The guitar is a popular musical instrument. Everyone can master the basic three chords on it. Having mastered the game, you will be the center of attention in any company.

But the guitar is not as simple as it seems. As you develop your skills, you will see what a huge potential is fraught with, it would seem, such a simple "yard" tool. But in order to become a pro, the choice of guitar should be taken seriously. So which guitar is the best?

In this article, we will talk about how to choose a guitar for a beginner guitarist. After reading, you will understand by what criteria to choose a tool.

In the slang of professional guitarists there is a word "beaver". To them they call the instrument very Bad quality. Previously, there was a furniture factory in the city of Bobrov, which, oddly enough, also made strings. musical instruments. All the products that came out of the walls of the enterprise were of very poor quality. This is how the instruments from the city of Bobrov became a household name.

Tips for those who are going to buy their first guitar:

1. Be sure to take a friend who has been playing the instrument with you to the store. An experienced musician himself was once a beginner and perfectly knows all your aspirations. Perhaps he will tell you, based on his own experience, which brand of guitar is better.
2. The budget is an individual matter. But do not choose the cheapest or most expensive guitar. Naturally, you think that you are purchasing a tool in order to try your hand at the game. But the fact is that a guitar that costs less than 2000 rubles can even be difficult to tune. How are you going to learn how to play it? Let's say you have a fairly impressive amount and decide to give yourself an expensive tool. Doing this is not worth it. Beginners do not feel the difference between an instrument for 5,000 or 50,000 rubles. Opt for something in between.
3. What is herself good guitar? The one you like the look of! Although this is not very professional advice, it is impossible to play an instrument that does not give aesthetic pleasure!
4. Choose the right size. There are different guitars: 4/4, 4/3, 2/4, 1/4. For an adult, 4/4 is usually suitable. Teenagers and petite girls choose 4/3. For children, there are sizes from 2/4 and 1/4. The latter is for very little ones, such options are rarely on sale. To understand what size instrument you need, just hold it in your hands as if you were already playing it.
5. Beginners use nylon strings. Pros are metal. It happens that novice guitarists immediately learn to play metal and do not lose anything. Please note that classical guitar is not played. They are for acoustics.
6. Did you like some tool in the store? Ask a sales assistant to set it up and play something. Keep the sound clean. There should be no rattling. Nothing should irritate your ears.
7. Do not stop at the first option that you like. In any case, arrange an audition for 3-5 applicants. Only in this way will you understand which guitar is better to play.
8. If you dream of playing an electric guitar, then buy it right away. Do not torture yourself with a classical instrument, the sound of which does not bring pleasure.

Which guitar is better to learn to play: acoustic or classical?

Before talking about manufacturers, you need to decide on the constructive types of tools.

Classics are immortal

Music school students without options start with classical guitar. For beginners this the best option. The classical instrument has a wide and thin neck, which means that untrained fingers should not move out and interfere with each other. It is much easier to work out fingerings on such a guitar than on a narrow neck of an acoustic guitar. Nylon strings are installed on the "classics". This means that you will save your fingers from early learning.

It will be easier for you to learn how to tune the guitar by yourself, because the nylon is easy to clamp and tighten. Unfortunately, you can't put metal strings on a classical guitar. It is rare that a classic model can withstand steel strings. Do not experiment, you may lose an expensive tool.

Nylon strings provide quiet and soft sound. Music genres that perform on this instrument are as follows:

• ballads;
• plays;
• romances;
• Latin American compositions;
• Spanish compositions.

The “classics” have a much smaller case than the “acoustics”. Thanks to larger size Acoustic guitar bodies produce a deeper sound. The age of the classical guitar is three hundred years. It appeared in the 18th century in Spain. That is why the instrument is called "Spanish".

Acoustics - rich sound

This type of guitar is much younger. He is only about a hundred years old. The instrument is from America. Here, in the middle of the 20th century, jazz and folk were fashionable, which sounded very picturesque to the accompaniment of an acoustic instrument.

This type of guitar has rigid springs, i.e. wooden slats, which are located under the top. On the acoustic guitar install steel strings. The sounds she makes are much richer and louder.

To understand which acoustic or classical, you need to understand the features of both options. About the "classic" was discussed above. Now it's the turn of "acoustics".

The body of an acoustic guitar is quite large. This feature gives a deep sound. This tool has a metal rod in the middle of the section. It is located along the entire length of the neck and is called an anchor. It is needed in order to protect the string plucked instrument from damage due to the strong tension of the metal strings.

To understand which guitar is better, you should understand the types of strings that are installed on the acoustic version of the instrument. Metal strings on "acoustics" can have different types braids. The sound directly depends on the metal.

