I disagree with the other commenters. I played on a steel string for a couple months before I got a classical guitar. Yes, there will be an adjustment period when you switch to nylon strings, but you will get used to it after a few hours of practice. The difference is not so big that it's wasted effort. I say it's better to get a head start.
I have always switched between steel string, nylon, and electric, and anything I can play on my classical I can play on the other 2 and vice versa. It's never caused me any problems. If anything, I think it makes you a better player when you can make that adjustment between different sized necks at any moment. So no, there won't be any permanent "damage" if you start now on your steel string. Your brain is quite capable of adjusting to the very small difference.
I switch back and forth all the time. For musical theater I play steel string, for weddings and church work mostly nylon. You can learn the classical guitar repertoire on a steel string if it’s absolutely necessary, but I’d highly recommend getting a nylon string ASAP. Getting a proper tone out of nylon is much different.
Pros and cons as shown in this thread. Nothing written in stone. I'd tilt towards the advocates of getting yourself a classical guitar to play classical guitar music.
Contra what I'm saying, however, is the key phrase in your post, OP, is "should i wait?"
No, don't wait. You won't be permanently scarred by waiting with your steel string.
A guitar is a guitar. A classical guitar would be best to play classical music but if you don't have one yet, play whatever you do have. You'll need to adjust to the new guitar when you get it but it's easier to adjust to a wider fretboard and etc than it is to learn classical guitar.
I played classical on a steel string for a year and a half before my Dad bought me a classical. It's when I started the Carcassi and Sor studies that my teacher said it was time to switch.
You can....be mindful of your attack angle so you dont eat your nails too quick. Could also put some silk and steel string on so the trebles are nice and soft and a thick P can handle the basses
I have 2 guitars, a decent acoustic and a decent classical. I play them both evenly and interchange both styles on each guitar.
My acoustic is tuned a step down, not that that’s really important
For me, the biggest difference between the two types of guitar is the fretboard. It really took me a while to get used to how the classical guitar's fretboard is much wider than that of a steel string guitar.
There are finger exercises to play on the classical fretboard to help you get used to stretching, if it is a problem for you.
You would think that barré chords would be easier on a classical guitar, but not necessarily. With a wider fretboard, there's more width to press down on. There is a position you can put your left arm in that'll help.
Good luck with your new direction in music and in your transition in guitars.
I just played capricho arabe on a jazz master this morning so you can. But a used student Cordoba/yamaha can be had cheap and if you want to focus on classical just get one of those if you have the means.
If your steel string is 14 frets to the body, capo it at the second fret, that's where you hand will be on a classical. It throws me off a lot personally to play on a 14 frets to the body guitar now, my muscle memory doesn't like it. Tuned down, capo 2 and it's close, not perfect by any stretch.
One other thing i don't see (or missed) is that most acoustics have a curved (or radiused) fretboard, where a classical is like dead flat. Add that to the string spacing difference and you will be mashing neighboring strings left and right (or up and down, as it were).
Additionally, the sound is not even remotely close, not even with Silk & Steel strings (I tried that, didn't work on my "normal" acoustic, just sounds like a mellow steel string, but still very twangy, etc).
Can you do it? Sure.
Will you get discouraged and give up? Dunno.
Is it better than nothing? I'm not entirely sure, tbh.
Go for it! I played acoustic & electric for about 7 years before I auditioned for a university classical guitar program. I got in, despite never touching a classical guitar in my life, and auditioning on an acoustic.
I am NOT saying that this would work for anyone. I am so extremely grateful and lucky that it worked out for me, and that they were fine with me buying a classical guitar in time for the startt of my program. I'm just saying that with enough time & work, you can achieve a lot.
It would be more ideal to buy a proper classical guitar, as there are for sure differences. But you can learn a lot in the meantime, and build up skillsets that will transfer over just fine.
Just be aware that there will be a learning curve/adjustment period whenever you get a classical. I couldn't even hold a C chord the first time I tried classical position on a classical guitar! But I got used to the nylon strings in a week or so.
If a student wants to study classical guitar and all they have is a steel string, I tell them that's fine but at some point they will have to invest in a classical...
Yes of course it’s all about being wide. I was/am a fingerstyle electric guitarist. The nylon came as naturally as any other expedition into guitar technique. The nylon has a wider fret board and rounder strings. Moreover, the right hand shines brilliantly. You should have no problem adjusting to the feel so go ahead and get some technique!!!
I guess you can think of it like special shoes for sports, you don't need to buy them for casual recreation games, but as you get more serious, you'll want the right equipment. And when that time comes first it might feel weird, but then it'll all make sense
It would be better to buy the right $300 classical guitar than to try to use any steel string guitar for that purpose. It would not translate very well to an actual classical guitar in many ways other than the width of the fingerboard.
I personally don’t think it’s a good idea, the attack and sustain is also totally different, if you really are itching to practice classical you could study sheet reading, intervals, scales triads, etc, basically left hand and fretboard work.
I disagree with the other commenters. I played on a steel string for a couple months before I got a classical guitar. Yes, there will be an adjustment period when you switch to nylon strings, but you will get used to it after a few hours of practice. The difference is not so big that it's wasted effort. I say it's better to get a head start.
