Classical Guitar: Prelude to Acoustic Mastery or Potential Limitation?

Many aspiring guitarists wonder if starting with classical guitar might limit their future potential as acoustic players. In this article, we explore the advantages and potential drawbacks of beginning with classical guitar, and how it might affect your journey as an acoustic musician.

Is Classical Guitar a Detriment for Acoustic Players?

There is often a misconception that learning classical guitar will hinder one's ability to play acoustic guitar. However, this is a common misconception. The simple answer is no, it will not mess you up in the future for acoustic playing. If you enjoy playing acoustic music, you should focus on that. Many players get caught up in playing a style of guitar or music that they are not particularly interested in, which can be discouraging and counterproductive.

The Benefits of Classical Guitar

Playing classical guitar can actually enhance your skills for acoustic playing in several ways:

Reading Music: Classical guitar players are often trained to read music fluently. This skill is invaluable when transitioning to acoustic guitar, especially when playing songs with complex chord progressions or melodies. Right-Hand Picking Technique: Classical guitar often involves intricate and precise right-hand techniques, such as fingerpicking. This enhances the player's ability to execute complex strums and patterns, which can directly benefit your acoustic playing. Left-Hand Technique and Careful Attention to Fingerings: The left-hand techniques required for classical guitar, such as placing fingers accurately and smoothly, can improve your chord transitions and overall technique on acoustic guitar.

Rather than deterring you, classical guitar can actually make you a better acoustic player. A player I know with five years of experience in classical guitar finds that he can still play acoustic guitar perfectly well, and notes that his classical knowledge allows him to transpose easily and play steel-string acoustic guitar, even when faced with different tunings.

The Drawbacks: A Personal Perspective

However, it’s worth noting that some players may develop preferences or even a certain level of difficulty with steel-string acoustic guitars after spending a lot of time with classical guitars.

One player I know, having spent many years playing classical guitar, now finds that playing steel-string acoustic guitar is more challenging, especially with narrower string spacing on acoustic guitars. This setup is optimized for playing with a flatpick, not fingers. Whenever he picks up an acoustic, his hands feel cramped and it's much harder to form chords and pick with fingers. For him, classical guitar has simply made him more comfortable with a different style of playing that involves fingerpicking.

For him, acoustic guitar serves more as a "campfire strummer" for singing along and playing rhythm guitar. While acoustic guitars excel in sheer volume and percussiveness, this style of playing is not what he focuses on. When he wants to sing along or play rhythm guitar, he can transition back to classical guitar with ease.

Conclusion

Whether starting with classical guitar is beneficial or limiting for your acoustic playing depends on your style and preferences. If you find that classical guitar makes you more comfortable with fingerpicking and enhances your skillset, it can be a valuable addition to your musical journey. On the other hand, if you dislike the style and find it restrictive, it may be time to move on to a style that aligns better with your goals.

Ultimately, the path to becoming a great guitar player lies in your passion and dedication to the style you love. So, choose the path that brings you joy and fulfillment, whether that’s classical or acoustic guitar, or both!