Should I start on electric or acoustic guitar?

Question

I'm an absolute beginner when it comes to guitar, and I was wondering whether to get an electric guitar or an acoustic guitar. I plan to play electric guitar for the most part, but i need to know which is easier to learn on.

Thanks!

Answer 1

begin with acoustic then you can make some real rock & roll with the electric...

Answer 2

Elecrtric is far easier, ask any guitar teacher.

Answer 3

i learned acoustic first cuz it was easier

after a while, i learned electric =]

so....start with acoustic

Answer 4

Well my suggestion would to be on the acoustic.That was my choice.The Acoustic Guitar is far more easier to understand than the Electric.So,if I were you I would first take lessons on how to play the Acoustic guitar,learn the strings,and the notes.And then once you can play the Acoustic,may'be advance to Electric.They're pretty much the same thing,except for an Electric has the bass,treble,and other things like that that you have to memorize.

The Best Of Luck!:)

Answer 5

Learn on an acoustic.  Electric is actually "easier" per se, but the thing is if you learn on an electric you will likely play without hearing some of the subtle sound quality errors you're making and likely pick up bad habbits.  So especially if you ever want to play acoustic at all learn on an acoustic, it will help you in the long run.

Answer 6

I would try the acoustic first. i have been playing guitar for 4 years  i started the acoustic first . Then i didnt even have to learn the electric !

Answer 7

Any guitar that you will enjoy playing will be suitable to learn on.  There are some advantages to acoustic though:

1. You can't hide bad playing with distortion - you'll have to get better.

2. You won't annoy your family/neighbors with an acoustic when you play sour notes while learning (or playing the same thing over and over and over).  You could play unplugged but it wouldn't sound very good.

3. The action on an acoustic is usually bigger, which will force you to learn to play better.

4.  You don't have to lug around an amp to be able play.

Of course, if none of these things concerns you, then get an electric - you're going to learn fastest on something you enjoy playing.

Answer 8

i say start with acoustic because its more classic, then once you have a handle with acoustic switch to electric. Also theres alot more you can do with acoustic than you can with electric.

Answer 9

acoustic is easier but completely different from electric

Answer 10

I started learning on electric, and found acoustic much easier, and now I can play both reasonably well. Good luck!

Answer 11

Hi.

It is much better to learn on an acoustic guitar because it is much harder to play and you need more finger strength. Once you are a good player on an acoustic it is very easy to switch to electric. It is much more difficult to switch for electric from acoustic. Hope this helps!

Answer 12

Here's the catch.  It doesn't matter what you learn on.  If you learn "Music" and the theory behind it, you'll be able to play both.  

Yes, it's true (in most cases) that electric guitars are "easier" to play in the respect that the necks are usually slimmer and "faster" but if you can't play the chords and notes...then you can't play the chords and notes...and it won't matter which type you're playing.  

Electrics are great.  You can get a larger array of sounds out of them by varying the types of effects you use and which type of amp you play through.

Acoustics are great.  You get a more "natural" sound.  

I, personally, feel that the electric guitar is a bit limiting in that I find it difficult to use electric if I want to perform solo.  To me, the acoustic lends itself to that more readily than an electric.  

Regardless of your plans, spend the time to learn Music and theory.  Know what makes a "G minor" a G minor, etc.  Then apply that to whichever instrument you choose.  

As far as your question....it doesn't matter if you start on electric or acoustic.  Playing the guitar is playing the guitar.  One isn't easier or harder to learn on the other.

