Classical Guitar

About the Sound and Character

The sound of the classical guitar (with nylon strings) is soft, rounded, warm, and intimate. It is capable of sounding both passionate and percussive (in the flamenco style, with soundboard strikes) as well as melancholic and lyrical like a miniature orchestra.

Structure and Features

Figure-eight shaped body (spruce or cedar top, rosewood back and sides). Wide flat neck without radius, 19 metal frets. Strung with 6 strings (nylon today, gut historically). Played using fingerstyle technique (without a pick).

Genres

• Classical academic music
• Flamenco and bossa nova
• Latin American folk and romances