Is it worth learning to play guitar on steel or nylon strings?

Question

Is it worth learning to play guitar on steel or nylon strings?

Answer 1

I play both but I find, as I get older and my tastes in music get more refined, that I prefer the sound and tonal variations that I can get out of a nylon string classical guitar to the harsh, limited in tonal colorations sound of a steel string acoustic.  I do NOT and NEVER HAVE played an electric guitar.

Answer 2

Steel. Nylon sucks. Nylon feels weird, and it doesnt sound nearly as good as steel.

Answer 3

Your question is funny - it almost sounds as if you had another option in mind - cat gut maybe?

Either guitar is as appropriate as the other for learning to play.  Steel will be harder on your fingers.  Nylon is softer and the strings are much more flexible, but it provides a much warmer tone.  You usually use a plectrum with steel and only use your fingers/thumb with nylon.  You can move from either guitar to an electric.  Ultimately you should choose based on the style and sound that most interests you.

As far as nylon being weaker or whatever, Andres Segovia played unmic'd to audiences of 2000 or more.

Check out Felder and Walsh on those lousy nylon strings...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBJTNx5qr...

Answer 4

Agree with JOHNNY....nylon sucks. Steel steals the show!

Answer 5

It depends on what music you want to play.

They're practically two completely different instruments. (Like clarinet and sax).

'Classical' demands the flexibility of nylon.

You just can't have that wide a control of your

sound with steel.

'Contemporary' demands the harsher and louder

sounds you can get with steel.

If you're going to play 'electric`,

you'll need to go with steel.