“Should I start on acoustic or electric guitar?"
This is the number one question I get asked by newcomers. First let me explain to you the difference between an acoustic and electric guitar.
The Difference Between Acoustic and Electric Guitars
The bodies of acoustic guitars are hollow boxes that serve to amplify the sound of the strings when they vibrate. Electric guitars are usually made of a solid piece of wood and the sound of the strings is picked up by electro-magnetic pickups. This signal is then sent to an amplifier.
Acoustic guitars can be played and enjoyed without any additional amplification. Electric guitars need to be plugged into an amplifier to truly hear their sound. Both acoustic and electric guitars include six strings, are tuned the same, and are basically, at least in the beginning stages, played the same. What you learn on one type of instrument will carry over to the other.
Steel-String and Nylon-String Acoustic Guitars
Acoustic guitars include steel-string and nylon-string varieties. The steel-string, or "folk guitar," is the standard type and is used the most in popular music. Song examples are "Yesterday" by The Beatles, "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin, "Me and Bobby McGee" by Janis Joplin, and literally a million other tunes.
Nylon-string guitars, which produce a softer sound, are primarily used in classical and flamenco music but they sometimes appear in more mainstream music as well. Song examples include "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton and "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?" by Bryan Adams. Country music icon Willie Nelson, part rebel and part oddball, has strangely made a nylon-string guitar his instrument of choice which is uncommon in his genre.
Either type of acoustic guitar is suitable for beginners. You may want to stick with a steel-string since it's the most common. They will produce the sound you hear in most popular acoustic songs. There are a few benefits of the classical variety. Nylon strings are a little softer on the fingertips. Also, the strings are spaced slightly farther apart, which can give more room to chubby fingers.
Acoustic Guitar Prices
A good starter acoustic guitar will cost between $100-$200 by itself. For a bit more, you can get a pack that includes a gig bag (soft case), strap, electronic tuner, extra strings and picks. Acoustic guitars don't come in nearly as many shapes as electric guitars because their shape has an effect on how they sound. In general, you'll find this to be true about acoustic guitars: the bigger the body, the bigger the sound.
Electric Guitars
Electric guitars are as common in popular music as steel-string acoustics and even more common in rock styles (especially guitar solos). The electric guitar signal is frequently routed through devices that add special effects to the sound. These effects include reverb, distortion and echo. Electric guitar song examples include "Johnny B. Goode" by Chuck Berry, "Purple Haze" by Jimi Hendrix, the never-ending solo to "Free Bird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd, and literally a million other tunes.
Electric guitars come in a wide variety of shapes, colors and pickup configurations but they are all played the same. There are no specific types or features that a beginner requires. It's all up to what you think looks nice, feels nice and fits your budget. Later, after your ear has had time to develop and can discern between all the different tonal characteristics, you may find that you prefer some models to others. Until then, don't worry about it. Just get a guitar and learn how to play!
Electric Guitar Amplifiers
Electric guitars don't make much sound on their own and need to be plugged into an amplifier to truly hear them. Be sure to factor the price of this additional item when you calculate the cost of buying an electric. Nothing fancy is required. A suitable starter amp can be bought for under $100.
Electric Guitar Prices
Electric guitar prices are similar to acoustic guitar prices ($100-$200) but with the additional expense of an amplifier. Most manufactures offer a package deal that includes a gig bag (soft case), strap, electronic tuner, extra strings, picks, plus an amplifier, cable and headphones. You can get all this for under $300 and it’s perfect for a beginning guitarist.
Which to Choose, Acoustic or Electric?
Any guitar will do, whether it is steel-string, nylon-string or electric, as long as it's a decent instrument in good working condition. I recommend that students use what they're most interested in playing.
In regard to which kind of guitar will better help a new player to develop, perhaps the biggest myth is that a student should begin studying on an acoustic and graduate to an electric. I completely disagree with this concept. In fact, one could make a good case against starting out on an acoustic. This is because acoustic guitars have thicker strings and higher action, which make them a little tougher to play. They put more stress on the fingertips and it takes slightly more skill to get a good sound. An electric on the other hand, has lighter strings, lower action and it's easier to access the entire neck. More importantly, most students want an electric guitar and are more likely to be enthusiastic about practicing with one. This whole argument aside, it really doesn't matter what you start on. Just start!
Beware of Junk
The figures I mentioned above are generally where the price of decent instruments start. While it's possible to find a suitable guitar even cheaper, it's also possible to waste your money (and time) on a guitar that's too cheap to be played. Some guitars are borderline toys. They are made to look like legitimate instruments, but they are unable to be tuned and nearly impossible to actually use. Beware of guitars sold in department stores or catalogs that aren't specifically guitar related. Also, most hand-me-down, garage sale, and flea market guitars are passed on for a reason: They're junk! You'll have a very hard time trying to play an inadequate instrument (if you're able to play it at all).
For hours of free beginner guitar lessons watch the videos posted at the Easy Beginner Guitar Songs website.
Play Until Yer Fingers Bleed!
Mr. Desi Serna
Website: http://Guitar-Music-Theory.com
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8 comments:
I think it depends on the student. If, for example, their motivation to play was inspired by a musician's acoustic work, then their development should always tie to the inspiration.
A young student and an acoustic guitar is a recipe for disaster IMO, because the fretboard activity is very rigorous on the fingers. An electric guitar with super light strings is what I would recommend. And I spend about only 75 percent of my playing time playing through an amp. Most of my learning time is without amplification.
When you mention country musicians and classical guitars, how can you mention Willie Nelson and leave out Jerry Reed. If i recall correctly, the great country songwriter, Mickey Newberry, also played on a classical.
Love your fretboard theory course, by the way.
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I also get asked this question alot by students and would have to agree with your advice.
It really depends what sort of music the student would like to play, their age and their physical attributes.
After reading your article I decided to go electric for my second guitar purchase. My first guitar was a classical nylon string guitar which is not suitable for popular music.
However when I go to the music store I am baffled by so many different models to choose from. It's quite different from my experience of buying a classical guitar because there is basically just one classical guitar model. For example, the is the Fender Stratocaster, Telecaster, Gibson Les Paul, Ibanez etc.
I am completely a beginner and have never touched an electric guitar before so I want your expert opinion which model is best for a beginner like me? Should I just pick any guitar model at random?
Beginners can learn on inexpensive nylon string guitars! The nylon is easier on their new fingers and the width of the neck will make it easier if they switch to a different type of guitar.
sup3rdud3, I recommend any type of electric guitar that feels and sounds good to you. In time you can learn more about all the little differences in brands and designs. But at this point, just play!
Obviously there have been many great guitarists that have started on accoustic as well as electric. Whatever you can stick with and love is the guitar for you.
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