Guitar-like instruments, like the lute, have been dated back as far as 3100 BCE making them one of the oldest musical instruments. Since its development all that time ago, the guitar has been through many changes. Now there are a huge number of different guitars available, but there are five main types of guitar that these will fall into:
Classical Guitars
The classical guitar, also known as the Spanish guitar, was originally made to play classical or flamenco music, but they are now used to play whichever type of music the player desires.
Classical guitars tend to feature nylon strings which are easier on the fingers and produce a mellower sound than steel strings. Classical guitars are often available in a variety of sizes, making them a great option for young players. The sound they produce, the often cheaper price, and the variety in sizes available have made the classical guitar the most popular for beginners.
Acoustic Guitar
The acoustic guitar is similar to the classical guitar, but instead of nylon strings, it is typically made with steel strings that produce a much louder sound. There are a number of different types of acoustic guitars that you can play, including the dreadnought and twelve-string guitars.
Electro-Acoustic Guitar
The electro-acoustic guitar is basically the same as an acoustic guitar but with the option to amplify the sound by plugging it into amplifiers. Electro-acoustic guitars are also popular for use with recording equipment and sound effect pedals.
Electric Guitar
Electric guitars differ from other guitars because they produce a sound by converting the strings’ vibration into electric signals. Meaning that, unlike the other guitar types, you cannot just pick up an electric guitar and play it. You will need to plug the electric guitar into an amplifier to get a sound.
Bass Guitar
The bass guitar is designed to produce a much lower tone than the other guitars. Most modern bass guitars are electric and feature four strings, though some bass guitars do have five or six strings.