The classical guitar and the flamenco guitar are two instruments with distinctive characteristics that are used in different musical contexts. Although both instruments belong to the same guitar family, there are significant differences in their construction, sound and playing technique. In this text, we will explore in detail the characteristics of the classical guitar and the flamenco guitar to better understand their differences.
The Classical Guitar
The classical guitar is an instrument that originated in the 18th century and has become a fundamental element in classical music and other musical genres. It is characterized by its warm, balanced sound, precise construction and refined playing technique. The classical guitar generally has six nylon or gut strings, which produce a smooth, round tone.
In terms of construction, the classical guitar has a large, deep soundboard, which gives it good volume and a rich tonal quality. They are built with luxurious woods, imported from other countries. Originally, the most common woods were Maple (imported from Canada) or Rio Rosewood (imported from Brazil). This made the guitars very expensive and most musicians did not have access to them.
The neck of the classical guitar is usually wider and flatter compared to the flamenco guitar, which allows a greater separation between the strings and facilitates the execution of complex chords and arpeggios. In addition, the classical guitar has prominent frets that help the musician to obtain precise tuning and cleaner execution.
In terms of playing technique, the classical guitar is played with the fingers using the right hand technique known as “rasgueo” or “punteo”. This technique involves using the thumb, index, middle and ring fingers to strike or strum the strings individually or simultaneously. The classical guitar is also played with a rest called a “pickguard” that is placed on the top of the instrument to protect it from vigorous strumming.
The Flamenco Guitar
On the other hand, the flamenco guitar is an instrument that is mainly used in flamenco music, a traditional genre from Spain known for its passion and energy. The flamenco guitar has a brighter and more percussive sound compared to the classical guitar. It is often used to accompany flamenco singing and dancing.
In terms of construction, the flamenco guitar has a thinner and shallower soundboard than the classical guitar. The flamenco guitar is made of wood native to Spain, specifically Cypress, allowing it to offer a more economical guitar. This gives it a sharper and more focused sound, which facilitates the projection of the instrument in environments where more volume is required, such as the flamenco tablao. In addition, the neck of the flamenco guitar is usually narrower and more curved, which allows a faster and more agile execution of the falsetas (melodic phrases) and flamenco rasgueos.
In terms of playing technique, the flamenco guitar is played with the fingers and fingernails of the right hand. The main technique used is strumming, which involves striking the strings with the fingers in a rapid, rhythmic motion. In addition to rasgueo, flamenco guitar is also played with techniques such as punteo, tremolo and golpe, which add variety and expressiveness to the performance.
In summary, the classical guitar and the flamenco guitar are two instruments with distinctive characteristics. While the classical guitar is associated with classical music and is noted for its warm and balanced sound, the flamenco guitar is used in the context of flamenco and has a brighter and more percussive sound. Both guitars have their own place and beauty in the world of music, and their choice depends on the style and preferences of the musician. Discover the best examples and much more guitar history in our Museum! Don’t miss it!
