Except that some is misinformation. Number 2 is incorrect. Every Torres classical guitar had a spruce top and although he favoured Rio rosewood for his top models, many modern Torres replicas use Madagascar and Indian rosewood for backs and sides. Cedar has a different tone which is preferred by some classical players but it certainly does not define a classical guitar. it is more to do with thickness, bracing and action than materials.
All these decades, I thought nylon guitars were just the same, and only, different manufacturers made a different sound from each other... Your video is very informative, thanks for sharing
Hello Dr. ANTF. Thank you for your video. As a professional guitarist with both classical and flamenco background, I have to make a few corrections to the video. First, flamenco guitars in general are not louder than classical guitars. Flamenco guitars nowadays are made with amplification in mind, and while they can be quite loud, the emphasis is on the pulsation and consistency of sound across the range rather than volume. Classical guitars are made to project in large concert spaces and often are built for maximum volume, sustain and tone color. The best examples are very even across the range, but some lesser guitars sacrifice the consistency of sound across the range for more oomph in the bass, midrange or treble. The loudest classical guitars (with high action and high tension strings) will outmuscle flamenco guitars when it comes to sheer volume. Flamenco guitars create an illusion of being louder because of the fast attack (pulsation) and low action with the buzz that comes into play when you play rasgueados or hard apoyando. It also has to do with the aggressive nature of flamenco performance. Second, the weight of a guitar varies from luthier to luthier and is heavily based on design. Classical guitars do not necessarily have thicker wood, at least when it comes to the tops. There are some guitars that have the tops so thin that one accidental golpe will make a hole in them. Check out double top guitars. When you measure the action on a guitar, it is a common practice to measure the distance from the surface of the 12th fret to the string, and not from the wood to the string. This is done to bypass the width of the fret wire itself which varies from one instrument to another. Notice how different the frets look on your two guitars, making measurement from the wood to the string irrelevant.
I never knew the difference between the two before this video. Thank you for this. Now that I'm a little more educated, I prefer the sound of the Famenco but I see or rather hear the purpose for both styles of guitaring and guitars.
I have been studying the classical guitar since a 5-6 yrs now...I always wondered what the difference was....Your video was extremely informative and very clear in getting it across. Many Thanks !
THANK YOU SO MUCH! I was on the fence on whether I wanted to get a flamenco or classical guitar. I want to play flamenco and folk music. This gives me an idea of what I want to buy first.
Thank you Dr. ANTF. This is a fantastic video. I've recently fallen in love with nylon strings. You've convinced me I should buy both as flemenco and a classical guitar.
Thanks, this was enlightening. The variety of guitars is so enormous, and for a beginner it is quite confusing. This video clarified many things that I have been wondering about lately. Great video!
WAASPM: You are correct, he does a very fine job on Leyenda. In fact, thank you. It has been about 40 years since learned it and I think that I will re-learn it again. Always liked Albenez! He was like Manuel De Falla, and Rodrigo, a Flamenco at heart!
Great info, I always thought a classical would be louder because of its larger body but I obviously didn’t take many other elements into consideration.
Well, I think flamenco guitars have more presence, not more volume: they sound brighter, with more volume on high frequencies. But classical guitars have more bass, so they sound fuller, specially when played alone
Thanks a lot for this video. I was checking flamenco and classic guitars in a store this week but I wanted to know more about the differences first. You help and guide me definitely towards Flamenco guitar :)
Amazingly crafted video, especially the last part where the two are compared. It is as if I was in darkness all this while! Thank you Sir, for the work!
Thanks so much Dr. Antf for your thorough explanation that was very clear answering every quest guitar enthusiasts are eager to learn. You answered all questions with all proven facts. You have my respects.
Thanks for the informative video. To me, it really seems like the characteristics of the flamenco guitar facilitate the expression of the "soul" of the music.
Thanks Dr Antf !! I'm getting all the information I can before deciding on my first Nylon String Classical or Flamenco Guitar. The explanation on string height is a bonus - if I opted for a classical I'll try lowering the strings. Tried several at the local Guitar Store and before I buy one, i"d like to try a Kremona CW-7, 7 String A/E Classical because I like the added choices with that lower B string.
