Acoustic guitars are a highly popular starter instrument. Why an acoustic guitar?
It’s affordable, easy to transport, quiet enough not to disturb others during practice, relatively easy to get a nice sound from and doesn’t need any additional equipment like amplification.
It can also been seen as a more serious instrument to learn on first if a child ultimately wants to play electric guitar, as the skills and techniques can be transferred. There is a scholl of thought that suggests an electric guitar is a good starter instrument too, but we’ll discuss that here and in the videos we’ve produced to assist you.
There are two types of acoustic guitar:
- Classical, which is strung with nylon strings
- Steel strung, which is what is most often meant when someone refers to an acoustic guitar.
The classical guitar is considered to be best for beginners as nylon strings are much easier to play than steel – the lighter string tension makes it much easier to press the string down onto the fretboard to sound a note, and the strings are much easier on the hands.
The body of an acoustic guitar is composed of the top, also called the soundboard that is supported by internal bracing; the sides, and the back that together form a hollow chamber. The upper body curves are referred to as the upper bout, the usually larger lower body curves are called the lower bout, and the area between them is referred to as the waist.
The size and shape of the body influences both the sound and playability of the instrument. Finding a body shape that matches your physical and musical needs will help ensure you choose the right acoustic guitar.
The Acoustic-Electric Guitar
An acoustic electric guitar is defined as an acoustic guitar that is fitted with electronics and pick ups that allow the guitar to be plugged in and amplified.
Many musicians find it helpful to be able to plug in their acoustic guitar, but how does an acoustic-electric guitar work? These guitars boast the addition of a pickup system inside the body that turns the vibrations of the soundboard into electronic signals. These signals can be weak, so most acoustic-electric guitars use a preamp to make them stronger.
The preamp is typically located on the side of the guitar that faces up while playing. It includes volume and tone controls, and sometimes a built-in tuner.
It is important to make sure that you choose a guitar that will produce the sound you want, but also one that is comfortable for you to play whether you are sitting or standing.
The sound board is the top portion of the body of the guitar. In general, the larger the soundboard, the deeper and louder the sound. Other styles combine a large soundboard with a narrow waist to make the guitar more comfortable. The most popular soundboard is a solid top (as opposed to laminate). Laminate does not vibrate as well as solid wood does, so it does not produce as rich a sound or as great a volume. It is, however, an option for beginners, looking for a budget start.