In the field of guitars, there are two main categories: electric guitars and acoustic guitars. The flamenco guitar is part of this second family of acoustic guitars.
The flamenco guitar has always been very popular to accompany dance and singing, but also as a solo instrument, especially for classical or Hispanic music.
The technique for playing it is the same as for classical guitar, however the right hand play is more aggressive and faster. As a result, the sound produced is brilliant, dry and percussive, but it is also less powerful than on the classical guitar.
The characteristics of the flamenco guitar
Finally, the flamenco guitar is very similar to the classical guitar in its form, but also in its strings since both include nylon strings.
On the other hand, there are differences: first, the flamenco guitar is smaller and lighter than the classical guitar. Its small size makes the sides narrower and the soundboard thinner than on the classical guitar.
Secondly, the string pitch of the flamenco guitar is lower than on the classical guitar, which means that the gap between the strings and the fingerboard is less important.
Thirdly, the construction wood of the flamenco guitar is different from that of the classical guitar, since it is usually made of spruce for the soundboard and cypress for the sides, or even rosewood, which is a much cheaper wood.
How to choose a flamenco guitar
The best way to choose a flamenco guitar is to try several and see which one is the most comfortable. By trying out several flamenco guitars, we can also test several different lengths and heights of strings and several guitar makers. Thus, we will be able to make an informed choice as to which one is best for us.
If you are a knowledgeable musician and know the sound of a classical guitar well, it will certainly be easier for you to select a flamenco guitar, based on its sound. Indeed, the sound of a flamenco guitar is less clear and sharp than that of a classical guitar, because the basses curl in order to produce a broken sound. On the other hand, high frequencies always provide a clear and shaky sound. It is in this “curling” of the bass notes that the difference with a classical guitar lies.
The playing movements are also different on a flamenco guitar or a classical guitar. On a flamenco guitar, the movements are fast, because improvisation is something important. It’s a very expressive game, with a lot of character.
It is especially the right hand playing that is really different between the two types of guitar. On the flamenco guitar, the playing is faster and more aggressive, as we have already said, but special techniques are also used, such as: the “golpe” allows the musician to hit the resonance box in rhythm with his fingers; the “stop” where the string rolls on the flesh of the finger and slams on the nail.
The choice of a flamenco guitar is therefore made according to several criteria: the type of music you want to play (accompaniment, individual, etc.), the playing techniques you have (as mentioned above) and the ease you have when playing this guitar, especially compared to the classical guitar.
The soundboard is an equally essential criterion in the choice of the flamenco guitar (you will be redirected to the website LaCarteMusique.fr). As on all the other guitars, this one plays a determining role on the sound emitted by this instrument. This role is even more decisive when it comes to highly percussive music such as flamenco. When choosing, it is better to surf on a solid wood soundboard. Spruce is the most suitable species for this purpose. It will also be necessary to check that your flamenco guitar does indeed have a golpeador. It is actually a transparent plate that protects the table from damage that can be caused by nail or finger blows.
When buying, it is equally important to determine whether you want an electro-acoustic flamenco guitar or not. There are indeed some flamenco guitars that are equipped with an electrification system for stage performances. The main purpose of this system is to intensify the sound in order to adapt it to the requirements of a stage performance. However, if the purchase is for personal use in apartheid or only to play with friends, it is not really necessary to dwell on this aspect since the guitar itself is already very powerful.
Presentation of two models
Here are two models of flamenco guitars, at two different prices:
Francisco Molina’s Guitar, a size 4/4, handmade in Spain, at just over 500 euros. The soundboard is made of solid fir, the soundbox of cypress, the fingerboards of ebony and the neck of cedar.
Ashton Flamenco Guitar, at about 250 euros, in fir.