The one major difference is the braces inside, which wasn't mentioned. Instead of the large brace under the bridge the flamenco guitar has 4 thin long ones going lengthwise in a parallel or fan position. That's what gives it a percussive sound. Also 8:50 those "metal parts" are called fretts 😀.
I just bought an old Harmony classical guitar from a second hand store. The poor thing had steel strings on it and the inner label says "use only nylon gut strings". I felt so bad so I bought it and rushed it home to take off the strings and start repairs. I am already attached to it even though I haven't played it yet since I am still waiting on the parts I ordered to come in. I ordered some really nice gold plated classical guitar tuners with ebony knobs. It has a beautiful resonant sound whenever I talk into the sound hole, so I can only imagine how nice it could potentially sound once everything is assembled and strings are placed on it. I have a few more days for the parts to come in and I'm excited to finally have a classical guitar again after about a decade of not owning one. On the subject of Flamenco: I never played a Flamenco guitar or never knew the difference until recently. I always thought Flamenco was just a style of playing. After watching this, I am going to maybe find one to try. My cousin lives in Texas and near the Mexican border, so maybe he could help me find one. I would like one just for the louder volume aspect, since classical guitars usually are too quiet when used other players with standard acoustics. I really like your work. Good job on the video.
A cogent analysis of the differences between the classical guitar and the flamenco guitar. The last section of the video was wonderful! Playing the same music on each guitar really demonstrated the strengths (and the weaknesses) of each instrument. If a person could only afford one guitar; would it be better to go with a flamenco guitar over the classical? The flamenco guitar seemed more versatile overall, while flamenco music on the classical guitar lacked some of the treble 'bite'.
thank you, could you recommend any good flamenco guitar on amazon or ebay, price range up to 500 euro, i want to learn guitar but i like to buy something good so will keep it in future, the sound of flamenco is way nicer and lively, the classic is dimmer and it look unrealistic when u compare it to flamenco.
What a fantastic video! Now I know. You provided a lot of very useful information about the differences and sounds; frankly, I was shocked at the volume and punchiness of the flamenco guitar. I guess I know now that I really need to own both! I have had so many questions of the differences and you answered them perfectly! Thanks... you have a new subscriber too!
I just brought a guitar from Guitar Center and I asked the person for a flamenco Guitar and he didn’t have the Yamaha flamenco guitar in stock I was going to get, then he showed me more guitars and I thought I was playing a flamenco guitar it was nice then I purchased it and when I got it home it turned out to be a classical guitar. I then called the store and spoke to him and he said there is really no difference between a classical and flamenco guitar. I felt I was taken advantage of.
Very nice video. I’ve been sanding down bridges on all the classical guitars I use to get the action down as low as possible when all along I should have bought a flamenco guitar. I’m fighting instead of going with the flow. Thank you so much for the video! You have some good technique.
That was the clearest, most comprehensive discussion I've encountered on the subject! Thank you Dr. ANTF! I'll be checking out your other videos. By the way, is that an Oud that is playing at the beginning of the video? I've been learning about that instrument by watching UA-cam videos from Brandon Acker.
Great explanations. Congratulations. If one is not sure whether guitar to purchase, your excellent explanations could make him to decide in a cool way. Thanks.
Thanks, yes these are played on the Oud and not on the guitar, and they are Arabic. The Oud is used extensively in Arabic music especially in Egypt. I am from Lebanon, but also the Oud is used a lot in Lebanese Arabic music. In fact the music played is based on special Arabic structure similar to Flamenco. As you know in Flamenco there are Rumba, Bulerias, Solea... In Arabic there are Hijaz, Nahawand, Rasat, Bayati... We call these in Arabic "Maqam". To read and hear the Maqamat please check Wikipedia here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabic_maqam To read more about the Oud please check here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oud If you want more specific info about the music in this video please ask. Sorry for my late reply.
