What is the difference between classical and acoustic guitar?

For most people, an "acoustic guitar" is generally considered better if you want a versatile instrument that can play a wide variety of genres, while a "classical guitar" is better if you specifically want to play classical music or prefer a softer, mellower sound thanks to its nylon strings, which are easier on the fingers for beginners; essentially, the best choice depends on the type of music you want to play. 

Think of classical and acoustic guitars as two different musical tools, mainly because of their strings and how we play them.

First, the strings are a big deal. Classical guitars use soft nylon strings, which feel gentle on your fingers. This is why you usually play them with your fingers – no pick needed! They make a softer, warmer sound.

Acoustic guitars use steel strings, which are much tougher. These give you a brighter, louder sound that carries further. You can use your fingers, but often people use a pick to strum or pick out notes.

Second, how you play them is different. Classical guitars are perfect for delicate music like classical pieces or flamenco. You're often picking individual notes.

Acoustic guitars are great for strumming chords in songs like folk, country, or pop. You can also pick notes, but they're built to handle strumming more easily.

So, the strings and playing style are the main things. They change the way the guitar feels to play and the kind of sound it makes. Classical guitars give you a soft, warm sound, while acoustic guitars give you a brighter, louder one. This difference in sound is really important because it affects how the music feels when you listen to it!