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.
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.
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
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 !
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
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!
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!
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 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 :)
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Good informative video, but the the first measurement is not right , the first guitar is not clasical, its electric class. the preamp on that guitar is about 300gr, so their weights are almost same. Main differences between classical and flamenco guitars are prevalent in materials, construction and sound. Classical guitars are generally made with spruce or cedar tops and rosewood or mahogany backs and sides to enhance sustain. Flamenco guitars are generally made with spruce tops and cypress or sycamore for the backs and sides to enhance volume. The body of classical guitars is generally deeper and the woods are slightly thicker. Flamenco guitars have a flat or negative neck relief, making the action very fast at the cost of some buzzing. The strings are also closer to the body on flamenco guitars to facilitate tapping. Flamenco guitars often bear a golpeador, which is a sheet of plastic mounted to the face of the guitar to protect its finish. The classical guitar is designed to give the soloist the tools to perform poly-timbral music. The attack is soft with a longer and gradual decay. The flamenco guitar is designed to cut through the sound of dancers stomping their feet. The sound is a bit more percussive, a loud sonic burst followed by a swift decay.
A few problems with your analysis... First, one reason why your classical guitar was that much heavier than your flamenco was that you chose a classical model with built-in electronics. This also includes a battery and makes the instrument noticeably heavier. Second, you failed to mention that classical guitar can also have spruce tops. I have a wonderful Romanian Kremona classical with a German spruce top which makes it just as loud as any flamenco guitar. Third, string height is highly subjective and often, if not always, adjusted by the player. My Spanish Alhambra classical has been customized to an almost identical height to your flamenco. The height of the frets also have an affect on the "buzz" you mentioned. You also forgot to mention the difference in string tension normally used by flamenco vs classical players. Finally, there was a huge quality difference between your high end flamenco guitar and an average Yamaha cutaway classical. The lower end guitars are made heavier and with less projection to accommodate the needs of a beginner. You're obviously a flamenco player and don't get me wrong, I love flamenco guitar, but you really should have had an exclusively classical player to demonstrate with you. The techniques used have as much to do with the difference in instruments as any other factor.
Walked into a music store today and almost bought a beautiful Cordoba guitar. However, I held off because I wanted to educate myself first on my options. I will get one for sure. Thank you for your clear and concise presentation. 👍
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 !
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 😀.
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'.
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.
+Mustaffa Haithem I am very happy to hear that, thanks for sharing your thoughts. By the way, if you care for other languages I have the same videos in Arabic language as well on my RUclips channel.
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 RUclips. 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.
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.
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.
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
No one can explain that difference better than you! Thanks!
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 very much !!!
I use my old classic guitar for playing flamenco lessons.
Age of the guitar is about 35 years.
This is a great video! One of the better explanations of the difference between classical and flamenco guitars.
Wow. You made a really good video. That end part was amazing where you went back and forth from one guitar to the other.
Very clear and straight to the point tutorial, thank you 👏
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
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
He is the doctor i want to see when im sick !
Great tutorial to clarify between two different types of similar guitar.
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.
Congratulations. This is a good video for clarifying any doubt about wheter to buy a classical one or a flamenco one. Thanks
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.
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!
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.
Many many thanks dr antf for showing the difference. Now i am more clear which guitar i want.👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Excellent video. I would add an important difference between both and that´s the bracing inside!. Thank you for putting this together!
Since I bought my first guitar I've been following you, you've always been useful, thanks.
The best explanation of Flamenco Vs Classical doctor!!!
This is the best video that explain the differences. Great job
Thnk u sir ... I started a new journey with flamenco
Thank you for the clear explaination!
Excelente vídeo comparativo. Esclarecedor! Muito obrigado!
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 :)
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.
This was a great tutorial. Give thanks. I received crucial information
Fantastic breakdown and explanation
SUPER FABULOUS LECTURE. I NOW DIG THE DIFFERENCE . DAWN IN DUBLIN.
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
:)
fantastic, one of the best instructional 'difference' videos on youtube, thank you!!!
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.
It's very very valuable information. Thanks.
I highly appreciate your thorough analysis. Thank you!
Excellent comparison video!!! Thank you, Dr. ANTF. AAA+ explanation!!!
Thak you ❤️ this is very very important lesson.
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 .
Really great video. Clear and easy to understand. Great compare and contrast between these two types of instruments.
Outstanding video Doctor.
Excellent tutorial
+jose cruz Thank you, I will always try to keep the level high :)
Classic sounds richer in the lower tones, nice video!