Dr.Antf when i play entre dos aguas on my classical guitar i dont have that feel in playing i believe that there is a deference in tune between me and the original music what i should do plz
I think the main difference is that the flamenco is designed mainly for rythmn playing whilst the classical is designed for the single note, more melodic with warmth.
+KelloggsCornflake Thank you very much. At 11:28 I was playing chords that are used in Bulerias and I was hitting them Flamenco style, so it was not a song, just chords. Are you sure you meant 11:28? Yes you are right, Flamenco guitars have great sound. In the near future I plan to do a tutorial to show the differences between professional Flamenco guitars (so Flamenco vs Flamenco). I hope when I do it you watch it and like it as well.
It should have been clearly stated in the video, that the two guitars have very different price points. Also, it should have been emphazised that cutaway on a classical guitar is by no means standard. Cutaway classicals have a narrower body as they are designed for stage-use - where avoiding feedback is the main purpose of the guitar. Other than that, it is a good and informative video. Thanks.
VERY usefull tutorial ! I will try a flamenca again ( i had one years ago and didn t even know it was a very good and old one, but it s the only guitar i had that i really LOVED. By the way , you make your guitar sound like a luth or an Oud !
1. Weight 0:57
2. Wood type 1:45
3. Guitar Sound, Tone, and Volume 3:01
4. Guitar thickness 5:03
5. String Height 5:35
6. Tapping Board 7:26
7. Flamenco Buzz 8:30
Guitar Tests 10:46
thank you
Thanks
You're the real MVP.
Tnx
Thank u
This was the clearest information I could find on UA-cam. Thank you.
This is very kind of you, thank you.
Except that some is misinformation. Number 2 is incorrect. Every Torres classical guitar had a spruce top and although he favoured Rio rosewood for his top models, many modern Torres replicas use Madagascar and Indian rosewood for backs and sides. Cedar has a different tone which is preferred by some classical players but it certainly does not define a classical guitar. it is more to do with thickness, bracing and action than materials.
not only youtube, should be the clearest in the whole internet im sure.
the quick cuts in the editing at the end are exactly what I wanted to hear.
All these decades, I thought nylon guitars were just the same, and only, different manufacturers made a different sound from each other...
Your video is very informative, thanks for sharing
Most welcome.
Hello Dr. ANTF. Thank you for your video. As a professional guitarist with both classical and flamenco background, I have to make a few corrections to the video.
First, flamenco guitars in general are not louder than classical guitars. Flamenco guitars nowadays are made with amplification in mind, and while they can be quite loud, the emphasis is on the pulsation and consistency of sound across the range rather than volume. Classical guitars are made to project in large concert spaces and often are built for maximum volume, sustain and tone color. The best examples are very even across the range, but some lesser guitars sacrifice the consistency of sound across the range for more oomph in the bass, midrange or treble. The loudest classical guitars (with high action and high tension strings) will outmuscle flamenco guitars when it comes to sheer volume. Flamenco guitars create an illusion of being louder because of the fast attack (pulsation) and low action with the buzz that comes into play when you play rasgueados or hard apoyando. It also has to do with the aggressive nature of flamenco performance.
Second, the weight of a guitar varies from luthier to luthier and is heavily based on design. Classical guitars do not necessarily have thicker wood, at least when it comes to the tops. There are some guitars that have the tops so thin that one accidental golpe will make a hole in them. Check out double top guitars.
When you measure the action on a guitar, it is a common practice to measure the distance from the surface of the 12th fret to the string, and not from the wood to the string. This is done to bypass the width of the fret wire itself which varies from one instrument to another. Notice how different the frets look on your two guitars, making measurement from the wood to the string irrelevant.
Glad to hear (to my ear) that the flamenco guitar comes out on top. I bought mine in Granada in 1982 and now I love it even more, if possible.
I never knew the difference between the two before this video. Thank you for this. Now that I'm a little more educated, I prefer the sound of the Famenco but I see or rather hear the purpose for both styles of guitaring and guitars.
wow. the demo at the end made a huge difference. easy to hear when done that way. good job
Wow. You made a really good video. That end part was amazing where you went back and forth from one guitar to the other.
