Flamenco Guitar (fləmɛ́ŋkò gətɑ́r) is a type of guitar similar to a classical guitar. A Flamenco guitar is usually not made as heavy as a classical guitar, giving them a sound that is more strongly percussive as well as having a brighter tone. The top and sides of the guitar are traditionally made out of a Spanish wood such as sycamore, cypress, or rosewood. Because playing flamenco style guitar involves a great deal of finger-tapping, a flamenco guitar typically has a tap plate, which is a piece somewhat similar to a pick guard, that is usually made of plastic and helps protect the guitar from the finger taps.