Braid types

So, what is the best acoustic guitar in terms of string wrap types?

1. Phosphor bronze. It appears to be an orange-bronze color. Looks very aesthetic. The sound of such strings is velvety. The bass is thick, but the high frequencies are less clear.
2. Steel or nickel-steel. The pros call them “silver” among themselves, but they know very well that there is no precious metal there. The sound that such strings make is reminiscent of a silver ringing - bright and distinct. Braid color - gray-silver.
3. Bronze plus tin. These strings are on models of the most famous manufacturers. The sound level of high and low frequencies for such strings is optimal.

To the accompaniment of "acoustics" they perform works that relate to rock and roll, pop, chanson. Learning to play the guitar with steel strings is very difficult. But if you take a chance and endure for about three weeks, then soon your fingers will get used to it and you will be able to enjoy a deep sound.

Which guitar is better: acoustic or classical?

1. Nylon classical guitar strings are much softer. "Acoustics" will provide you with corns on your hands. Soon your fingers will become rough and you will get used to it.
2. Steel strings often break, which is also not very pleasant. This does not happen with nylon.
3. In the "classics" there are always six strings. In "acoustics" their number varies from 4 to 12.
4. For children, a small classical guitar body is more preferable.
5. Acoustic guitar is often played with a pick. This is a special metal plate. She makes the sound louder. When playing on classical instrument this device is not used.

General conclusion

Having considered all the features, it is difficult to say which one. This choice is individual, and you yourself must decide which option is more convenient for you.

We raised the question of which guitar is best to learn to play, in terms of the physical properties of the instruments. However, they are not decisive when choosing. First of all, the future guitarist should clearly understand their musical preferences.

"Acoustics" issues:

• loud sounds;
• high clear tones.

What is played on the acoustic guitar:

• pop music;
• rock and roll;
• blues;
• folk;
• jazz.

On the "classic" you will play:

• incendiary Spanish motives;
• plays;
• romances.

As practice shows, musicians who sincerely fall in love with the sound of the guitar acquire both options.

The best brands that produce "acoustics"

To answer the question of which acoustic guitar is best for beginners, you first need to get acquainted with the brands that exist in the music market.

Here is a list of recognized champions:

1. Yamaha. Japanese manufacturer of musical instruments, whose name is on everyone's lips. Whether you choose a professional instrument or a beginner's model, you can be sure of the sound quality. The main thing that distinguishes this manufacturer is a worthy combination of price and quality.
2. crafter. Korean trademark. Makes tools for both beginners and pros. The brand's products have a wide price range. A buyer with the most modest budget will be able to pick up a decent option from a Korean company.
3. Martinez. A Chinese manufacturer that specializes in inexpensive goods. The company creates analogues of expensive acoustic models. The company makes a tool for both pros and beginners and amateurs.
4. Ibanez. And again a brand from Japan. This manufacturer has proven itself in the production of bass guitars and power tools. However, the firm also makes guitars. Distinctive feature this brand is used in the manufacture of mahogany and rosewood.
5. Gibson. This company makes luxury instruments. It does not need advertising, as it has long gained popularity all over the world. The products of this brand are distinguished by amazingly clear sound and chic quality materials.
6. Fender. The manufacturer also specializes in elite "acoustics".

Inexpensive "acoustics" for beginners

What is the best acoustic guitar for beginners? Below is a list of good quality budget options.

1. MARTINEZ C-95. A good tool from a well-known brand. The guitar produces quite tolerable sounds, given its low cost. The instrument is made of very high quality, so, most likely, your children will also be able to learn to play it. It's a great option for beginner guitarists. As soon as you comprehend the basics, you will want to change it to something more perfect. The instrument has a classic design: 6 strings, 19 frets. The neck of the guitar is made of rosewood, the body is made of mahogany.
2. YAMAHA C-70. Great tool for relatively little money. The brand does not need advertising. A guitar with excellent sound quality.
3. FENDER ESC80 CLASSICAL. If you still do not know which acoustic guitar is better, then pay attention to this model. According to the pros, she has no flaws. The instrument is made of precious woods (spruce, nato, agatis). At the same time, the price is affordable. This model is recommended for students of music schools. Its sizes are designed for children and teenagers - ¾.

