The acoustic guitar is mostly favored for country and folk music, as well as for blues and rock. It is made with a hollow body with an opening in the center (as is the classical guitar) so that when the strings are strummed or plucked, the sound resonates throughout the body. Because the acoustic guitar has the stronger steel strings in order to produce louder and brighter sounds, unlike other guitars, its body must be made from heavier woods like maple, mahogany or spruce.

That fact also requires the use of a pick as well as the fingers, when played. Thanks to modern technology, acoustic guitars may be equipped with built-in electronics which enables them to be used as instruments in larger bands as well.

The classical guitar (the most commonly known or purchased guitar) resembles the acoustic guitar in that it has the hollow body with the opening as well. The difference is that because its six strings are made of nylon there is less tension than with those of steel, thereby making it easier to strum or pluck without necessarily having to use a pick. Depending on the type of music chosen, whether it be Latin (this guitar is often referred to as the Spanish guitar), Flamenco, classical or other, this guitar may be used with or without amplifiers but is usually identified with solo performances.

The electric guitar differs from the previous two discussed not only in appearance and shape but also in the fact that amplifiers are a necessary component to the sound produced. Instead of the body of the guitar acting as the resonator, the electric guitar uses electronic pickups to produce the required sound which are then fed to amplifiers. Since the electric guitar uses these pickups, there is no need for the body with its opening to be shaped in a way that it would act as a resonator. Hence, the various artistically, intriguingly shaped electric guitars on display as compared to the typically shaped acoustic and classical guitars. This amplified sound is also why the electric guitar can be and is used for different kinds of music such as rock and roll, country, pop, jazz and heavy metal.

I hope this article on guitars has helped you understand a little more about this very favorite subject of mine. If you are thinking about starting to play guitar maybe you can use this as motivation to get started. I don't think you will regret it if you begin.