Choosing your first Portuguese guitar is a bit like choosing a voice that you will converse with for years to come. Let’s analyze the selection criteria and the importance of love at first sight.
What kind of music appeals to you?
Before looking at the technical details, ask yourself what style appeals to you most.
- If you dream of Lisbon fado, with its bright, incisive, and very melodious sound, you will probably gravitate toward a Lisbon model, which is often tuned higher and very present in the mix.
- If you like more intimate atmospheres, serenades, or a more “academic” style of playing, the Coimbra guitar—with its slightly deeper and more melancholic sound—may be a better fit for your world.
Your future playing style also matters: accompanying singers, instrumental solos, experimenting with jazz, etc. This choice will influence the type of guitar, the tuning, and even the string gauge that will be most suitable.
Technical points to watch out for
Even for a first guitar, there are a few technical aspects that are important to avoid unpleasant surprises.
- Playing comfort: the height of the strings (action) should be reasonable so that your hands don’t tire too quickly. A guitar that is too hard to play can be discouraging, especially at the beginning.
- Tuning: check that the instrument is in tune across the entire fretboard. A poorly tuned guitar can make you doubt your ear, when in fact the problem lies with the instrument.
- Build quality: look at the joints, the inside of the body, and the strength of the tuning pegs. A Portuguese guitar is a high-tension instrument, so stability is crucial.
- Projection and sustain: even if you are a beginner, listen to how the guitar resonates, whether the notes “live” a little in time or whether the sound dies away too quickly.
If possible, bring along a teacher or friend who is already familiar with the instrument: a second opinion can help you spot flaws that you may not yet see.
The importance of love at first sight
Beyond the specifications, the guitar must speak to you. The shape of the body, the carved headstock, the rosette, the color of the wood: all of these elements contribute to your desire to pick it up and play. It is important that you find it beautiful, because it is this beauty that will make you want to open the case every day.
Take your time: sit down, play a few notes, feel the vibration against your body, listen to see if the tone moves you. There is a large emotional component to choosing a Portuguese guitar, and that’s a good thing. A good instrument for beginners is one that makes you want to learn, improve, and that you can’t wait to pick up every time you play.