Hi all, I am very fond of guitar. So finally I decided to start learning guitar. I joined an institute yesterday but I didnt inquire anything about type of guitar they will be teaching, as you know I have no idea about guitar types or styles.
The first thing I came to know is that Guitar is of 2 types.Acoustic and Electric. And ofcourse he will teach me acoustic guitar.
I have seen guitar videos and impressed especially played with fingers moved across the strings. But my instructor is saying that I will be learning only using the plectrum,no use of fingers.
Please advice whether I am moving in the right direction? Anything I need to tell/ask him? Please friends advice urgently.

if its only plectrum them it can't be classical.

what do you mean be insritute,
did you sign up to a year or something?








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Please guide me about the guitar styles, as you said classical, and which should be the base for beginners

He is teaching me on a steel-string acoustic guitar. Is it fine to start?
Will I be able to play classical guitar later after learning on a steel-string guitar or It needs seperate type of coaching?

vishal73 wrote:

He is teaching me on a steel-string acoustic guitar. Is it fine to start?
Will I be able to play classical guitar later after learning on a steel-string guitar or It needs seperate type of coaching?

Acoustic skills will transfer to electric guitar, and personally I feel it is a good idea to start on acoustic.

However, there is some problem with terminology here (possibly if English is not your first language).

A steel-string acoustic guitar is not used to play Classical guitar. To play Classical guitar, one uses an acoustic guitar with nylon strings (or, in the old days I think they used catgut or something). Classical guitarists use their fingers on their right hand (if they are not left-handed) to pick and strum the strings, and do not use a plectrum (also called a pick in American English).

If you are learning on a steel-stringed guitar using a pick, it will be more what we call "folk guitar" or simply "acoustic guitar" in American English. You can finger-pick on this kind of guitar too. Some folk guitarists use their fingertips for such picking, and some use special kinds of picks (also used by banjo players) that attach to their individual fingers and thumb. These look like a sort of artificial fingernail with a loop around it to attach it to the finger or thumb.

I learned on a steel-stringed acoustic guitar just as you are (only I had no teacher!), and later took up electric guitar. What you are learning will not technically be "Classical guitar" but it will be a fine basis for playing electric or true Classical later.








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Thank Brian,This was the answer I was looking for. It clarifies many of my doubts. I was not knowing about folk and classical guitars before thats why using the wrong terminology.
But Brian I want to play classical. So Do you suggest that I should learn from someone who teaches classical guitar? Or Initially I can start with folk guitar to learn the basics and later I can myself or with coaching switch to classical?

vishal73 wrote:

Thank Brian,This was the answer I was looking for. It clarifies many of my doubts. I was not knowing about folk and classical guitars before thats why using the wrong terminology.
But Brian I want to play classical. So Do you suggest that I should learn from someone who teaches classical guitar? Or Initially I can start with folk guitar to learn the basics and later I can myself or with coaching switch to classical?

If what you really want to play is Classical guitar, the most efficient way to learn is obviously to find a classical teacher first. But if you cannot find one, go ahead and learn folk guitar. The technique and equipment are a bit different, but chords are chords.

Good luck!








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any style you learn or he teaches is going to make you better. starting out on an acoustic is really good as well, it builds strength in your fingers very quickly. once you go to your first lesson you guys will talk, it's not like he's some robot with no ears. dont take what i ust said in the wrong way.








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In the height of his fame where some called him "Guitar God" Eric Clapton studied with Andre Segovia, the great Spanish classical master. All learning can broaden your comprehension of the instrument, a wonderful choice, so versatile, so organic, so inspiring for the voice and the mind. The late Steve Bowles of Portsmouth, Ohio used to play classical guitar and I loved to listen as he would execute some inspired, spur of the moment lick and laugh to himself, repeating it for the pleasure it brings one. As accomplished as he was he was still discovering. Joe Ferguson, a blues/rock guitar virtuoso in Portsmouth with 40 years experience told me a month ago he had learned some new chords. Explore whatever you have the opportunity to explore. It can all inform your playing, no matter what style you may settle on as your main focus. And you can even play some classical guitar with a plectrum, if you choose. The instrument will lend itself to that device if the player so chooses.
And, by the way, I met God once and he did look a lot like Clapton. "But," He said, "It's just a coincidence."








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