There are many accessories that all classical guitarists should have at their disposal! If you’re new to the classical guitar and you’re not sure exactly what you need to get started and play properly, this guide will show you the best accessories for classical guitar so you can take out all of the guesswork and focus on playing!
Table of Contents
Footstool
A classical guitarist needs a footstool to support their leg and get them in a position that’s ideal for playing the instrument correctly.
The footstool and classical guitar combo are almost like peanut butter and jelly – inseparable and iconic.
Footstools designed specifically for classical guitar are pretty cheap, and you can learn more about their importance here if you’d like to understand their purpose more in-depth.
- Non-slip rubber surface & metal frame make it sturdy and durable
- Foot rest size: width 4″; length 10″
- 6 position height adjustable from 4.5″ to 9.5″
- Protective, non-slip rubber end caps prevents slipping and protects floors
- Folds flat for easy storage and transport
Chair
A comfy chair is important for any classical guitarist since you’ll spend a lot of time sitting in one.
Along with your trusty footstool, a reliable chair will encourage good posture, which is crucial for reinforcing the correct technical habits on the guitar and for general ergonomics and safety. When you’re feeling good, you’ll also be able to practice for longer too.
You can technically use any chair with back support that will allow you to keep one foot on the ground and the other on your footstool, but I wouldn’t cheap out on one of these!
- The “ADJUSTRITE” Musician’s Chair just may be the greatest musicians chair ever!
- The padded back gives you enough support to help you sit correctly, making it very comfortable for those long gigs or practice sessions.
- You can easily adjust the height of the chair, so it will fit both children and adults equally well. Buttons on the legs adjust the leg height in 1″ increments, so you can adjust the chair to suit yourself comfortably, whether you prefer a flat seat or a slight downward slope.
- Folds up neatly and easily for convenient transport and storage
- This well-designed, comfortable, sturdy, easy-to-use, adjustable folding chair will be a great addition to your music room or studio
Tuner
A classical guitarist needs a tuner to keep their instrument in tune. There are many different types of tuners available, including electronic tuners and clip-on tuners.
Of course, as you become more experienced, you can learn how to tune by ear, but having a guitar tuner is always convenient, not to mention it’s also perfectly accurate.
- Compact, dual-hinged clip-on tuner
- Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Violin and Chromatic tuning modes
- Color LCD screen with easy-to-read tuning needle
- Tuning Range B0 – B7; A440 calibration
- Includes CR2032 battery
Capo
As you learn the classical guitar, chances are you’re going to run into pieces of music that are written with the use of a capo in mind.
Capos are small devices that you place on your fretboard that essentially serve as a new nut and will shift the key of the song you’re in without having to change your chord fingerings and such.
I’ve written about some of the different kinds of capos you can get; even the best ones are quite affordable!
- Distinctive capo design that has been loved and trusted by musicians for over 35 years
- Unique among adjustable capos, with Shubb you can “set it and forget it”- no need to reset the pressure with each use
- Locking and removing is as simple as flipping the lever
- Custom-made rubber works just like a fingertip and effortlessly keeps your guitar in tune
Guitar Case
A case is vital for protecting your classical guitar at home and while traveling. A hard case will offer the best protection, but soft cases have their advantages, too! You can learn more about classical guitar cases and find a bunch of excellent recommendations here.
In addition to using the case to protect the instrument from damage, you can place a humidifier inside, which can help prevent changes in the wood and keep your guitar healthy.
- Designed to fit most Nylon String Classical Guitars
- Interior Dimensions: Body Length: 22. 9” Body Height: 4. 6” Lower Bout Width: 15” Middle Bout Width: 10. 4” Upper Bout Width: 11. 6” Overall Length: 40. 4”
- Ultra‐durable arch‐topped plywood construction with Black Tolex PVC covering stands up to years of use and abuse
- Ergonomic handle offers a comfortable grip, perfectly balancing the weight of your instrument
- Spacious interior accessory compartment organizes all your favorite guitar accessories, while providing additional neck support
Guitar Stand
Like cases, a stand is useful for storing your classical guitar when you’re not playing it. It’s also helpful to have a stand when practicing, so you can easily access your guitar when you put it down.
For example, if you take a break from practicing, having a guitar stand nearby is more convenient than putting it in its case. It’s also safer than laying it down on your bed or couch!
- A-frame universal guitar stand for acoustic and electric guitars
- 3 adjustable-width settings to accommodate most guitar shapes
- Lightweight, durable, metal construction; no assembly needed
- Soft foam arms and back rest to protect your guitar
- Folds flat for convenient transport and storage; non-slip rubber feet
Metronome
This is a crucial tool for any musician, and it will be your best friend when you practice your guitar.
As you work on technique and learn new pieces of music, you will use one of these devices to help you improve your rhythm and timing and get you up to tempo.
A metronome provides a consistent tempo for you to play along with, and if you want to learn more about them and some of my recommendations, check on my guide on metronomes here.
