Should I start with the electric guitar or acoustic?

Question

I want to learn how to play the guitar this summer. The electric guitar sounds cool but I don tknow if i should start with acoustic. I've heard a rumour that the acoustic guitar messes up your fingers because the strings are wire-like while the electric's are plastic-like. Any advice?

If I start out with acoustic how long should i play it before moving on to electric?

Answer 1

OK, categories first:
- Acoustic and acoustic/electric guitars have steel strings.
- Classical guitars have nylon (what you call plastic) strings.
- Electric guitars have steel strings, too, but thinner gauge and lower action (the distance between the neck & the strings) and are therefore much "softer" to play.
Since you're into pop, you will end up with an electric, but it's better to start with an acoustic because your fingers will be way faster and stronger later on. That "later on" depends on how fast you learn, but if you practice about 2 hours a day, move to an electric in a year. By then, make sure you have learned music theory and the correct use of all your fingers on the left hand - many players cripple themselves by not using their pinky.
For the acoustic guitar, go with a Takamine, Yamaha, Carvin or Ibanez, acoustic/electric, $350 or higher, so you get a good instrument that will not hinder your learning and that you can use even professionally later on. Later on, get a quality electric, too - no one became great by wasting time on crap instruments. Fender and Gibson are great, but Ibanez is way more versatile, more affordable and overall more modern.

Answer 2

When you pick up an electric axe most guitarists will hide behind a truckload of distortion which can make a bass player sound like he knows what he's doing. Acoustics still give professionals fret buzz (not a nice sound where the note is sounded with a buzz). Acoustic guitars will break your fingers in with excutiating pain. electric guitars are cool. In most cases acoustics are relatively cheaper and if after 2 months you're not playing like kirk hammet then you can through it away without wasting so much money. I started on acoustic but it's each man to himself. There really is no difference. In my experience people don't play electric or acoustic guitar, they just play guitar. It should be relatively easy to interchange. No point asking it's more or less up to you.

Answer 3

I learned to play on a acoustic guitar. The strings on acoustic and electric are all made out of wire, with the exception of classical guitars. The strings on an acoustic are typically heavier than on an electric. So, it is a little harder to play. This will not mess up your fingers. In fact it will strengthen your fingers; which will improve your skills. The acoustic is harder to play, but the practice will pay off in the long run.

Answer 4

I started out with Acoustic, well acoustic electric so I could plug it into an amp if I wished. I've played electric and the difference in strings did not bother me at all. I thought the acoustic was lighter so it was easier for me to learn with. I prefer the sound of acoustic to electric as well.
Plus, with electric you'd probably want to use an amp and if you're just starting out and you have room mates that may be a problem, sound wise. It's always rough going at first.
My answer is based on my personal choice though, as opposed to being based on a guitar instructors thoughts on strings and such.

Answer 5

ACOUSTIC!
I started playing acoustic when I was 13 and I was so happy that I did when I got an electric. it improved my finesse so much as opposed to people who just picked up an electric as opposed to an acoustic first.
You sound better and playing electric is almost effortless.
After you develop caulluses and get used to playing electric later on, buy yourself a set of deadn markley Blue Steel 13's. use them for a couple of string changes, then 11's or 10's and playing guitar will be effortless. 13's sound so good, but they do a number on your hands, but in the long run they will help.


Go acoustic first.
Trust me, i've been playing for a while, I know my way around a guitar.
I did, then, a year later, I sold it and bought a hot pink crybaby!

Answer 6

Start with acoustic. It is harder to play (the strings on electrics seem to bend, glide, play more easily). As for messes up your fingers thats called calouses (spelt?) and it makes you a better player :-). But if you are really worried get a nylon string, not a steel string and it will be easier on your fingers. But definately start acoustic. That way you can play it without an amp and still have it sound good and when you go to pick up an electric you'll be really good. When you play through an amp its a bit unforgiving with mistakes!!!
GOOD LUCK!

Answer 7

I have been playing for years and I would reccomend the acoustic. It is harder to play because the strings are stiffer but, as a result, your fingers will develope strength quicker and once you can fully sound out a few chords on the acoustic it will make the switch to electric much easier. Hope this helps (And hope this gets me a best answer:) Later!

Answer 8

Electric is easier to play. Do most of your favorite musicians play with electric or acoustic? You should get the one that your favorite bands use.

Answer 9

the acoustic is easier to learn so i think you start acoustic then try electric

Answer 10

depends on how hard you want to work......

acoustic strings are thicker and further from the guitar neck

electric takes less work to hold down the strings and strum the notes