How does this phrase mean "it is better if"?


A Busuu example dialogue suggests that this phrase ギターが弾けると良いのですが means "It's
better if you can play the guitar". I understand that ギターが弾けると means "if you
can play the guitar". Is this the explanatory の in this phrase? What purpose
does it serve? Does it make 良い mean "better" rather than just "good"? Also, is
this a typical way to express that "something is better/preferred" in familiar
language? I would have just said ギターが弾けるの方がいいです...




> 「ギターが弾けると良いのですが」means "It's better if you can play the guitar".

I am not sure if the translation is completely correct or not. I'd like to
know in which context the phrase is used. i.e. Are you asking if I could play
guitar or not at the venue? Are you asking there is any guitar instrument
other than instruments? Or you may want to play guitar better than now?

So, I think this 「と」probably works as
[希求法](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%B8%8C%E6%B1%82%E6%B3%95) : [optative
mood](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optative_mood), which indicates "wish or
hope".

> Also, is this a typical way to express that "something is better/preferred"
> in familiar language?

It depends on how you ask though, I think it can indicate one's preference.
The examples I prepared are

  * ラーメンを食べられると良いのですが。: I'd like to have miso-ramen.
  * 外の景色が見れる席に移れると良いのですが。: May I move to the table you can look out the view?
  * Wi-Fiを使えると良いのですけれど。: I wish I could use Wi-Fi. (Is it possible to use Wi-Fi)

If you want to use in a more comparative way, 「ギターを弾けた方が良いです。」is correct. I
think「の」is used to express comparing concrete objects i.e "Being able to play
guitar" is more conceptual.

