Answers to Everyday Questions : Is it easier to learn to play guitar on acoustic or electric?

Is it easier to learn to play guitar on acoustic or electric?

8 Responses to “Is it easier to learn to play guitar on acoustic or electric?”

1. Kunikida (国木田) said :
   September 27th, 2010 at 3:01 am

   well acoustic you can carry it around without an amp but same with the electric with a portable amp which u have to buy. But even so they have the same number of strings. so there both the same
2. scott said :
   September 27th, 2010 at 3:20 am

   Its easier to learn on an electric but i recommend starting on an acoustic. The electrics strings are softer and wont create calluses on your fingers. If you dont have these calluses you will find it hard to play and it will take you a longer time to improve. So start on an acoustic unless your some insane crazy screamo person who needs electric. Start on acoustic. It teaches you to play better.
3. baxterville said :
   September 27th, 2010 at 3:23 am

   Electrics are usually easier, since they have thinner necks and lower action (strings closer to the fretboard) than acoustics. It takes less finger strength and dexterity to play an electric. And if you’ve got small hands, the thinner necks are more comfortable than chunkier acoustic ones.

   If you’re inclined toward acoustic, though, there are still guitars that are much more user-friendly than others. Ibanez and Jasmine by Takamine acoustics, for instance, have much thinner necks and lower action than most acoustics, which makes the popular choices for beginners, females and people with small hands.

   Purists say you should start out playing acoustic, since it’s easier to switch to electric than vice versa. But if you mostly plan on playing electric music, anyway, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with starting on electric.
4. Brandon C said :
   September 27th, 2010 at 4:16 am

   Honestly, it doesn’t matter. I started with an electric guitar. Eventually, believe me, you will end up having both an electric and an acoustic. They are both good in their respective ways. However, I would go with an electric. An electric is more satisfying, in that you can customize it both asthetically and in terms of sound, more than you could customize an acoustic. Both an acoustic guitar and an electric guitar are the exact same thing, one isn’t harder or easier than the other. They are EXACT. Same notes, in the same place, on the same string, on the same fret. Not one difference, except for sound, materials, and feel.
5. B.J. said :
   September 27th, 2010 at 4:57 am

   A lot of people will tell you the electric guitar for thinner necks and things, but I disagree with that. Strongly. They’re both pretty easy and hard in their own ways.

   Electric guitar requires a lot of discipline in picking, whether it’s hybrid, economy, alternate, sweep, etc. Playing riffs in certain songs, as well as guitar solos, can break your neck at first. Not to mention vibratos, tapping, hammer ons, pull offs, the tremo bar, slides, bends, etc.

   Acoustic guitar can be easily approached by simply learning a few chords (G, C, A, D, Am, A7, F, Dm, D7, etc.) and simply learn certain strumming patterns. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of famous acoustic guitarists out there that do a lot of complicated stuff. But there aren’t that many, just a few.

   Why do you think Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, etc. are considered rock icons? It’s really the guitar that made them. You can see some of the greatest artists the world has ever known that played guitar (Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, etc.) and they’re not in the Hall of Fame because they were guitar players. Acoustic guitar backs up the vocals, for the most part. Electric guitarists will drop everyone’s jaw with their unearthly guitar playing. Your hands have to be so disciplined that you can pick at a fast speed while keeping the rhythm and the flow, and sounding beautiful.

   Also, when I first started learning how to play the guitar, I started on acoustic then got my first guitar that same year on Christmas. Learning how to play, I learned scales, chords, barre chords, and timing. You’ll do the same with the electric guitar, but I believe they’d both in their respective ways take you in a different direction.

   I should also mention that it depends on the guitar style you want to go with. If you want to be a rhythm guitarist, it’s pretty easy to learn barre chords, power chords, etc. That’s much easier than a lead guitarist. A lead guitarist is in charge of the guitar solos, riffs, etc. Those are much more complicated. By the way, when I mentioned rhythm and lead, I was talking about electric guitars only. Acoustic is almost always about rhythm anyway, which is easy. You won’t see an acoustic guitarist unleashing their inner Hendrix anytime soon.

   I wish you the best of luck, and I hope you’re going to learn how to play. It’s an amazing choice of instrument (I play myself). Best of luck to you and have fun!
6. Nate F said :
   September 27th, 2010 at 5:55 am

   Starting out on either guitar is about equaly hard. But you can start on either. You cAn start on an acoustic and then switch to an electric. If you are just learning to play then it will be about the same. Some acoustic guitars are cheaper and easier to find and purchase nut there are some electric combo packs that are pretty cheap buy I advise to start out on a decent guitar so you won’t have to purchase a new one. Good luck.
7. Joshua H said :
   September 27th, 2010 at 6:36 am

   On an electric because the strings have less tension, however if you do take the time out to learn on an acoustic you will play allot better. This is due to the fact that you play fast on electric now since all the tension has now been lifted!
8. Benjamin said :
   September 27th, 2010 at 7:08 am

   Easier to learn on electric but better to start on acoustic and then move to electric.