Classical Guitars
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Many styles of music rely on guitars for a large portion of their sound. Even classical music uses guitars. The classical guitar is the most commonly used type of guitar used for classical music, and it is also used in folk music, at times. Classical guitars are also referred to as Spanish guitars because they are traditionally made using Spanish cedar for some of the main components. Because classical guitars are mainly used for concerts of classical music, they are sometimes called concert guitars, as well.
Classical guitars have been around for more than four centuries. Unlike standard acoustic and electric guitars, classical guitars are very rarely strummed and are almost always plucked. The fingernails, and sometimes fingertips, are the main instrument used to pluck the guitar strings. Classical guitar players even shape their fingernails to create the desired tone on their guitar. By definition, the classical guitar is in the family of acoustic guitars because it relies on the construction of the guitar for its amplification. Six strings is the standard number for classical guitars.
Straps for classical guitars are very rarely used due to the normal position that is taken when playing a classical guitar. The tuning pegs on classical guitars are also different than on standard guitars to better accommodate the playing position. The tuning pegs point backwards in relation to the head of the guitar as opposed to sticking out on the sides. The fingerboard on classical guitars is also a bit wider than normal guitars because additional space between the strings is required for plucking.
The shape of classical guitars has remained fairly constant for over one hundred years. The type of strings used for classical guitars has also remained close to the same. Nylon or gut strings are used to produce a sound unique to the classical guitar. Classical guitars can play music written specifically for them, but they can also play music written for their ancestor instruments, such as the vihuela and lute. The strings require a low tension which eliminates the need for a metal support rod in the neck of the guitar.
A classical electric guitar was created in the early 1980s by Gibson, but the idea never gained much momentum for most classical guitarists. The electric classical guitar used nylon strings to produce the same sounds but utilized electric amplification so that the sound could be better heard. Like traditional electric guitars, the classical electric guitar featured a solid body as opposed to a hollow body.
Flamenco guitars are often grouped with classical guitars because of their many construction similarities. Flamenco is a Spanish style of music that uses strumming rather than plucking of the guitar. Additionally, classical guitar players are less likely to use a capo, whereas, flamenco guitarists use the capo often. Both guitars, however, are descendants of the lute.
Many classical guitarists use custom made guitars to produce a sound unique to their playing style and personal preferences. This is not to say that a large number of in stock classical guitars cannot be found because they can very easily be found without customizations.
