As a widely used musical instrument, the guitar has two important genres: classical guitar and folk guitar. Although they look similar in appearance, they differ significantly in structure, playing style, learning methods, and artistic content.

Differences in Structural Appearance
- Strings:Classical guitars use nylon strings, while folk guitars use steel strings.
- Soundboard:Classical guitars do not have a soundboard, as they are often used for solo performances. Folk guitars have a soundboard to prevent scratching the top panel while strumming.
- Headstock:Classical guitars have two string slots on the headstock, with the tuning pegs inside. Folk guitars often have a rectangular solid wood headstock with tuning pegs on the surface.
- Fretboard:The fretboard of a folk guitar has a bridge and six holes for the strings to pass through, serving as another component to anchor the strings. Classical guitars lack string anchors and holes on the fretboard.
- Bridge:The upper end of the bridge on a folk guitar is curved, while the bridge on a classical guitar is straight.
- Fretboard Shape:The fretboard of a folk guitar is narrower with a slight curvature, facilitating fingerstyle playing and chord pressing. The fretboard of a classical guitar is wider and straight, with larger string spacing, suitable for fingerpicking and playing.

Differences in Playing Styles
Classical guitars can engage in various playing styles such as solo, ensemble, concerto, and accompaniment. Folk guitar playing is more singular, mainly focused on accompaniment. Some people use steel-string folk guitars for fingerstyle playing, creating alternative styles, but in terms of musical artistry, classical guitars generally exhibit stronger expressive power.

【Folk guitar performance】

【Classical Guitar Performance】

Different Learning Methods
Considering the nature of playing, the learning methods and approaches for these two types of guitars are different. Classical guitar learning involves formal postures, training, and systematic practice, emphasizing strictness and professionalism. Folk guitar learning is more flexible, but attention needs to be paid to accompaniment types and rhythm. Overall, it is relatively simple to get started, but transitioning from folk guitar to classical guitar can be challenging. It may require a long time to correct certain fingerings and techniques, and formal training is needed to improve speed.

【Classical Guitar】

【 Folk pop guitar 】

Different Artistic Connotations
Classical guitar represents the continuous development of musical art. As one of the world's three major instruments, the classical guitar inherits and promotes the essence of musical art. Its expressive power even surpasses that of other instruments. Beethoven and Brouwer, the 20th-century spokespersons for world music, have highly praised classical guitar. Therefore, classical guitar represents a higher level of art, demanding a high level of musical appreciation. Folk guitar's artistic connotation is generally subordinate to the singer and the song. It truly expresses the essence of the song through accompaniment, requiring good coordination between both parties.

【Classical Guitar Stage Performance】

Regardless of which type of guitar you choose, continuous learning, practice, exploration, and innovation are necessary to truly unleash their charm and expressiveness. Hopefully, this article helps you better understand the differences between classical and folk guitars and find the guitar that suits you!