Plucked instrument
The Guitar
The guitar is one of the most popular instruments in the world: it accompanies singing, carries melodies as a solo instrument, and offers a rewarding, versatile way into music.
At a glance
The guitar is a plucked instrument with six strings, played either one note at a time or held down in chords. It is enormously versatile: you can accompany singing, play melodies and shape whole pieces as a soloist. The main distinction is between the classical guitar, with its soft nylon strings, and the steel-string acoustic, which is brighter and louder.
History & origins
The guitar descends from the lute family and from the Spanish vihuela. Its modern classical form was shaped by the Spanish luthier Antonio de Torres in the middle of the nineteenth century. Numerous variants grew out of it — from the flamenco guitar to the steel-string acoustic — and today it ranks among the most widespread instruments in the world.
Construction & how it works
The hollow body with its soundhole amplifies the vibration of the strings. The neck carries a fingerboard with frets — small metal bars that fix the pitches exactly. The tuning machines sit at the head. When a string is plucked or struck, the bridge transmits the vibration to the top, which radiates the sound. Nylon strings give the classical guitar a warm, round tone, while the steel-string acoustic sounds brighter and carries further.
Sound & tuning
The standard tuning is E, A, d, g, h, e′ — in the German naming system, where “h” is the note called B in English usage. The frets fix the pitches in equal temperament, so you can play in every key. A capo clamps across the strings and shifts the pitch without changing the fingerings — handy when accompanying songs.
Playing & technique
The fretting hand presses the strings behind the frets while the other hand plucks with the fingers or strikes with a plectrum. Among the key techniques are rhythmic strumming of chords, fingerpicking patterns and the barre, in which one finger holds down several strings at once. A handful of chords is already enough to accompany countless songs.
Role & repertoire
The guitar is at home in almost every kind of music: in the classical concert repertoire, in folk and singer-songwriter music, in pop and rock, and in fiery flamenco. As an instrument for accompanying the voice it is hard to beat.
Getting started at our music school
Children can begin from around six; smaller guitars are made for them (1/2 and 3/4 sizes). For learning, a classical guitar with nylon strings is usually the recommendation, because they are gentler on the fingers and make starting easier. We work out the right size together.
Classical, steel-string or concert guitar?
The classical concert guitar has nylon strings, a wide neck and a warm tone — ideal for classical music and for learning. The steel-string acoustic sounds brighter and louder and is typical of folk, pop and song accompaniment. Alongside these come the flamenco guitar and, as the amplified variant, the electric guitar. For beginners the classical guitar is usually the best choice.
Care & accessories
Strings wear out over time and need changing now and then. A tuner or tuning app helps to get the instrument cleanly in tune, and a capo is useful for putting songs into a comfortable range. Wooden instruments dislike extreme dryness or damp — a sturdy case or gig bag protects them in transit.
For beginners: what makes the guitar special?
A handful of chords is enough to accompany countless songs, which is why the guitar brings a sense of achievement so quickly. It is light, portable and suits almost any kind of music, from the campfire song to the classical solo piece. Whether you want to accompany singing, play fingerstyle or take the melody, the instrument grows with your own interests. Short daily practice is the most reliable way to secure chord changes and rhythm.