Which gutair is eaiser to learn how to play on, acoustic or electric?

Question

Im going to teach myself how to play and would like all they help i can get =)

Answer 1

This is a little more complicated than just acoustic or electric:

1. the strings on an electric guitar tend to be closer to the fretboard than most acoustic guitars, but they are generally more fragile (especially the first string - E) and go out of tune more easily.

2. The strings on a nylon string, classical guitar are relatively easy to push down, but the fretboard (fingerboard) is wide. If you have large hands this actually makes it easier to learn, but if your hands are relatively small, you may have trouble with reach. Classical guitars are more suited to fingerstyle playing, not strumming. The low tension of the strings can make the instrument sound a little clunky when you try to play rock songs on it.

3. The strings on a steel string acoustic guitar are harder to push down and tend to hurt the tips of your fingers (especially the left hand) until you build up callouses. The fretboard (fingerboard) is almost as narrow as the electric guitar however, and the steel strings are more conducive to strumming.

You can get acoustic guitars with pickups or without. Price is always a factor, as is quality. Acoustics can be played without accessories, such as amplifiers, cords, effects pedals, the whole electricity thing. This can be crucial if you want to take it with you in rural areas. Electric guitars can be played with headphones however, which means you can practice when everyone else is asleep, or watching their favorite show, or when they just don't want to hear you. The small practice amplifiers actually have headphone jacks (most of them anyway) so this may be a consideration.

the biggest factor is the type of music you want to play. If you are hooked on classical, you need the nylon stringed classical guitar. If you get into the Eagles, folk or country, definitely go for the steel string acoustic. If you want to tear the paint off of your walls or expect to be the next Jimmy Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen, or say Prince (Hey, I'm an old guy so you will have to insert your own Rock legends in this part) then you should gravitate toward the electric.

One other reason to consider the electric is the optional USB port they are putting in some of them. This allows you to hook your guitar right into your laptop or desktop computer. There are a lot of freeware, shareware, and commercial software titles that will allow you to record yourself, (Audacity, Fatrock Studio) play along with others (Band in a box) or just keep time Metronome, Guitar tuner)

I stuck a couple of links below to get you started. You can use most of them whatever decision you make. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

You will get a different answer to this question depending on who you ask. I recommend starting on an acoustic and I'll explain my reasoning so you can decide for yourself. First: which ever you choose, get one that is good enough quality so it will stay in tune and has easy enough 'action' so you don't spent more time fighting the instrument than learning. Acoustic: An acoustic can be played anywhere because it doesn't need to be amplified. Acoustics are much more forgiving when you are learning to strum, although sometimes harder to finger chords. Electric: Often an electric will have easier action. That makes it easier to press the strings when you are learning chords. The down side to easy action is that it's easier to inadvertently pull the strings out of tune as you finger a chord. In other words, an electric requires a light touch....more control, which is just one more thing for a beginner to master. An electric also has a whole second dimension which must be mastered: the electronics. And of course there is the potential distraction of getting so wrapped up in power chords and effects that you stop learning the instrument. Bottom line: an acoustic can be set up with light gauge strings so it will be easy to finger. Once you have mastered the basics of BOTH hands, you can move on to an electric...but guess what? The acoustic won't go to waste. You'll still play it. Best of luck to you.

Answer 3

The two types of guitars that you mention in your question are more or less the same the only difference being the method in which sound is produced. In acoustics guitar while there is no electrical amplification, an electric guitar uses an electronic amplifier to produce sound.

Learning acoustics guitar will be better in my opinion though.

And, guitar learning can be made easy by more and more practice not by deciding on different guitars.

Answer 4

Well, ill assume that you havent purchased either yet.. so heres someting to think about. If you start out on acoustic, all you need to get started is the guitar, a tuner, and a beginners book. If you chose electric you will also need an amp and cable... its generally easier to start with the acoustic, learn your basics. Have fun with it!!

Answer 5

Electric. Check this out.

http://www.chaddukes.org/2007/05/start-with-acoustic-myth.html