Can I Learn to Play "Flamenco" and "Classical" Music on a Simple Acoustic Guitar?
Posted in learn guitar on 04. May, 2010
A learn guitar question that should definitely interest you all this week
Question: Can I Learn to Play "Flamenco" and "Classical" Music on a Simple Acoustic Guitar?
Answer: You can start to learn flamenco with any decent nylon string guitar. If you decide to study flamenco seriously then you would definitely want a flamenco guitar. Yamaha makes a nice entry-level flamenco guitar. They list for around $450, but you can get one at Guitar Center for around $300. The Yamaha will play and sound as good as some flamenco guitars in the $600 to $800 range.
One word of warning — if you play flamenco on a classical guitar, you’ll need to install a clear plastic golpeador (tapping plate). They are very inexpensive, and will protect the face of the guitar when you tap on it with the fingers of your right hand. A flamenco guitar will have one already on it.
Also, if you decide to focus on flamenco, you’ll need a teacher. Flamenco involves specific techniques that are difficult to master, and the feedback from a teacher is invaluable. Otherwise you’ll end up learning everything the wrong way, and have to relearn it. It’s much easier to learn the right way the first time.
Yes, stylistically it shouldn’t be a problem. It would help a lot if you owned a classical guitar (nylon stringed, wider-necked, you know?).
Granted, it’s always easier to learn to play any style with a nicer guitar with lower action and better sound. But there’s nothin’ stoppin’ you. Most professional guitarists will say something along the lines of "90% of tone comes from your fingers". But unless you’re Yngwie Malmsteen or somethin’ it will benefit you to have a nicer instrument.
But don’t let that discourage you. Give it a shot! Get a book, take lessons, surf the Internet for some tips.
Classical and Flamenco are actually STYLES of playing. It’s True there are specific guitars for specific styles of playing.. but, if you are a really GOOD guitar player, you can play those styles on an Acoustic Electric… it’ won’t sound exactly like it would on a dedicated guitar, but you can play it none the less.
The DIFFERENCES in those guitars are.. FLAMENCOs have the LOWEST ACTION of any guitars and CLASSICAL guitars have the WIDEST fretboards of any guitars and BOTH of those gguitars don’t tolerate SLOPPY PLAYING.. you have toa actually be aable to PLAY a guitar to play one of those specialty guitars.OR the styles that go with them