Fri. Mar 29th, 2024
3 Basic Types of Guitars for Beginners

At the turn of the century, rapid digitalisation has changed our lives for the better. We can shop for our groceries from our computers. Our relatives in faraway countries can communicate with us through video calls. Several university programs are taught on the internet, too! 

When almost anything can be learned online, picking out something new to learn has never been more encouraging. People looking for new hobbies can simply binge on youtube videos and tutorials. For music lovers, it is easy to access fresh releases from your favourite musicians or perform your own music through streaming sites. 

If you’re into music, one popular hobby you can try is learn to play the guitar. It is almost fundamental in the music industry to know a few tunes with the instrument. Learning guitar is a rewarding pastime, even more so if you start getting serious about it. If you’re looking to buy guitars online, you must first decide which type of guitar you want to play. Read below to know the three basic types of guitars for beginners and how to choose one that’s right for you.

  1. The Mellow Classical Guitar

A classical guitar has a wider neck and a smaller body size. Its nylon strings give them a distinct sound quite softer than in steel-string guitars. Think of the mellow sound in Latin or jazz music. Nylon strings are thick and easy to feel on your fingertips. Its wider neck allows more space between strings than usual, so the player can press one string without touching the others.

Younger players will find classical guitars easy to play. Since it has the most comfortable strings, you can practice for longer periods. It’s also ideal for practising fingerpicking techniques. Moreover, they are the least expensive type. Classical guitars measure around 38 inches and have a scale length of about 26 inches. It can be scaled 1/4 to 1/2 for children and younger players.

  1. The Timeless Acoustic Guitar

An acoustic guitar is similar to classical guitars but with steel strings. These strings provide more tension, thus, giving a louder and brighter sound. Musicians with acoustic guitars produce pop, folk, country, and slow rock music. The steel strings tend to be sharper than nylon, so very young children may find more difficulty with them. However, it is recommended for beginners who are at least twelve to thirteen years old. 

If classical guitars are great for fingerpicking, acoustic guitars are better in strumming chords. Steel-string guitars generally have a long neck that allows players to strum higher notes.  

  1. The Magnetic Electric Guitar

Electric guitars need external amplification to make a sound. This type of guitar produces sound when vibrating strings produce magnetic energy, which then transfers into small voltage electrical energy. This energy makes its way to the amplifier that boosts the sound. 

They usually don’t have a cavity, except for very few models of electric jazz guitars. This type of guitar is much smaller than the classical or acoustic. However, it has extra weight from all its mechanisms. 

It’s Time to Shop!

When you buy guitars online, think of the types of music you enjoy listening to. They are practically indications of what you’ll enjoy playing in the future. Whether you enjoy traditional tunes, sing alongside Taylor Swift’s music, or blast your stereos on Green Day, there is a guitar suited for you. 

Always take note of the size and weight of a guitar. If you have a smaller frame, you can always scale down a guitar to practice more efficiently. The classical guitar is recommended for children. Yet, every child is different, and many are capable of more advanced models.

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