I composed 30 classical guitar solo pieces for beginners to intermediate players, all playable on a silent guitar.
Classical guitar is meant to be a free and approachable instrument.
However, in modern times, factors like volume, environment, and cost often make playing it more difficult.
Silent guitars address all these challenges without compromising the true charm of classical guitar.
In this article, I’ll explore the appeal of playing classical music on a silent guitar, based on demonstrations, personal experience, and practical evidence.
Why Silent Guitars Are Perfect for Classical Guitar Today
A silent guitar is not just a practice guitar you reluctantly choose.
At least, that’s been my experience as a player.
It has a design philosophy that fits remarkably well with the genre of classical guitar solo performance.
Focus on Music Without Worrying About Volume
One major challenge of classical guitar is managing volume.
Residential settings, family, time of day—playing while considering these factors unconsciously reduces your focus on the music itself.
Silent guitars minimize the acoustic sound while allowing you to output audio only when needed.
Being freed from the restriction of ‘I mustn’t make a sound’ is a huge relief for home and practice environments.
All the Essentials for Classical Guitar Solo Are Present
For a classical guitar solo, what’s truly needed is:
- Full range of notes
- Dynamic control
- Tone variation
- Clear articulation of single notes
If these are satisfied, expressive playing is fully possible.
Silent guitars meet all of these criteria.
When creating and performing solo pieces on a silent classical guitar, you realize it’s not that something is missing—it’s a different approach.
The Freedom of an All-in-One Instrument
Classical guitar was originally an instrument that could stand on its own.
Silent guitars restore this philosophy in a modern form.
You’re free from constraints of location, volume, and equipment.
This level of freedom is what I’ve come to see as the greatest value of a silent guitar.
The Greatest Appeal of Silent Guitars Is “Ease of Use”
The charm of a guitar isn’t its tone or brand.
It’s how often you can actually play it.
Guitar’s True Charm = Being Able to Play Anytime
No matter how good a guitar is, it’s meaningless if it isn’t played.
Most reasons for playing less are due to environment, not skill.
Silent guitars always create a state where you can play immediately.
Over time, this makes an enormous difference.
Music Starts the Moment You Open the Case
The ease of a silent guitar isn’t just that you can play it right away—it’s that you don’t have to think about whether you can play.
You can pick it up and start playing without worrying about volume or time of day.
Reducing this “mental friction” significantly increases how often you play.
“It’s not just about being ready to play—it’s about not having to hesitate before playing.
This isn’t just philosophy; it’s a matter of behavioral design.
Mobility Increases Playing Opportunities
Whether at home, the office, while traveling, or during a short break,
silent guitars can be played anywhere.
Playing more frequently naturally increases your progress and enjoyment of music.
From personal experience, I can state this confidently.
Any instrument will remain unused unless you physically increase the time you spend with it.
A Practical Classical Guitar Setup for Under ¥100,000
Another big advantage of silent guitars is their low cost to start.
Silent Guitars Themselves Are Affordable
High-end classical guitars or handmade instruments are often unrealistic for beginners or returning players.
Silent guitars are available at a price point that’s easy to manage.
This is not a compromise—it’s a design focused on sustainability.
Affordable Speakers Are Enough
You don’t need expensive amps to produce great sound.
In my experience, even a small portable speaker like the Tribit “XSound Go” can produce sound that’s more than sufficient for classical guitar.
Volume, range, clarity—these are all perfectly adequate for solo performance.
Classical guitars are generally quiet instruments among classical instruments, so large speakers aren’t necessary.
I’ve never felt a lack when practicing or performing at home.
In fact, modern features like long battery life, mobility, water resistance, durability, and versatility make this a perfect era for silent guitars.
Keeping the ease of use intact, silent guitars provide a practical and sustainable choice.
Complete Setup for Under ¥100,000
- Silent guitar
- Small speaker
- Rechargeable batteries
All together, this remains under ¥100,000.
This feels closer to the ideal way a guitar should be—a tool to express yourself anytime, anywhere.
Can Silent Guitars Really Serve as Classical Instruments?
To see for yourself, check out the demonstration videos on YouTube.
I, Freeman, have written 30 classical solo pieces specifically for beginners to intermediate players using a silent guitar.
I aimed to maximize mobility and ease of use, so all the pieces were written with a silent guitar in mind.
(Of course, they also work on traditional wooden classical guitars.)
This question is inevitable.
Have you found the answer yet?
Sufficient Range and Expressiveness for Classical Music
The sound of a silent guitar meets all the conditions needed for classical guitar solo performance.
The important point isn’t whether it’s acoustic—it’s whether it works musically.
Even more importantly, we should design the instrument so that players spend more time touching it.
Freedom from Relying on Acoustic Sound
The belief that “it must be acoustic to be classical” is not absolute.
Instruments have always evolved according to technique and environment.
Electric guitars can perform with orchestras, and such innovations have changed the music world.
What I Learned from Writing 30 Solo Pieces
I wrote 30 solo pieces for the silent classical guitar.
At no point did I feel that the sound was lacking.
Challenges of Silent Guitars and Solutions
Of course, no instrument is perfect.
That’s why it’s important to honestly present the challenges.
Battery Issues Are Solved with Rechargeables
Using rechargeable batteries solves the problem completely.
There’s no better practical use of the many rechargeable batteries available today than in this context (laughs).
One battery isn’t enough; two are sufficient.
Low-Cost Speakers Are Enough
Expensive gear isn’t necessary.
For creating an environment to focus on music, even inexpensive speakers are more than enough.
Modern portable speakers are excellent, but be aware of audio delay.
Even small delays make performance impossible.
Does It Affect Traditional Technique?
Choosing a model with the same neck width (like SLG200NW) allows for smooth transition to traditional classical guitars.
H3: Sound Concerns Are Resolved Through Demonstrations
Watching my YouTube demonstration videos naturally dispels any doubts.
Demonstrating the Potential of Silent Guitars
I prove it through demonstration, not theory.
The Reality of Classical Guitar Solo on a Silent Guitar
I’ve published demonstration videos on YouTube.
The sound is recorded directly from the speaker with a microphone, without any processing or exaggeration.
The Value of an Instrument Comes from How Much It Is Played
A guitar that is continuously played is a good guitar.
To achieve this, ease of use is essential.
In today’s entertainment-filled world, opportunities to pick up a guitar have naturally decreased.
Silent Guitars Are the Optimal Solution for Lowering the Barrier to Guitar Playing
Guitars were never meant to be instruments with high barriers to entry.
Historically, Schubert turned to the guitar not just out of necessity, but because it was an intimate, everyday companion. Its approachability wasn’t a compromise—it was its greatest strength.
Guitars were instruments integrated into daily life.
Silent guitars bring this essence back to modern times.
The quickest way to see if a silent guitar truly works for classical music is to listen to just one piece.
