You might think that the acoustic guitar is just for hanging on the wall at your uncle's house, but don't be fooled: I'll show you it's much more than that.
If you're ready to step up your game and impress your friends (and grandmothers) with your musical mastery, let me introduce you to the genres you can play on the acoustic guitar.
And forget about gentle strumming - we're going to explore styles that will be sure to impress that special someone with your newfound skills.
So let's branch out and explore the rich, diverse world of musical genres you can play on the acoustic guitar. Who knows, you might just discover a new one that will rock your socks off.
1. Folk and Folk Rock
You're not going to believe this, but the acoustic guitar is perfect for - wait for it - folk music!
The go-to instrument for Paul Simon (From Simon & Garfunkel) and Peter Yarrow (from Peter, Paul & Mary) instantly lends itself to folk charm.
Play your acoustic guitar to transport you back in time and make you feel like you're sitting in a cozy coffeehouse in the middle of 1960s San Fransisco.
Unless you want to emulate legend like Bob Dylan, who nearly caused a riot for switching to electric - pick up a folk guitar and strum a few chords, and soon you'll start growing your hair long and protesting the man.
2. Country
Oh, you thought acoustic guitarists were just for hippies and coffee shop open mics? Think again, friend.
The acoustic guitar is also the axe of choice for country music legends like Johnny Cash. But sadly, modern stars like Brad Paisley choose instead to play the electric guitar.
By the way, and don't be fooled. Dolly Parton does not belong to the mix of country legends who play acoustic guitar.
Although she's definitely a superstar of the genre, she's been caught many times playing open tunings on a classical guitar, probably owing to her epically manicured nails on her fretting hand.
Yikes - it's the Wild West out there.
3. Blues
Listen baby! The acoustic guitar isn't just for strumming "Kumbaya" around a campfire.
Legendary bluesman Robert Johnson proved it, in only seven short months and two recording sessions, that the acoustic guitar is the perfect instrument to unleash your inner blues god.
Still not convinced? Check out this epic blues bit I came up with right now.
Oh, and guitarists!
PSA: there are far too many blues guitarists switching to electricity.
Just like with country music, we need to stop the trend of using an electric guitar to try and seem authentic and relatable.
Everyone knows the electric guitar is for those who don't have any real talent or musical ability, right?
4. Singer Songwriter
Back in the 16th century, troubadours and minstrels roamed the streets of Europe, strumming their vihuela (the ancient ancestor of the folk guitar) and serenading the masses with tales of love and chivalry.
Fast forward to today and your modern pop star who isn't playing classical music is a direct descendant of those mediæval rockstars.
I'm sure Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift are just thrilled to be associated with such a lowly historical figure, but since they're not using a kazoo or a triangle to accompany their boring pop songs, I've got no choice but to draw that parallel.
They may be using the acoustic guitar as a crutch to make up for their lack of creativity. I suppose we should just be grateful for that.
5. Celtic music
Oh, you think the folk guitar is just for modern troubadours? Yeah, who knew that the guitar could be used for anything other than good old-fashioned American bluegrass.
Maybe those exotic peoples from the north of Europe actually have something valuable to contribute to the world of music?
Yep, just realize that your banjo-pickin' friends from the heart of Appalachia are simply continuing a folk tradition that the Celtic fiddlers brought with them.
But hey, if you're feeling adventurous, tune your guitar into DADGAD and try your hand at playing some of that "foreign" Irish music.
Just be careful not to get too carried away and start a hoe-down, Doc Watson style.
6. Gypsy jazz
Playing gypsy jazz is like showing up to a party in a tuxedo when everyone else is wearing jeans. But before you get excited, remember that the jazz manouche purists will scoff if you don't have their special instrument.
To any diehard gypsy jazz fan, not knowing the difference between a grande bouche and a petite bouche is like being confused about the difference between sipping a fine wine and chugging a beer.
So go ahead, be a rebel, and make some beautiful gypsy jazz music on your acoustic guitar. Just don't come crying to me when you can't get "Minor Swing" not to sound like a hollow chest.
7. Fingerstyle
Finally, we get to the best style of them all to play on the acoustic guitar - it's of course, fingerstyle, and the whole reason you're here, right?
To learn fingerstyle guitar, and what better way than with my online course, Play Fingerstyle Guitar Now!
Go ahead and join the ranks of famous guitarists like Mike Dawes, Jon Gomm and Tommy Emmanuel who have wisely made the choice to switch from the lowly electric guitar to the modern acoustic.
So next time you pick up your trusty folk guitar and feel like pouring your heart and soul into the music, remember that fingerstyle is the only real music genre that lets you do that. No pressure or anything.