Budget "classic" for beginner guitarists

1. CORT AC250 NAT. This guitar is made from three types of wood. The sound quality is high. Many people like her aesthetic appearance. Manufacturer: USA. Cost: 11600 rubles.
2. FLIGHT C-250NA. The company gained popularity in the 80s. Since that time, this guitar model has been recommended to beginners (previously it was called the Flight C-100). The only negative is that if a beginner guitarist does not properly care for the instrument, then the glossy finish will quickly become unusable. Manufacturer: China. The cost is 9500 rubles.
3. ANTONIO SANCHEZ S-1005 CEDAR. If your budget is unlimited, then pay attention to this model self made. This is the brainchild of the world famous Spanish brand Antonio Sanchez. The guitar, which produces a chic balanced sound, has excellent debugging. If you're still wondering which classical guitar is best for beginners, then if you're on a budget, check out this model. Naturally, not everyone can afford this tool (the cost is about 37,400 rubles). And, probably, you should not buy such an expensive model for children and teenagers who have not yet decided whether they want to play. The guitar is suitable for adult students who know for sure that the instrument will not gather dust in the corner.

1. Check the tool for external defects. The fact is that if you choose an inexpensive model, you should know that in mass production tools are often made from insufficiently dry wood. This leads to the fact that the coasters immediately begin to peel off the deck. Check for cracks in the instrument.
2. Inspect the entire guitar for gaps between its parts.
3. Check if the neck is straight. It must not be bent outwards.
4. Run your hand along the ends of the frets. If they cling to the palms, then in the future this will lead to microtrauma on the hands.
5. The guitar must have the correct string height above the fretboard. How to measure it? There should be a margin of 2 mm above the sixth string. Above the first - 1.5 mm.

Even when buying an expensive guitar, you should understand that you will most likely need the help of a professional to tune it. Later you will do it yourself. We hope that this article answered the question: "What is the best guitar for beginners?".

Sometimes you can hear such a question: “Which guitar is better to learn to play?” This question is also asked by parents who want to send their child to study, and matured schoolchildren who strive to stand out at meetings and gatherings of peers, and even mature people who want to play their favorite songs for themselves. I will try to answer this question for you and, I hope, after reading it, you will make a conclusion for yourself which guitar is better to learn.

Let's divide guitars into several types: (classical and pop), and . And let's talk a little about each category.

Naturally, learning and subsequent playing on an acoustic guitar does not require additional equipment, as, for example, on an electric guitar or bass guitar.

Classical acoustic guitars are smaller than so-called pop acoustic guitars and also have nylon strings. These strings are softer than steel strings. It will be much easier for children to play on them. Also learning classical guitar in music school means studying. In the future, the student will play various classical works. I also note that those who have received a classical education easily switch to electric guitar and easily play solo guitar parts.

The sound of a classical acoustic guitar

The pop guitar is most often learned to play popular songs or rock music. It's a pretty loud instrument. His sound is very voluminous. Many who learn such a guitar use self-teaching books or take short lessons from guitarists. Sometimes this is quite enough to perform simple songs. But in order to improve your skills, you should familiarize yourself with music theory, study more, watch or read specialized information.

The sound of pop acoustic guitar

For learning the electric guitar and further full-fledged playing on it, you will already need additionally, as well as various ones. In part, the playing technique is similar to the acoustic guitar, and the chords are also located on the fretboard. But still, there are a lot of technical tricks and nuances that are peculiar only to an electric guitar. It is worth noting that the presence of a large number of effects for processing guitar sound (in the form of floor pedals or for electric guitar, etc.) creates a large space for creativity.

The best electric guitar solos

The bass guitar is more of an accompaniment instrument. The combination of bass and drums gives the rhythm section. And a lot of people think that bass is very easy to play. Although some virtuosos play excellent solo works on the bass guitar. Also, a peculiar technique is used on the bass guitar -. To play the bass guitar you will need an amplifier.

Bass guitar slapping

Often with the question "what guitar to learn" they also ask the question "how much to learn to play the guitar." Here you can answer in the following way. It all depends on what level you want to reach. You can learn how to put chords and then play simple songs in a couple of months. But if you want to become a professional guitarist, then this is a task of several years. Although many musicians study all their lives and discover something new for themselves.

Now we need to sum up. We briefly reviewed the nuances of training on various types guitars, and the decision on which guitar to learn to play is up to you. I hope our article helped you choose. And if you liked our material, then repost in the social. networks. All buttons below.

Start off learn to play best on regular classical guitar. It is also often referred to as Spanish. It is equipped with soft nylon strings, which will allow you to strain your fingers much less than in the case of an acoustic guitar with metal strings. This is especially important at the initial stage of training. But if you already have an acoustic guitar, it will be a little more difficult at first. However, gradually the fingers will get used to the new sensations for them, and the skin on the fingertips of the left hand will become much thicker and less sensitive.

