In the world of guitar, certain phrases have become a sort of “inside jargon”. On the surface, they imply something. But unless we’re familiar with the “scene” we may not understand the nuances.
Among these are the terms “classical” and “fingerstyle”. “Fingerpicking” could also fit. So let’s explore these terms and to what (in general) they refer.
If we look at the word “fingerstyle”, it means that we pluck the strings with our fingers, instead of a pick (plectrum). We can use a classical or acoustic guitar for fingerstyle playing.
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The traits below are sweeping generalizations, and outliers do exist. But stereotypes serve a use, and these are some for fingerstyle playing:
Steel-string acoustic guitar – Most self-identified fingerstyle guitarists choose to play on steel-string guitar. You might have guitar players who play fingerstyle on electric guitar, but very rarely.
Alternate Tunings – Though not always, fingerstyle guitarists frequently use non-standard tunings, as well as capos. Combining fingerpicking patterns in the right hand (picking hand) with open-strings as drones (notes that constantly overring) can give the music a full, rich texture.
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Melody/accompaniment – Many fingerstyle guitarists choose to play a vocal-like melody, with accompaniment. Song-forms usually hold to verse-chorus patterns, much like pop songs.
Music self-composed or arranged – Most prominent fingerstyle guitarists tend to play their own compositions, mixed with arrangements of popular tunes. Players often prefer to play by ear or use TABs, as opposed to musical notation.
Self-Taught – Fingerstyle is most often self-taught. There is no consensus around what makes “good technique”. Any hand position (for both the left and right hand), or use of the body is generally accepted. While some players do take acoustic guitar lessons with others who play fingerstyle, those teachers are likely self-taught.
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“This is one of those confusing terms, where the word for a technique has come to mean a musical style. We have much the same situation with ”flatpicking“ where if you take it literally, then anyone who plays with a flat pick (rock players, jazz players, etc) would be flatpicking.
But instead it usually means a specific style of music, that you sort of know when you hear it. ”Fingerstyle“ usually means playing on a steel string guitar, and there’s a tendency to use or at least accept altered tunings (by no means universal), and to play one’s own compositions (again, not at all universal).
Fingerstyle is often thought of as being influenced by folk music, pop music, and often gets labeled ”new age“ because of some of the Windham Hill pioneers in ”fingerstyle“.
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To make it more confusing, there are ”fingerpickers“ who vehemently resist the name ”fingerstyle“, even tho they share a lot in common, tho ”fingerpickers“ usually fall more into the Chet Atkins camp, or country blues, or…
And of course, you have ”fingerstyle“ players like Muriel Anderson, who mostly plays a classical guitar, and steel string players like Peppino d’Agostino, and Peter Finger who sometimes play classical on a steel string. Or Michael Chapdelaine, a classical guitar professor, who most often plays on a steel string, and might play Bach one minute and Hang On Sloopy the next.”
The term “classical guitar” can refer to a specific instrument, a style of playing, or a course of study. People often associate “classical guitar” with Spanish Guitar Music.
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Below are some common traits of classical guitar. There will be exceptions, but these traits hold true the large majority of the time.
Focus on technique – While other styles may have other primary foci, those learning classical guitar spend consistent practice time on the “how” of playing, such as positioning the body of the guitar. Fine details of movement and position in both the left hand and right hand are common practice areas.
Read music – Classical guitar is most commonly played using composed music written in standard musical notation. This is in contrast with improvised music or self-composed music. (Again, some classical guitarists also compose, but these are few.)
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Polyphonic (multiple musical voices at once) – Classical guitar music often has melody, bass notes, and accompaniment. This creates rich textures and complex technical requirements, which is why it helps to…
Study with a teacher – Because of the focus on technique and musical literacy, classical guitarists often study with teachers who have in turn studied with teachers. These could be in-person guitar lessons, or via video or online program.