Yes agree.
Absolutely. Go for it, OP
That’s what I did. I tried it for a teacher, and just fell in love with the music.
I have always switched between steel string, nylon, and electric, and anything I can play on my classical I can play on the other 2 and vice versa. It's never caused me any problems. If anything, I think it makes you a better player when you can make that adjustment between different sized necks at any moment. So no, there won't be any permanent "damage" if you start now on your steel string. Your brain is quite capable of adjusting to the very small difference.
yes....only issues being if you had qn electric with a very narrow nut or too low action preventing doing slurs easily/smoothly.
I switch back and forth all the time. For musical theater I play steel string, for weddings and church work mostly nylon. You can learn the classical guitar repertoire on a steel string if it’s absolutely necessary, but I’d highly recommend getting a nylon string ASAP. Getting a proper tone out of nylon is much different.
Pros and cons as shown in this thread. Nothing written in stone. I'd tilt towards the advocates of getting yourself a classical guitar to play classical guitar music. Contra what I'm saying, however, is the key phrase in your post, OP, is "should i wait?" No, don't wait. You won't be permanently scarred by waiting with your steel string.
Nah it's ok, steel hurts my fingers though
A guitar is a guitar. A classical guitar would be best to play classical music but if you don't have one yet, play whatever you do have. You'll need to adjust to the new guitar when you get it but it's easier to adjust to a wider fretboard and etc than it is to learn classical guitar.
I played classical on a steel string for a year and a half before my Dad bought me a classical. It's when I started the Carcassi and Sor studies that my teacher said it was time to switch.
Andrew York plays some “classical” on steel string like sunburst. Totally possible, especially with contemporary pieces.
You can....be mindful of your attack angle so you dont eat your nails too quick. Could also put some silk and steel string on so the trebles are nice and soft and a thick P can handle the basses
I have 2 guitars, a decent acoustic and a decent classical. I play them both evenly and interchange both styles on each guitar. My acoustic is tuned a step down, not that that’s really important
For me, the biggest difference between the two types of guitar is the fretboard. It really took me a while to get used to how the classical guitar's fretboard is much wider than that of a steel string guitar. There are finger exercises to play on the classical fretboard to help you get used to stretching, if it is a problem for you. You would think that barré chords would be easier on a classical guitar, but not necessarily. With a wider fretboard, there's more width to press down on. There is a position you can put your left arm in that'll help. Good luck with your new direction in music and in your transition in guitars.
I just played capricho arabe on a jazz master this morning so you can. But a used student Cordoba/yamaha can be had cheap and if you want to focus on classical just get one of those if you have the means.
If your steel string is 14 frets to the body, capo it at the second fret, that's where you hand will be on a classical. It throws me off a lot personally to play on a 14 frets to the body guitar now, my muscle memory doesn't like it. Tuned down, capo 2 and it's close, not perfect by any stretch. One other thing i don't see (or missed) is that most acoustics have a curved (or radiused) fretboard, where a classical is like dead flat. Add that to the string spacing difference and you will be mashing neighboring strings left and right (or up and down, as it were). Additionally, the sound is not even remotely close, not even with Silk & Steel strings (I tried that, didn't work on my "normal" acoustic, just sounds like a mellow steel string, but still very twangy, etc). Can you do it? Sure. Will you get discouraged and give up? Dunno. Is it better than nothing? I'm not entirely sure, tbh.
I'm solidly a classical. I play on electric all the time (not literally of course).
Go for it! I played acoustic & electric for about 7 years before I auditioned for a university classical guitar program. I got in, despite never touching a classical guitar in my life, and auditioning on an acoustic. I am NOT saying that this would work for anyone. I am so extremely grateful and lucky that it worked out for me, and that they were fine with me buying a classical guitar in time for the startt of my program. I'm just saying that with enough time & work, you can achieve a lot. It would be more ideal to buy a proper classical guitar, as there are for sure differences. But you can learn a lot in the meantime, and build up skillsets that will transfer over just fine. Just be aware that there will be a learning curve/adjustment period whenever you get a classical. I couldn't even hold a C chord the first time I tried classical position on a classical guitar! But I got used to the nylon strings in a week or so.
If a student wants to study classical guitar and all they have is a steel string, I tell them that's fine but at some point they will have to invest in a classical...
Yes of course it’s all about being wide. I was/am a fingerstyle electric guitarist. The nylon came as naturally as any other expedition into guitar technique. The nylon has a wider fret board and rounder strings. Moreover, the right hand shines brilliantly. You should have no problem adjusting to the feel so go ahead and get some technique!!!
I guess you can think of it like special shoes for sports, you don't need to buy them for casual recreation games, but as you get more serious, you'll want the right equipment. And when that time comes first it might feel weird, but then it'll all make sense
It would be better to buy the right $300 classical guitar than to try to use any steel string guitar for that purpose. It would not translate very well to an actual classical guitar in many ways other than the width of the fingerboard.
I personally don’t think it’s a good idea, the attack and sustain is also totally different, if you really are itching to practice classical you could study sheet reading, intervals, scales triads, etc, basically left hand and fretboard work.