Types of Guitars

281 Words2 Pages
There are two types of acoustic guitar: steel-string and classical. Classical guitars have a wider neck and use nylon strings. Steel-strings have a metallic sound that is a distinctive component of a wide range of popular music styles. Both types of guitar can be played using a plectrum (pick) or finger-style. The steel-string acoustic is sometimes referred to as a flat top. The word top refers to the face or front of the guitar which is called the table. The body of an acoustic is a hollow resonating chamber. Acoustic guitars with a big body have a deep tone while guitars with a small body sound brighter. Acoustic guitars sometimes have cutaways, where the neck joins the body, allowing easier access to the higher frets. There are many entry-level acoustic guitar models that are manufactured to a high standard that are entirely suitable as a first guitar for beginners. If you wish to buy something more expensive then it is important that the table should be made from a single piece of wood (not ply) and closely grained. The acoustic guitar lends itself to a variety of tasks and roles. Its portability and ease of use make it the ideal songwriter's tool. Its gentle harp-like arpeggios and rhythmic chordal strumming has always found favor in an ensemble. The acoustic guitar has a personal and intimate quality that is suited to small concert halls, churches and private spaces without any additional amplification. For stadium concerts or large venues some form of amplification is required. An acoustic guitar can be amplified by placing a microphone several inches from the sound hole or by installing a
Open Document