How to Play a Baritone Acoustic Guitar

Baritone guitars are pitched lower than a standard acoustic guitar, but higher than a bass.

The baritone guitar is a soothing instrument that takes the same amount of technique to play as a regular acoustic guitar. The differences, though subtle, are extremely important. When you first play a baritone acoustic guitar, you will first notice that it sounds lower and "lazier" than a regular guitar. Music has five specific "voice" types: soprano, alto, tenor, baritone and bass. Baritone guitars are therefore lower than the standard guitar but higher than a bass.

Things You'll Need

• Electronic tuner
• Guitar music (tablatures)

Instructions

1. 

   Tune your guitar to the proper tuning.

   Tune the guitar. Baritone guitars are tuned differently than normal guitars. Tune your guitar, starting at the top string, in this order: A D G C E A.

2. Familiarize yourself with the sound of the guitar. If you are used to playing a normal acoustic guitar, you will instantly notice that this guitar sounds considerably lower.

3. Open up your book containing guitar tablatures and chords.

4. Play the chords.

Tips & Warnings

• You will notice when you start to play normal guitar tabs that your guitar sounds lower. This is because a baritone guitar is tuned a "Perfect 5th" lower than the average guitar. What this means is that, if you want to play a song and have it sound the same as it would with a normal guitar, you must play the chord that is a 5th lower than what is written. This is called "transposition." Here is a general guide as to how you will transpose for baritone guitar:

• If the song wants you to play a "C," then you will need to play an F on your guitar. Here are some more common conversions:

• B=E

• A=D

• G=C

• F=Bb

• E=A

• D=G

References

• Taylor Guitars: Baritone Guitars