What is the best guitar to start with, acoustic or electric?

Question

Acoustic guitars with nylon strings are best if you've never played guitar before. The nylon strings are softer for fingers who are not used to pushing down on the guitar's frets. Steel string guitars are acceptable, but they will cause more pain during long practices.

For children, a 3/4 guitar is good for small hands.

Answer 1

Hi. Considering which guitar to start on is important. However, it is better to start with the guitar you have rather than wait to start on the guitar you might get some day.

Another important consideration is to play on the guitar that you like. I play jazz, classical, rock, folk, and all sorts of music, so I have many guitars. I tend to practice most on the one that I like best at the moment. Each guitar has its strengths and special uses, but you can play just about anything on any guitar. You probably won't play anything on a guitar that you don't like.

All that being said, it is important to play on a guitar that works. Many students come to me with guitars that are poorly set up with old crusty strings. Those guitars make my fingers hurt! If you're just getting started it is important to play on a guitar that won't work against you. You can get your guitar set up for about $75 at any decent guitar shop. They will replace the strings and adjust the neck and other parts so that the strings lay properly on the neck. If they're off by even 1/16 of an inch, your fingers will feel the difference. I have this done yearly on my guitars, and my hands are happier for it.

So, start playing the guitar that fits the music you like, and make sure your guitar is in good working order and that the strings are new. This will make you happy and remove unnecessary obstacles to your progress.

Answer 2

I strongly recommend starting on a nylon string acoustic guitar. This is the old-fashioned, traditional answer, but there is one important reason that makes it difficult to recommend an electric guitar to someone who is new to the instrument general.

The acoustic guitar keeps things simple. Without amplifiers, effects, and all of the requisite knobs and toggles to dial in, you can just focus on making those six strings produce the right notes, which is more than enough to keep a beginning (or even intermediate or advanced) player busy.

All the fun distortion and effects can be a shortcut to sounding like one's idols, but can also be a distraction from understanding the musical ideas which are the real key to playing like them.

Even if one is diligent and focused, learning how to dial in appropriate tones and use the volume knob while playing can be a little like playing a whole different instrument at the same time as the guitar.

It's not exactly the exciting or liberating answer, but starting on acoustic (nylon, if you value your fingertips) is the surest path toward building the solid musical foundations you really want as a guitar player.

Answer 3

I was pretty poor when I first started playing guitar so I had to start on a cheap, used acoustic. I still think this is the best starter option. You don't want to spend a lot of money on your first instrument, especially if you're buying it for a child who will grow out of it or decide to play drums instead. For classical or Spanish styles (like flamenco), choose nylon strings. For all else, choose steel strings.

Answer 4

I get asked that all the time.You should go with what you want to play. If electric suits you then go with that or acoustic if you like that. There are advantages and disadvantages with both. The big advantage for an acoustic is you don't need an amplifier, however you will not be able to make it sound like an electric; as well, an electric guitar just doesn't have the same sound as an acoustic.

So, to start with you will be learning basics like chords and melodies. This can be achieved with either just as equally. As you get more advanced you will notice nuances that are particular to one or the other. That's when it will make a difference.

Answer 5

I have been teaching for more than 10 years and I learned that electric guitar is a great option for beginners. An electric guitar will have less action than acoustic guitars. guitar action, is the height that the string is from the fretboard. the closer the strings are, the easier it is to play.

Personally, I believe that if you like modern music, an electric guitar is the way to go. However, if you enjoy classical music I would go for the nylon string acoustic.