- Modern yet Classic Design: A digital metronome (tempo 40-208bpm) in traditional upright style built with easily readable LCD color display; one touch operation makes practice is much easier too;
- Immersive and Interesting Practice: The timer can be set at 15 min, 30 min, 45 min and 60 min depending on your habits or different learning phases; One click to switch between voice and electronic sound (Note: when placed in “Voice” mode，the vocal counting is in English (UPDATED)).
A Pack of Spare Strings
Classical guitar strings don’t really have a reputation for snapping, and they do tend to last quite a while compared to ones you’d use on a steel-string acoustic, but it’s a good idea to have a pack of nylon strings ready for you when you feel you need to replace them.
Changing classical guitar strings isn’t exactly intuitive for beginners, but you’ll need to learn how to at some point.
Here’s a quick, clear, and concise video showing you exactly how to do it:
String Winder
Twisting the tuning pegs on your guitar can be a bit tiresome and time-consuming, especially when removing old strings and putting on some new ones.
Luckily, string winders are cheap and handy tools that can make your life easier during this process. Be sure to pick one up!
You can often find them that have a clipper attached to them so you can trim the excess pieces of string after you’re done restringing and tuning your guitar.
- ALL-IN-ONE GUITAR STRING WINDER TOOL – The ergonomic and high-quality design of the D’Addario Accessories Pro-Winder makes string changes quicker and easier than ever before with its built-in clippers, bridge pin puller and peg winder all rolled into one tool.
- MUST HAVE FOR EVERY GUITAR CASE – Why fill up your case with three tools when you can have one that does it all? This indispensable tool has been designed to fit comfortably in your hand and for use on virtually all electric and acoustic guitars, basses, banjos and mandolins. Also available in a bass guitar version.
Cleaning Kit
If you want your classical guitar to keep looking as beautiful as it sounds, you’ll probably want to do some regular cleaning and maintenance on it, aside from occasionally changing your strings.
Essentially, you’ll want something that contains guitar polish and fretboard oil to help clean your instrument to keep it looking and sounding great.
Do not use products around your home to clean your guitar – if you want additional advice on how to care for an acoustic guitar, I have also written a thorough guide on what you need and how to do it properly.
- Our 5 piece cleaning kit gives your acoustic, electric or bass guitar a total spa treatment from the body and neck to the fretboard and hardware. Whether using for general everyday maintenance or a deep restoration, MusicNomad’s 5-piece kit covers all your needs.
Music Stand
Of course, you’ll also want something to hold your sheet music and books while you play your guitar!
A music stand will keep your pages open and the music in front of your eyes, which is important for practicing sight-reading.
You don’t want the music to be off to the side or cause you to look downwards because it will physically affect your posture and how you play the guitar.
- Adjustable – Collapsible design with height adjustment from 30.3 inches – 55.2 inches,180 degrees adjustable angle bookplate can be adjusted to suit your environment, it has plenty of width for page-turning. Easy-to-use knobs allow for adjusting the tilt as needed for a comfortable viewing angle.
- Metal Tripod Stand – There is no need to worry about the loading capacity of this conduct music stand with the sturdy metal tripod support legs, which have high-quality non-slip rubber caps at the bottom that secure at any height. Remains upright and excellent stability. This stand perfect for sitting or standing, and the vented tray, tall, wide, and deep enough to hold any kind of music sheet or books.
Nail File & Buffer
Lastly, one of the most unique aspects of classical guitar playing is the use of nails to help shape the tone.
While I wouldn’t say that this is truly important for beginners, intermediate and advanced players will eventually want to consider how they maintain and shape their nails to produce the most pleasant sound out of their playing. A simple but reliable nail file and buffer should do the trick.
Check out this video to see how classical guitarists file their nails:
Conclusion
These are just some of the classical guitar accessories that I think are essential for every classical guitarist.
Of course, there may be some things that will be more relevant sometime in the future, such as nail care, but most of this list covers the essentials that should give a beginner everything they can use right now and for years to come.
To summarize what you’ll need for the time being, as a classical guitarist, you’ll want to have a:
- Footstool
- Chair
- Tuner
- Capo
- Case
- Guitar Stand
- Metronome
- Pack of Strings
- String Winder
- Cleaning Kit For Guitars
- Music Stand
- Nail File
Throughout this article, on their headings, I’ve linked some stuff that I recommend for each kind of accessory. You can purchase the vast majority of these accessories for 20 dollars or less per item, which is a great value considering the amount of time you can get out of them.
Overall, while it can seem like a lot when you add them all up, remember that you’ll get a ton of mileage out of these accessories; some will even last forever, so you’ll definitely get your money’s worth and significantly more enjoyment out of learning how to play the classical guitar.
If you’re a beginner, it also helps to have a classical guitar method book that can show you the ropes and help you start learning. Even if you have a guitar teacher, having a book or two will give you a lot of etudes and full pieces of music that are appropriate for your skill level. Your teacher can even work with you using these books as well! Here are some of the best classical guitar books that I recommend to new students of the instrument.