CLASSICAL GUITAR

Classical guitar is today experiencing a level of popularity which has not dwindled from the heights it achieved during the early rock and roll period of the 1950s. Although the introduction of the electrical or amplified guitar did a lot to shake the classical guitar’s status, the classical guitar has remained an instrument that is regarded fondly amongst musicians, music teachers, students, and music fans alike. Many famous bands and artists today who often use amplified guitars still turn to the classical version when they are in the early stages of composing and they will often choose the classical guitar to experiment and ‘jam’ with. This is due in part to the portability and versatility of the classical guitar – it doesn’t require an involved setting up stage, it doesn’t require a power source, and it is light enough to take anywhere.

The classical guitar is still in a constant state of evolution and improvement however, although certainly not to the level that electric guitars are. An example is the improved use of braces on the underside of the guitar face – the use of balsa wood, which is lighter than the previous materials used, has improved the sound and lightened the weight of the guitar significantly. A thinner face has been introduced which also helps with the sound quality – purer notes are played and volume is increased by the wider range of vibrations achieved.