Choosing the right guitar for yourself is as important to playing as having the right shoe size - if it's not right for you, you won't want to keep playing. There are three main types of guitars, each with its own advantages and disadvantages: the steel-string acoustic guitar (dreadnought), the nylon-string acoustic guitar (classical) and the electric guitar.
The dreadnought is traditionally the first guitar that someone would get when they start learning how to play. The steel strings provide for a powerful, bright sound and the strings are spaced comfortably. The main advantage to the steel-string acoustic is that you and your friends will easily be able to hear what you play. You will also, over time, develop more precise technique and stronger hands. This also can lead to a disadvantage; the steel-string acoustic can be more difficult to play at first since the strings are under more tension. This can lead to many people not continuing to play long enough to develop any basic ability or even calluses.
Of the two acoustic guitars, I like the nylon-string the best. Personally, I think the tone is warmer. Also, the strings are under very little tension, making it easier to actually fret the instrument. The only drawback to the classical from a beginner's point of view is that the strings are spaced wider than the other two guitar types, and the action (the height of the strings above the fretboard) is also higher. This makes p000020B2laying with precision a little trickier.
Last but not least is my personal favorite for beginners - the electric guitar. While it is heavier than the others (due to having a solid wood body), it is also the easiest to play. This makes it great for beginners since they will play long enough to develop calluses and get over the first hurdles and experience some success. The acoustic guitars over the long run will give you better technique, but the electric will actually have you PLAYING!!
Of course, the final decision comes down to want you want to do with the guitar. I always ask my students (and potential students), "What kind of music do you like? Which musicians do you want to sound like?" and "What guitars do they play?"
If you like old Bob Dylan, a steel-string acoustic will be great, but a hot-rodded super-Strat will make you frustrated. If Eddie Van Halen is your thing, get the hot-rodded super-Strat - anything else will leave you wanting more. Having the same instrument (or at least the same type) as your favorite player will go a long way to keeping you motivated and inspired to keep playing. These heroes and heroines of the guitar become like mentors to us leading the way. Good luck to you and your future guitar adventures!
Bill Franco is a performing & recording guitarist in St. Louis, Missouri and is also available for guitar lessons. Visit his websites at: http://www.billfranco.com/ and http://www.myspace.com/billfrancomusic
