Learning Guitar: Do I start out on an electric or acoustic guitar?

by John Tuggle on January 4, 2008

beginner guitar lessonsIt really depends on what you want to play.

Most people say you have to learn the acoustic first, which is a complete lie! Actually, learning the electric guitar, is far easier to start on, because the strings are smaller and easier to push down. I

If you really want to play the acoustic guitar, play the acoustic, but keep in mind it will be much harder.

I would recommend putting smaller strings such as Martin extra lights on any Acoustic guitar. This will make it much easier to start out on.

I usually recommend the electric guitar to everyone starting out, just because it is a lot easier to play.   In the beginning it’s hard enough learning the guitar, and a really cheap hard to play acoustic, will drive most people away very quickly.

One more thing about the electric guitar, make sure it is set up properly.

I had a kid start taking recently that brought in a guitar that had the strings about a half inch off the fretboard! This is pretty high, and will make it extremely hard to play. If you don’t know to set it up, take it to your local music store. You won’t regret it.

Here’s a video I did about strumming the guitar. Johnwaynemusic.com no longer exists though. It is now Learning Guitar Now.com

What is your favorite style of guitar playing?  Electric or Acoustic?

Let me know right below this post.

I have written a Beginners Guitar Ebook for anyone looking to start playing the guitar and if you want to learn how to properly strum the guitar to play many of your favorite songs, I have created a downloadable video to teach you exactly how to do this.

For more info on learning the guitar, visit my website, Learning Guitar Now.

[tags]guitar lessons, free guitar lessons, online guitar lessons, acoustic guitar lessons, beginner guitar lessons, learn guitar[/tags]

{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }

Frank

Very good advice, I wish I saw something like this before selecting my first guitar.

I ended up selecting an acoustic guitar; which I by no means regaret… However I did end up fustereted after a while and put it to the side…

A few months from then, I did end up buying an electric setup also… I used it to learn some basics (and yes, electric guitar strings are so much easier to manipulate than acoustic strings! remember everyone acoustic guitar strings have a lot more tension on them!!!)

Anyway, after a bit I went back to Acoustic and all is fine. I still pick up the electric once in a while, but I like how acoustic guitars sound… :-)

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