Sure, at the end each guitar is good for a style. Thank you.
Great now I know where to start , many thanks.
Thank you Señor
Who care, both guitar will make ladies cry.
Thanks for the awesome review sir!
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.
Very good tutorial
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.
Most helpful video I've seen thus far, thank you.
thank you much - excellent comparative presentation. ;)
Thank you very much
This is very helpfull and hands down the best comparison I saw. Thanks.
Thank Dr ANTF, very clear and informative
Excellent video. And some great guitar playing Dr ! Thank you so much
Really informative and practical. I just decided which guitar to buy next. Gracias
Thanks for this video. I hesitated between the two, not anymore :)
Complimenti per la spiegazione chiara e completa.
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!
Quite informative session.
Please Keep it up sharing more minute details of guitars.
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.
Good informative video, but the the first measurement is not right , the first guitar is not clasical, its electric class. the preamp on that guitar is about 300gr, so their weights are almost same.
Main differences between classical and flamenco guitars are prevalent in materials, construction and sound.
Classical guitars are generally made with spruce or cedar tops and rosewood or mahogany backs and sides to enhance sustain. Flamenco guitars are generally made with spruce tops and cypress or sycamore for the backs and sides to enhance volume.
The body of classical guitars is generally deeper and the woods are slightly thicker. Flamenco guitars have a flat or negative neck relief, making the action very fast at the cost of some buzzing. The strings are also closer to the body on flamenco guitars to facilitate tapping. Flamenco guitars often bear a golpeador, which is a sheet of plastic mounted to the face of the guitar to protect its finish.
The classical guitar is designed to give the soloist the tools to perform poly-timbral music. The attack is soft with a longer and gradual decay. The flamenco guitar is designed to cut through the sound of dancers stomping their feet. The sound is a bit more percussive, a loud sonic burst followed by a swift decay.
Absolutely fantastic video.
A few problems with your analysis... First, one reason why your classical guitar was that much heavier than your flamenco was that you chose a classical model with built-in electronics. This also includes a battery and makes the instrument noticeably heavier. Second, you failed to mention that classical guitar can also have spruce tops. I have a wonderful Romanian Kremona classical with a German spruce top which makes it just as loud as any flamenco guitar. Third, string height is highly subjective and often, if not always, adjusted by the player. My Spanish Alhambra classical has been customized to an almost identical height to your flamenco. The height of the frets also have an affect on the "buzz" you mentioned. You also forgot to mention the difference in string tension normally used by flamenco vs classical players. Finally, there was a huge quality difference between your high end flamenco guitar and an average Yamaha cutaway classical. The lower end guitars are made heavier and with less projection to accommodate the needs of a beginner. You're obviously a flamenco player and don't get me wrong, I love flamenco guitar, but you really should have had an exclusively classical player to demonstrate with you. The techniques used have as much to do with the difference in instruments as any other factor.
When he says “string height” does he mean the action?
Yes
Yes sir
Really interesting and just the sort of answers I was after, thanks!
OUTATANDING instruction. Thank-you for posting.
Fantastic video, thank you very much. David.
Walked into a music store today and almost bought a beautiful Cordoba guitar. However, I held off because I wanted to educate myself first on my options. I will get one for sure.
Thank you for your clear and concise presentation. 👍
The difference between the sound of two types of guitar is like the difference between the white bread and bagel.
Very good comparison technique. Thanks.
awesome job
Thank you very much.
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 !
This is so clear and helpful. Thank you!!!
thank you very much Dr Antf...
thank you that was an awesome tutorial.
Wonderful! Enjoyed the video and learning.
Now I know which guita I'm gonna buy. Thank you so much, very good video and Information :)
Great video, well done
Just wanna say *Thank you sir* ♥️✨
Thanks for sharing these informations
Thanks for making the video.
You are welcome, thank you.
Great explaination Thanks
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.
Great video! Thank you.
Thanks for this video explanation
Very helpful clear video, thank you
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.
So classical guitar have more deep and low frequency sound, while flamenco guitar is more bright and high, right?
thank you so much a good exp' on flamenco/classical very edu. n interesting 🎼
Very good and clear, thanks for the nice work,
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'.
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 informative. Thank you.
+riffmaj7 Thanks a lot, appreciated.
Thank u so much . it helped me so much .
+Mustaffa Haithem I am very happy to hear that, thanks for sharing your thoughts. By the way, if you care for other languages I have the same videos in Arabic language as well on my RUclips channel.
very informative and helpful, thanks!