Nylon-stringed Instrument – Classical guitars (the instrument) usually use nylon strings for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd strings. The bass strings are nylon with a metal coating. These instruments can be easily recognized because the treble strings look like fishing line.
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That said, when it comes to the physical act of playing solo guitar, the classical guitar offers a straighter road to mastery. Because of the focus on movement and position, classical guitar technique may offer reduced chances of injury, including repetitive stress injuries (RSI).
“The main thing is… the techniques are very similar, with the classical approach tending to be a little more organized and methodical, so learn from both, and play what you like!”
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I started as a folk guitarist, then fell in love with classical guitar in my 20’s. Despite a lot of practice and schooling, I still couldn’t get my music to flow well. I struggled with excess tension. My music sounded forced. And my hands and body were often sore. I got frustrated, and couldn’t see the way forward. Then, over the next decade, I studied with two other stellar teachers – one focused on the technical movements, and one on the musical (he was a concert pianist). In time, I came to discover a new set of formulas and movements. These brought new life and vitality to my practice. Now I help guitarists find more comfort and flow in their music, so they play more beautifully.
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For the first time ever, I have achieved great tone on my acoustic guitars. I've been studying fingerstyle guitar and music theory for about one year now. Tonight is the first time, I feel quite satisfied with my ability to produce a nice clear tone when striking the strings with my right hand fingers. By following your training videos in the program, I'm gradually developing my fingerstyle playing ability. KUDOS to you, Allen Mathews. ~ Joaquin Kenyon -Joaquin Kenyon
Hi Allen, Greetings from the UK. I would like to thank you for providing such an excellent resource. The effort and skill which has gone into creating this program is very evident. I started classical guitar a year or so ago with a teacher but was unable to commit to same time regular slots each week. The Woodshed Program was exactly what I was looking for. I have found the site very intuitive and well structured and have taken your advice and started from the very beginning of the program whilst still practising some of the pieces I was already working on. It is clear that I will benefit greatly from these early technical studies. There were clearly weaknesses and gaps in my knowledge even though I am still at an early stage. Once again many thanks for the program and very best wishes. ~ Rodger Paylor -Rodger PayloThis is a loaded question with a long history of distinctions to consider, but I’d like to highlight some of the key differences when talking about classical versus acoustic guitar.
Ultimately, the goal is to better understand these different types of guitars, and help you make the decision of which style guitar is right for you!
Fingerstyle Steelstring Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Acoustic Guitar vs. classical guitar: Summary of Differences 1. Classical Guitar Strings vs. Acoustic Guitar Strings 2. Guitar Anatomical Differences 3. Differences in Guitar Tonality (timbre) 4. Differences in Guitar Playing Styles
Can classical guitar be played as an acoustic guitar and vice-versa? You bet! Check out my blog post here for more info.
When people refer to ‘acoustic’ guitars, they are likely referring to a “steel string acoustic” guitar with strings made of metal, whereas classical guitars use nylon strings which have a silky, smooth, plastic-like feel.
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Steel string guitars can be described as having a bright, twangy sound, whereas classical guitars are described as having a mellow, resonant sound.
Today, people consider a ‘modern classical guitar’ one that follows the innovative and revolutionary designs of the 19th-century Spanish luthier Antonio Torres Jurado.
Prior to the introduction of steel strings in the early 1900s by C.F. Martin & Company and the invention of nylon guitar strings in 1947 by Albert Augustine Strings, ‘gut’ or ‘catgut’ was the most commonly used string material (read more on catgut here).
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However, once the new and improved steel and nylon string materials became available most players moved away from using catgut strings entirely.
The rising popularity of steel strings in the early 1900s can be credited to their creators at C.F. Martin & Company. The new steel string material paved the way for other changes and experiments with guitar anatomy, and led to the production of various steel-string guitar models that are known today (
Steel-string guitars were further popularized by infamous guitar luthiers such as Gibson, and Taylor. Most folk, acoustic rock, and jazz guitarists prefer the sound
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