Answer 13

hmm..

well, i wanted to play bass, so i learned on an acoustic..

i think that the benefits to learning on an acoustic, is that ur hands become accustomed to a large fret (as opposed to a thin one), which makes it easier on ur hands to play any of the two. many ppl could argue with me, but thats the way i see it.

plus, if u were to start on an electric, what would u do if u had to play the acoustic at a party/gathering or something..? acoustic makes u a more versatile musician, and i think its important to know how to handle it.

both are great though- dont get me wrong. i just think that if one learns on an electric, theyll only learn how to play in one or two styles, and with the acoustic, ul learn way more ways to play a guitar- and ul be such a better player for it. :) another benefit to playing acoustic is that ur ears become trained to hearing correct pitch etc. u can really get to know a guitar on acoustic. classical guitars (with nylon strings) would be the most ideal a/g to learn on- its very easy on ur fingers and they wont bleed. theyll just strengthen ur fingertips.

always make sure u moisturize ur fingers after playing so not to get blisters :)

good luck mate!

Answer 14

acoustic. Then you won't be interested in too much shredding and you'll concentrate more on actually learning the instrument...HOpe I helped.

Answer 15

They are the same instrument, just a different material and Timbre. If you plan on getting an electric later on, might as well do it now. You have to press down a little bit harder on acoustics, so an electric might be better for you might now.

Also, if you are planning on learning any lead parts in songs or solos, you aren't able to access the higher notes on an acoustic fretboard.

Answer 16

acoustic is better for chords and stuff. i started off on electric

Answer 17

most people i know start on acoustic.

have you ever thought of starting on an electric/acoustic guitar. my friend started on her moms acoustic but wants her own electric acoustic[its one guitar but with both functions]

hope this helped(:

Answer 18

You would want to start with an acoustic guitar it is more simple

Answer 19

I started on an acoustic guitar. I don't know if it was because it was really old, or really cheap, or what, but I definately don't like it as much as I like my electric guitar. I'm still a total beginner too, and I think that the electric is much easier. the strings are easier to push down, and you can tune it easily by plugging it into a little battery powered thing that usually comes with the big beginner's electric guitar packs. I'd recommend one of those. They come with an amp, picks, case - usually, everything you'll need and more.

You can find them online, but I saw some really cheap ones in FYE if there's one near you.

Good Luck!!! You're gonna LOVE electric guitar!!

p.s. - playing hammer ons and stuff is a LOT cooler on electric guitar ; there are just so many fun effects that go along with it!

Answer 20

You should definately start with the one that you would rather play the most.  It is also VERY important to get the highest quality guitar you can afford because cheap guitars will definately discourage you from taking it any further if you feel like giving up.

Answer 21

accoustic is great for starters, but im not a guitar person, I AM THE DRUMMER

=D

Answer 22

heyy (:

i was a beginner too, it was when my brother let me play white stripes on his acoustic guitar that i wanted to play electric. i got lessons from school and amazingly guys became more interested in me, then i realised i loved bass. electric is deffo easier than acoustic, but the bass is awesome

Contact me if you wanna know anything else!

Much Love

Cat

xoxo

Answer 23

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Answer 24

I started off on the aucostic guitar.

I also wanted to play the electric guitar but and acoustic one was ( I found) cheaper because all you basically need it the guitar.

If price isnt an issue for you, then I'd still start with an acoustic because I like the sound a lot more and it is easier because there are kind of less parts. If you plan to also go to a place to take lessons, you could go there and ask fora professional opinion.

Good Luck!

Answer 25

acoustic cause it's easier.

Answer 26

acoustic will be better to learn the basic cords and figure out the notes,  and i would later get a electric

Answer 27

Acoustic guitar is always best to start out with. Learn chords before the tap.

Answer 28

I asked the person working at the guitar shop,  the answer: acoustic is good to start out with and then you can move to electric acoustic.

Answer 29

The acoustic guitar is generally more difficult to play then electrics, because the strings are usually thicker and they are almost always bulkier than electric guitars and have thicker necks.

But I'd actually recommend learning on an acoustic at first, because electric guitars feel really easy to play once you've been using an acoustic.  Plus you don't need an amp so you can practice almost anywhere without having to set up first.

Hope that helps and good luck!

Answer 30

get a nylon string classical to start with

Answer 31

acoustic. it's so much more classy!