Electric vs Acoustic: How Should I Learn to Play Guitar?

• June 21, 2016
• Guitar Lessons

One of the biggest decisions you can make after choosing to learn to play guitar is figuring out what kind of guitar you want to buy. There are a few different factors that may push you in one direction or the other. For this article, we’re going to look at a few of these differences and see if we can help you find the perfect guitar for your learning experience.

What kind of music do you want to learn how to play? (Learn to Play Guitar)

You may be thinking, “Why can’t I just learn the basics and then think about that stuff?”

While any half-decent guitar will help you learn basic chords and other fundamentals, thinking about the kind of music you want to play will inform your choices of beginner guitars. Are you inspired by bands like Led Zeppelin or Metallica? It sounds like you may be wanting an electric guitar so that you can start shredding once you’ve put in some practice time.

On the other hand, if you want to play folk or country music, you might think more about an acoustic guitar to strum. If there’s a guitar that will help you get to the sound you’re hoping to achieve, then that’s the guitar for you to learn to play on. That doesn’t necessarily mean you have to buy the most expensive guitar out there, but you’ll want to find one that is conducive to playing the music you want to play.

Maybe you haven’t thought long enough about what kind of music you want to play. If that’s the case, let’s look at a few other factors you may want to consider.

Physical differences between acoustic and electric guitars

Aside from the different genres of music associated with each instrument, there are a few other variations that may influence a person to purchase one over the other.

For starters, acoustic guitars are somewhat larger than electric guitars. The body is substantially thicker, which adds to the instrument’s rich sound, and may be more difficult for a novice to handle. It’s hard enough to achieve perfect posture when you’re first learning to play guitar, so the added depth of an acoustic guitar can be troublesome. For younger or smaller guitarists, an electric guitar may be a better option.

There are also things to consider when it comes to the neck and fretboard of the guitar. Just like its main body, acoustic guitars have a bigger neck than their electric counterparts. When you’re trying to learn different chords and how to transition between them comfortably, the size of the neck will play an important factor in how well you can do so.

As for the fretboard, you’re going to encounter different kinds of strings on each style of guitar. Acoustic guitars have thicker strings that you really have to mash down when playing a chord, whereas the electric’s strings are much kinder on your fingers. That being said, many guitar teachers actually prefer for you to learn on the acoustic’s tougher strings so that you will develop calluses faster and push through the tougher challenge.

Price differences between acoustic and electric guitars

Parents often buy their kids acoustic guitars when they are first starting out. This is partly because acoustic guitars are typically not going to get noise complaints from the neighbors or interrupt an episode of NCIS.

Aside from the volume, however, there is often a significant difference in price between electric and acoustic guitars. A decent, adult-sized acoustic guitar is probably going to run you between $200-$400. Since there isn’t an electric component, you’re basically done spending money after that (aside from picks, cases, and other things all guitars need).

Electric guitars are usually going to cost you a little bit more than the acoustics. A general price range would be between $300-600. On top of that, you’ll need to buy an amplifier if you want anyone else to be able to hear you. That will probably run you at least another $200 for something worth your time.

Of course, these are just average prices. Maybe you know a guy that can give you a really good deal on a quality guitar. For the rest of you out there, this is about what you’re going to pay. As you can see, there’s a good chance you’ll be paying more for that electric guitar.

These are just a few of the factors you should keep in mind when deciding what kind of guitar you want to buy. It all boils down to what kind of guitar fits you best. Musically and physically, you need something that is going to make practice more enjoyable. Don’t let your promising music career suffer a slow death just because you let someone else decide which kind of guitar you needed to play.

Once you figure out what kind of guitar you’re going to buy, it’ll be time for you to find a lesson plan that is going to challenge you and push you to success. That’s where the professional instructors at Pro Lessons are a lifesaver. We offer simple online guitar lessons from the guys who are out on the road every week making music.

Affordable lesson plans are available for beginner, intermediate, and advanced guitar players. Click on the link below for more information.