain things really well! Thanks.

[TomasMichaud]

Hi, it mostly depends on your tolerance for pain and the sound you like. If you are thinking of singing along the acoustic is louder and brighter, but it will hurt your finer more when learning. On he other hand a nylon usually has a wider neck which takes a little more stretching if you have small hands. My guess is that an acoustic guitar will sound best to you for the music you want to play. Put very light strings on the guitar (or Silk and Steel strings) to make it easier to play at first.

[ElekiSerket]

I agree with your opinion.
Although where I'm from we're more used to classical guitars, and I tend to use the classical slightly more often, it really just depends on what sound I want to produce. I like both and treat them equally.

[notme]

I use a classical guitar with a pick and I like it. I like the feel of classical guitars.
btw using a classical guitar doesn't mean you play classical music.
Have a good day.

[loraleewellington]

Thank you very much! Very informative and easy to understand!