Choosing a guitar is a separate big topic. Perhaps, best advice here is one - to take a knowledgeable, experienced person with you to the store (or to the seller, if you buy through an ad). If possible, invite a guitar master or teacher, or just an experienced guitarist with you. It is better to pay a small amount to this specialist for help in choosing a guitar than to be disappointed in an unsuccessful purchase later. There is one general rule: the better the instrument, the more pleasant and easier it is to learn to play it, and the faster it will go musical development student. But since better does not always mean more expensive, knowledgeable person when choosing a guitar is a must.

2. Do I need to know the notes?

Learning and knowing musical notation is, of course, a huge plus for any good guitarist. However, this knowledge is NOT at all necessary in order to. You can play and select songs by ear well and even very well, without knowing the notes at all! For example, the famous virtuoso guitarist Paco de Lucia began to study musical notation only at the age of 44. The lack of this knowledge did not prevent him from performing and composing a huge number of amazingly beautiful and sounding guitar works even up to this age. Of course, knowing musical notation is better than not knowing it, but you can learn to play, and play well, even without this knowledge. Moreover, in the process of learning, there may come a moment when you realize that musical notation suddenly needed.

3. How often should I exercise?

You need to do it regularly. Best of all - in the morning. But if this is not possible, you can do it both during the day and in the evening, preferably at the same time and devote at least an hour to this matter. A simple rule works here: the more you practice, the faster you will achieve the desired results. However, if at some point there is a feeling of severe fatigue or slight pain in the fingers, classes should be stopped for a while. Even if it happens earlier than an hour later. Extra injuries, bruises and sprains are useless. Train left hand you can use an expander, but still the best training is directly playing the guitar.

Hello everyone, in the 3rd grade I heard heavy music for the first time, my friend brought the recordings of gr. "Iron Maiden" and gr. “Aria”, of course, when I ran home, I immediately told my father about it, and he bought me an audio cassette of these groups. That's when I started dreaming about buying a guitar.

Listening to my favorite songs, I imagined myself playing the same music on stage. I was 9 years old, I did not understand anything, but I really wanted to play the guitar. Let's put aside my parents' skepticism about this, because in the end I bought an old guitar with two plugs and was larger than myself, as well as video cassettes with guitar lessons. Nothing worked out, I understand that now, but then I considered myself a first-class rock guitarist. A month has passed since the purchase of the instrument, and already with my classmate, who knocks on the sofa with sticks, imitating drums, we are playing our first rock. It is worth noting that the acoustic guitar did not stay with me for a long time, maybe a year or a year and a half, because I wanted a different sound, I felt like a person who wants smartphone functions from a push-button phone. A little time passed, I saved up something, added something, and so I bought a used, but not bad, Indonesian-made electric guitar. Then I got what I wanted.

Why this preface, I was "self-taught" for 6 years, during this time I got an electric guitar, learned how to use gadgets, played music that I like, composed songs, etc., but did not learn how to play. I rather played with the guitar, but oddly enough, I now do not promote classes with a teacher from the very beginning of the path, relying on my “bitter experience”, no, the experience is not bitter, because I enjoyed this lesson, i.e. I did exactly what I wanted, what I like and, if not immediately, on the guitar that I like.

So, let's start, if you want to learn how to play your favorite music, then first choose an instrument, I don't mean the company, not even the manufacturer's country, but the type of guitar: electric guitar, classical guitar, acoustic guitar or even bass guitar. There is a popular belief that you should first learn how to play a "regular" guitar, I don't think so, choose a guitar according to your taste and musical direction.

If you want to play pop music such as blues, jazz, rock, metal, if you dream of guitar riffs and solo, then feel free to buy an electric guitar, if you want to sing with a guitar or play acoustic music and fingerstyle, then acoustic, if you want to purposefully learn to play classical guitar with nylon strings, then buy it, with a bass guitar in the same way, take it if you like this particular instrument. Play the instrument you like. Switching from an electric guitar to a classical guitar is the same in terms of complexity as it is from a classical guitar to an electric guitar.

We figured out the guitar, now we will decide whether it is possible to learn to play on our own or with a teacher. I think it's better to start with a teacher anyway, for a few simple reasons.

First, hand placement and proper posture. You can find all this in the media. Internet, study guides, now there is a lot of all this, but based on my experience I will say that at first a knowledgeable person should follow the training. You can play and not understand why the sound is not the same, why the pain in one or another part of the body after the game, and understand the reason after two years, but in the classroom with the teacher they will immediately tell, correct and explain what is right and what is wrong and, How to fix it.

Secondly, information, you need to be able to “filter” it, it is difficult to understand manuals, notes, tablature, video lessons on early stages learning.

