Although a mention of the word “guitar” conjures up an image in each person who hears it, this image is influenced strongly by our own preferences. What comes to your mind may be completely different than what another person things. It all comes down to what you like.
Guitars come in a wide variety of forms, even experimental. Many of them might be known by other names now, for the idea of a stringed instrument that is played by plucking the strings has led to many variations. Even so, the main distinction today is between the acoustic guitar and the electric guitar. An acoustic guitar creates its sound directly by the action of the strings with the only amplification coming from the hollowed out body of the instrument.
The electric guitar uses electronic amplification. Most electric guitars make very little sound without the amplification. There are many types of acoustic guitars. The classic guitar has nylon strings and is most often played in a seated position. Another version is the modern ten string guitar. The Portuguese guitar is a 12 string instrument developed to play the local folk songs of that nation.
The number of strings and the amplification method are not the only ways that guitars are differentiated. The “steel string” guitars are separated by their design. There is a flat top steel string guitar and an arch top version. A knowledge of musical theory is really necessary to understand the different types of guitars and string arrangements. The tuning and pitch of the guitar differs from type to type. The type of music and its complexity is another factor that influences guitar construction.
The electric guitar is much newer, but has become the guitar of choice for many musicians playing country music and is almost universal in rock and pop music. The electric guitar is used in virtually all forms of music even church and school bands feature this loud version. Electric guitars are divided into variations in much the same manner as the acoustic guitar. The number of strings, for example, differs. Various musicians have introduced seven string and eight string versions and made them popular. The tone and pitch of the instrument is also a dividing factor. The bass guitar that is such an important part of modern pop and rock bands is an example.
The plain wooden six string acoustic guitar of the folk musician is often the first guitar a beginner learns to play. One of the advantages of a guitar is that it is rather easy to learn to play the basic chords. The choice of guitar will depend on personal preference, the type of music that you are interested in playing, and to a large degree, your budget.