I have been studying the classical guitar since a 5-6 yrs now...I always wondered what the difference was....Your video was extremely informative and very clear in getting it across. Many Thanks !
This is a great video! One of the better explanations of the difference between classical and flamenco guitars.
No one can explain that difference better than you! Thanks!
THANK YOU SO MUCH! I was on the fence on whether I wanted to get a flamenco or classical guitar. I want to play flamenco and folk music. This gives me an idea of what I want to buy first.
Thank you Dr. ANTF. This is a fantastic video. I've recently fallen in love with nylon strings. You've convinced me I should buy both as flemenco and a classical guitar.
Thanks, this was enlightening. The variety of guitars is so enormous, and for a beginner it is quite confusing. This video clarified many things that I have been wondering about lately. Great video!
Very clear and straight to the point tutorial, thank you 👏
Thank you very much !!!
I use my old classic guitar for playing flamenco lessons.
Age of the guitar is about 35 years.
What's the name of music at 1:13 please I need to know!?
The real difference between the classical and flamenco guitar is that the classical guitar puts you to sleep and the flamenco guitar wakes you up :-)
no
Each type has his followers, and I think each music has its time. I have to admit that Flamenco gives some action or life to the guitar :)
WAASPM: You are correct, he does a very fine job on Leyenda. In fact, thank you. It has been about 40 years since learned it and I think that I will re-learn it again. Always liked Albenez! He was like Manuel De Falla, and Rodrigo, a Flamenco at heart!
HAHHAHAHA, CORRECT!!
Exactly what i always say. Thank you
When he says “string height” does he mean the action?
Yes
Yes sir
Thank you Señor
Great info, I always thought a classical would be louder because of its larger body but I obviously didn’t take many other elements into consideration.
Well, I think flamenco guitars have more presence, not more volume: they sound brighter, with more volume on high frequencies. But classical guitars have more bass, so they sound fuller, specially when played alone
Thank You Dr. This is a great video production, and comparison. I did not know the differences.
Thank you very much, I am very happy you liked it.
Since I bought my first guitar I've been following you, you've always been useful, thanks.
Great tutorial to clarify between two different types of similar guitar.
Thanks a lot for this video. I was checking flamenco and classic guitars in a store this week but I wanted to know more about the differences first. You help and guide me definitely towards Flamenco guitar :)
Amazingly crafted video, especially the last part where the two are compared. It is as if I was in darkness all this while! Thank you Sir, for the work!
+Sanchari Nandi (sanN) Thank you very much for your nice words, I am very happy that you liked the video and benefited from it. All the best.
+Dr. ANTF Your welcome Sir
Sanchari Nandi
:)
Congratulations. This is a good video for clarifying any doubt about wheter to buy a classical one or a flamenco one. Thanks
Can someone please tell me what piece of music is playing here 1:13
Thanks so much Dr. Antf for your thorough explanation that was very clear answering every quest guitar enthusiasts are eager to learn. You answered all questions with all proven facts. You have my respects.
Thank you for the clear explaination!
He is the doctor i want to see when im sick !
This is the best video that explain the differences. Great job
can a classical guitar’s action be lowered to be like flamencos action? what effects will this have besides a little more buzz?
Excellent video. I would add an important difference between both and that´s the bracing inside!. Thank you for putting this together!
Thanks for the informative video. To me, it really seems like the characteristics of the flamenco guitar facilitate the expression of the "soul" of the music.
Thanks Dr Antf !! I'm getting all the information I can before deciding on my first Nylon String Classical or Flamenco Guitar. The explanation on string height is a bonus - if I opted for a classical I'll try lowering the strings. Tried several at the local Guitar Store and before I buy one, i"d like to try a Kremona CW-7, 7 String A/E Classical because I like the added choices with that lower B string.
Fantastic breakdown and explanation
The one major difference is the braces inside, which wasn't mentioned. Instead of the large brace under the bridge the flamenco guitar has 4 thin long ones going lengthwise in a parallel or fan position. That's what gives it a percussive sound. Also 8:50 those "metal parts" are called fretts 😀.
there are classical guitars with similar fan like bracing though.