Thirdly, mistakes, starting to learn, you often do not notice your mistakes, the teacher will pay attention to them and help correct them.

The first 6 years, as already mentioned, I studied on my own, in the end I went to a teacher, but on electric guitar. If from the very beginning I went to the classical guitar and started playing what I did not like at that time, then perhaps I would not have become a musician. Now I like to play classical guitar with nylon strings, but then it was different. Therefore, I advise you to find a teacher who specializes in exactly the style that you are interested in and the guitar that you want.

I want to say in defense of self-learning that you can learn this way, but only longer and you will face the problems that are described above. Even a month of classes with a knowledgeable teacher can change a lot in your game.

Play the guitar, educate yourself and remember that every guitar is equally good, whether it be classical, acoustic or electric guitar, as well as musical directions It's only a matter of taste, do what you like.

Are you planning to learn to play the guitar? You are faced with a difficult dilemma. First, you need to decide where and how to study: take private lessons, online or video courses, etc. But it is even more important to decide for yourself what exactly you want to learn to play. All of these are difficult questions. But we will try to figure it out, because it can affect your career in the future and the choice of instrument in the present. For clarity, I will tell you how I myself began to learn to play the guitar.

FROM early childhood I have music in my head all the time. At some point, I decided to take the guitar in my hands and try to play on it what sounds in my head. Even then, the authorities for me were Mark Knopfler (Mark Knopfler, Dire Straits), George Harrison and Robert Smith (Robert Smith, The Cure). And I've had a few favorite examples of guitar sounds, like the Knopfler guitar on "Money For Nothing" and the filthy, fuzzy sound of The Beatles in Revolution. And so I ask my parents to buy me a guitar and my father says to me the words that I already foresaw and which plunged me into endless longing:

“For starters, you can try on acoustics, and if it works for you, then in a couple of years we will buy you an electric guitar.”

Then the following happened. Santa Claus brought me New Year acoustic guitar with nylon strings (apparently, he overheard that conversation), and I began to learn everything I could. I learned quickly, perhaps even too much, because I easily filmed parts by ear and was too lazy to once again look at notes and tabs, as a result of which it took me years to start playing some songs correctly. But I really got it. However, something always pissed me off. Everything I played didn't sound the way I wanted it to. I went to all sorts of tricks to bring my sound closer to the sound of electric guitars that I heard on TV and on records. I have found that the sound will be sharper, nasal and thicker if the strings are struck very close to saddle. But still, he was not at all like Richie Sambora from Bon Jovi on the Slippery When Wet album. I tried to put a microphone inside the guitar through the sound hole and connected it to the amplifier (and who hasn't tried?!), but the sound came out booming and strange and never like Gary Moore's "Still Got The Blues".

Two years later, Santa Claus returned with a new gift. This time he brought me a fairly cheap electric guitar. And it was cool, for several reasons: firstly, the electric guitar itself looks awesome, and secondly, since it was a cheap model, something always fell off from it, thanks to which at the age of 12 I already knew a lot about the device guitar and learned how to fix it. Surprisingly for me, this minus turned into a big and fat plus. Still, my guitar sound did not sound like my favorite records, but I already knew enough about guitars to understand why: my inexpensive combo amp had only two knobs - volume and tone. No overload. Overdrive and distortion is what most of us think of when we talk about the sound of an electric guitar. In short, I had to wait for my birthday to get the overdrive pedal. Then, finally, I had the opportunity to play for real. And really loud.

Many years later, when I began teaching guitar, I was often asked by both students and their parents: “Which is better to start learning on - acoustic or electric guitar?” I always answered like this: “Whatever you want to play in the future, learn from it.” An acoustic guitar is not a tricycle, from which you then change to an adult bike. This is especially true for nylon-stringed classical guitars, where the height and spacing of the strings, as well as the width of the neck, are like day and night different from what you will have to face when you “grow up” to an electric guitar. Acoustic guitar is worth learning if you initially plan to play acoustic. Only in this case you will hear from under your fingers precisely those sounds that inspire and guide you. If you see yourself playing the electric guitar in the future, start with it! So your real sound will be much closer to the idea that you have in your head.

I had one student who loved metal, but her dad bought her an acoustic guitar with a very high string position. No matter what she did, the sound still did not turn out the way she wanted. Another student found herself in a similar situation, but after six months of stable progress, she bought herself an Epiphone Les Paul, after which her playing literally changed - for example, she began to shoot Muse songs with ease and actively compose her own. The moral of the story is that if your guitar sounds like the instrument that inspired you to start learning, you are much more likely to develop your musical abilities rather than get frustrated and quit. But the world so lacks good guitarists! 

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