Is it better to start learning on an acoustic or electric guitar?

Question

When you're ready to start on your guitar journey, choosing between all the different guitars you can possibly buy can be a bit daunting. But the biggest choice you have to make is sometimes between the two main guitar categories: acoustic or electric?

Answer 1

This certainly depends on the kind of music you're playing and the tone you're expecting while you play. I play both acoustic and electric and in many ways, they're kind of a different instrument. If you have never picked up a guitar before, I would recommend starting to learn acoustic first. If you know how to play and want to learn how to play lead guitar and riffs, I would recommend an electric!

Answer 2

The electric is a more complete instrument - Meaning that one can play both single line solos AND chords for accompanying other players or voice.

The electric guitar is also easier to play (and therefore easier to learn on) because:

1. The neck is both narrower and thinner (making it easier to get smaller hands around)
2. The strings are thinner (making them easier to press down, less wear and tear on the fingers, and much much easier to bend when soloing)

While everything that one can play on the acoustic guitar can be effortlessly transferred to the electric guitar, soloing techniques in modern musics require lots of bending - pretty much the exclusive realm of the electric guitar.

On an acoustic guitar, while bending strings is not impossible, they require ten times more strength, and will literally tear your fingertips to pieces as well as the danger of causing arm cramps that can easily become tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome.

There are, of course, stylistic concerns.

For example, Classical Guitar is usually played on a nylon string guitar, which is not the same look, feel, technique or sound as either an acoustic guitar or an electric guitar (and there is no bending involved).

If someone has zero desire to complete their guitar education with a working knowledge of how to improvise solos, in say, Rock, Blues, and Jazz, et al, there is no reason whatsoever to purchase an electric guitar.

For the record, it is actually easier to improvise solos than it is to effect chord changes!

That is because, when soloing, the guitarist is only playing one single melody note at a time with one single finger, whereas when playing accompaniment chords one has to be able to move an entire handful of fingers to a brand-new position in the blink of an eye every few beats or so.

It's a lot harder to move 3 or 4 fingers simultaneously to arrive at the next chord down the pike than it is to press one single finger to fret a note and then move the next finger to play the next single note!

I never ever knew that until I started teaching!

Like most folks, I always assumed that soloing was way more difficult (because it's flashier) and that bashing out chords was easier (because everybody knows how to do it).

That was a huge revelation for me, both as a pro player and as a teacher!

As regards pricing, there is no significant difference between purchasing a decent acoustic guitar and an entry level electric guitar package (which always includes a small practice amplifier, and usually some other goodies too: tuner, strap, gig bag, picks, etc).

Both can be had for just under the $300 mark.

Given the choice, I always try to steer my students towards an electric guitar since that will enable them to one day become a complete musician, whereas an acoustic guitar will limit them to only being a rhythm player.

Answer 3

I have taught guitar classes for over 30 years, to all ages, including college students. The most convenient and easiest way to learn how to play the guitar and develop skills is to start with an acoustic guitar. Some students do not like practicing on an acoustic because their guitar has medium gauge strings and the tips of their fingers become sore from practice. They can simply change to light gauge strings which are easier on the left hand fingertips when playing notes and chords. To properly set up an electric guitar, students should purchase a small amp to start and most teachers prefer acoustic guitars as amps are heavy and not convenient for classroom learning. If the student desires to later purchase an electric guitar, when they develop their skills, then the student can invest in a more expensive electric guitar and amp. Acoustic guitars can be purchased for under $250 and a gig bag costs $30-60. Sometimes students purchase expensive equipment and decide not to continue studying the instrument. Best to be prudent in investing in an instrument, and gradually invest in instruments rather than spending a lot of money on equipment.

Answer 4

That greatly depends on both age and interests.

If you're the parents of a youngster who may not know exactly what they want or uncertain if they'll stick with it, I'd actually consider getting a ukelele first. For starters, they're less expensive. Additionally, a lot of the chord shapes they'll learn can easily translate to guitar. Finally, uke is something they'll never outgrow--they're a ton of fun and will always come in handy at some point or another, whereas a starter guitar--electric or acoustic--will have a limited shelf life and may be difficult to unload later on down the road, especially if it's a smaller size.

However, a pre-teen or teenage girl (for example) who is aspiring to be the next Taylor Swift would definitely want an acoustic guitar. While it doesn't have to be boutique, it's important that it feels good in your hands and inspires you.

Another example would be, say, a forty or fifty something professional who has always loved Pink Floyd but never had the chance to pursue it before. In this instance, I recommend treating yourself to a nice Stratocaster--you've earned it!

Answer 5

I'd say to start on acoustic. The learning curve is a little steeper because the strings are thicker and higher off the fretboard, but long term you'll be better off. Learning on an electric is of course still a fulfilling practice, but the finger strength and dexterity you gain by learning on an acoustic will transfer to electric much easier than the other way around.

Answer 6

Most people tend to think that because an acoustic guitar has less knobs, switches, and electronic parts that it is easier and thus better to start with, but I think the opposite is actually true. Also, most people tend to think that an electric guitar is just louder because they are used to the image of an electric guitar taking the paint off the walls with a huge amplifier, but keep in mind that the volume knob of an amplifier can turn the other way too, and newer ampifiers often come with a headphone jack, while acoustic guitars have only ONE loudness level.

Consider this: electric guitars come standard issue with thinner (and thus easier to push down) guitar strings, are designed with lower action (string distance from the fretboard so you don't have to push down as hard to get a decent note), are ready from the factory to connect a guitar strap to for more body stability, and are mostly cheaper since they're easier to mass produce.

More importantly, if you're interested in learning to play rock music, starting on an acoustic guitar can potentially be less rewarding and even a little disappointing for you, since acoustics just don't have the kind of access to all the cool rock sounds that an electric guitar does. However, if you're really into acoustic music and the unique sound of the acoustic guitar, then I recommend starting on the acoustic instead, since it will be more rewarding to you making those sounds. So the lesson here is to go with the guitar that you think sounds coolest, since you will be more likely to stick with the instrument that you are having the most fun with.

A cool hack here is to take your acoustic guitar into a guitar repair shop and get them to set it up with thinner guitar strings so you don't have to work as hard while you're learning to play. Then as you level up and your hand strength increases, you can always increase the string thickness later for a bolder sound.

Thanks!

Tyson Farmer