So classical guitar have more deep and low frequency sound, while flamenco guitar is more bright and high, right?
This was a great tutorial. Give thanks. I received crucial information
I highly appreciate your thorough analysis. Thank you!
Quite informative session.
Please Keep it up sharing more minute details of guitars.
Outstanding video Doctor.
Many many thanks dr antf for showing the difference. Now i am more clear which guitar i want.👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
The best explanation of Flamenco Vs Classical doctor!!!
Excellent comparison video!!! Thank you, Dr. ANTF. AAA+ explanation!!!
I just bought an old Harmony classical guitar from a second hand store. The poor thing had steel strings on it and the inner label says "use only nylon gut strings". I felt so bad so I bought it and rushed it home to take off the strings and start repairs. I am already attached to it even though I haven't played it yet since I am still waiting on the parts I ordered to come in. I ordered some really nice gold plated classical guitar tuners with ebony knobs. It has a beautiful resonant sound whenever I talk into the sound hole, so I can only imagine how nice it could potentially sound once everything is assembled and strings are placed on it. I have a few more days for the parts to come in and I'm excited to finally have a classical guitar again after about a decade of not owning one. On the subject of Flamenco: I never played a Flamenco guitar or never knew the difference until recently. I always thought Flamenco was just a style of playing. After watching this, I am going to maybe find one to try. My cousin lives in Texas and near the Mexican border, so maybe he could help me find one. I would like one just for the louder volume aspect, since classical guitars usually are too quiet when used other players with standard acoustics. I really like your work. Good job on the video.
A cogent analysis of the differences between the classical guitar and the flamenco guitar. The last section of the video was
wonderful! Playing the same music on each guitar really demonstrated the strengths (and the weaknesses) of each instrument.
If a person could only afford one guitar; would it be better to go with a flamenco guitar over the classical? The flamenco guitar seemed more versatile overall, while flamenco music on the classical guitar lacked some of the treble 'bite'.
how to fix string slapped? It made a little dent. Need advice
Excellent video. And some great guitar playing Dr ! Thank you so much
thank you, could you recommend any good flamenco guitar on amazon or ebay, price range up to 500 euro, i want to learn guitar but i like to buy something good so will keep it in future, the sound of flamenco is way nicer and lively, the classic is dimmer and it look unrealistic when u compare it to flamenco.
استاد عندي سؤال محيرني لي هوا رموز لي مكتوبة على الغيتار من الداخل مثلcm40او 7fcشو معناتها وشكرا لك جزيلا❤👏
Most helpful video I've seen thus far, thank you.
What a fantastic video! Now I know. You provided a lot of very useful information about the differences and sounds; frankly, I was shocked at the volume and punchiness of the flamenco guitar. I guess I know now that I really need to own both! I have had so many questions of the differences and you answered them perfectly! Thanks... you have a new subscriber too!
What is the music 05:06????? Please
I just brought a guitar from Guitar Center and I asked the person for a flamenco Guitar and he didn’t have the Yamaha flamenco guitar in stock I was going to get, then he showed me more guitars and I thought I was playing a flamenco guitar it was nice then I purchased it and when I got it home it turned out to be a classical guitar. I then called the store and spoke to him and he said there is really no difference between a classical and flamenco guitar. I felt I was taken advantage of.
Wonderful! Enjoyed the video and learning.
Very nice video. I’ve been sanding down bridges on all the classical guitars I use to get the action down as low as possible when all along I should have bought a flamenco guitar. I’m fighting instead of going with the flow. Thank you so much for the video! You have some good technique.
Really great video. Clear and easy to understand. Great compare and contrast between these two types of instruments.
Thank Dr ANTF, very clear and informative
It's very very valuable information. Thanks.
The wording on point #2 is a little misleading, there are tons of classical guitars that use spruce as the soundboard whereas others use cedar.
This is so clear and helpful. Thank you!!!
Sir plzz suggest me a good classical guitar with preamp in a budget....
fantastic, one of the best instructional 'difference' videos on youtube, thank you!!!
This is very helpfull and hands down the best comparison I saw. Thanks.
Great now I know where to start , many thanks.
That was the clearest, most comprehensive discussion I've encountered on the subject! Thank you Dr. ANTF! I'll be checking out your other videos. By the way, is that an Oud that is playing at the beginning of the video? I've been learning about that instrument by watching UA-cam videos from Brandon Acker.
Great explanations. Congratulations. If one is not sure whether guitar to purchase, your excellent explanations could make him to decide in a cool way. Thanks.
Excelente vídeo comparativo. Esclarecedor! Muito obrigado!
Really informative and practical. I just decided which guitar to buy next. Gracias
Absolutely fantastic video.
i like the music at the beginning, ( and at 7:15) kind of middle eastern ? can you tell me what it is please, thanks....
Thanks, yes these are played on the Oud and not on the guitar, and they are Arabic. The Oud is used extensively in Arabic music especially in Egypt. I am from Lebanon, but also the Oud is used a lot in Lebanese Arabic music. In fact the music played is based on special Arabic structure similar to Flamenco. As you know in Flamenco there are Rumba, Bulerias, Solea... In Arabic there are Hijaz, Nahawand, Rasat, Bayati... We call these in Arabic "Maqam". To read and hear the Maqamat please check Wikipedia here:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabic_maqam
To read more about the Oud please check here:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oud
If you want more specific info about the music in this video please ask. Sorry for my late reply.
SUPER FABULOUS LECTURE. I NOW DIG THE DIFFERENCE . DAWN IN DUBLIN.
Dr.Antf when i play entre dos aguas on my classical guitar i dont have that feel in playing i believe that there is a deference in tune between me and the original music what i should do plz
Difference in weight with cutaway and non cut away?
Really interesting and just the sort of answers I was after, thanks!
I think the main difference is that the flamenco is designed mainly for rythmn playing whilst the classical is designed for the single note, more melodic with warmth.
Flamenca are also built for speed , low action .
you measuremebt is awful
No idea what u mean but no matter@quarlmephystodot2201
Complimenti per la spiegazione chiara e completa.
I'm just wondering whether I could buy a crossover guitar for playing flamenco music. Well organized video, thx.
Very informative video! I would really like to know the name of the song that starts at 11:28. I loved the sound of the flamenco guitar!
+KelloggsCornflake Thank you very much. At 11:28 I was playing chords that are used in Bulerias and I was hitting them Flamenco style, so it was not a song, just chords. Are you sure you meant 11:28? Yes you are right, Flamenco guitars have great sound. In the near future I plan to do a tutorial to show the differences between professional Flamenco guitars (so Flamenco vs Flamenco). I hope when I do it you watch it and like it as well.
Classic sounds richer in the lower tones, nice video!
Sure, at the end each guitar is good for a style. Thank you.
Very good comparison technique. Thanks.
Excellent tutorial
+jose cruz Thank you, I will always try to keep the level high :)
thank you very much Dr Antf...
can you make a tutorial for strumming that u use in the end
It should have been clearly stated in the video, that the two guitars have very different price points. Also, it should have been emphazised that cutaway on a classical guitar is by no means standard. Cutaway classicals have a narrower body as they are designed for stage-use - where avoiding feedback is the main purpose of the guitar. Other than that, it is a good and informative video. Thanks.
Thnk u sir ... I started a new journey with flamenco
great video as always
im getting my first flamenco guitar but not sure if i should get a blanca or negra
Are there classical guitar tutorial videos in English, please?
Which guitar is more suitable for pop songs?flamenco or classical?
VERY usefull tutorial ! I will try a flamenca again ( i had one years ago and didn t even know it was a very good and old one, but it s the only guitar i had that i really LOVED. By the way , you make your guitar sound like a luth or an Oud !
Dr. ANTF On what fret number you measure the strings height of the 2 guitar? Is it on the 12th fret?
Thanks for this video. I hesitated between the two, not anymore :)
Great video, Doctor!
Great video, well done
How much did your flamenco guitar cost?
Very good and clear, thanks for the nice work,
Which guitar amin toofani used... A classical or flamenco!?