[sylynn]

yeah i was wondering if its easier to start off with a acoustic guitar or a electric?
i want to know ur opinnion
thx

[CRG1400]

By playing acoustic first, you better strengthen your fingers and train your hands. THe tension is higher and it is harder to finger and acoustic guitar than a electric. Imagine learning to drive a bus or a semi truck, it is harder to learn and takes a little added effort, but when you start driving a car or a truck (something much smaller than a bus or a semi truck) it is easy and are a better driver because of it. This occurs alson with acoustic guitar. You gain a step over others who started with electric guitar, the skills of playing electric guitar will come easier to you.

[okiejohn]

I'd say that it's way easier to start off with an electric.

That said, I'll add that it's better to start off with an acoustic.

[sunday_girl]

Hi welcome to the forum if you are new. I have to agree with the others who have replied to your question.
Start on acoustic you will get a better start on chords and barrs and all the other important things you need to learn.
In a perfect world it would be nice to have both and practice on the two of them.
but most of us arnt that fortunate.
I have had an electric for over a year, and only now am i playing my electric on a regular basis.
but the most important thing is enjoy doing it which ever you have.
Rachel

[sylynn]

Hi welcome to the forum if you are new. I have to agree with the others who have replied to your question.
Start on acoustic you will get a better start on chords and barrs and all the other important things you need to learn.
In a perfect world it would be nice to have  both and practice on the two of them.
but most of us arnt that fortunate.
I have had an electric for over a year, and only now am i playing my electric on a regular basis.
but the most important thing is enjoy doing it which ever you have.
Rachel

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

thanks i'm gonna start with an acoustic!
sylvia

[deamhain]

I started learning to play back in March on an acoustic and last week bought an electric for the first time.

Let me tell you that if you have the patience to master the difficult stuff on the acoustic you will notice a huge difference on an electric.

It's not all a one-way street though - some things are, in my opinion more difficult on the electric, mostly to do with technique. For example, because it's a lot harder to do bends on an acoustic, if you come at the string from a slight angle you'll most likely get away with it, on the electric you can end up bending when you don't want to be. It took me a day or so to get used to that.

Anyway, my opinion:

Start on the acoustic and give yourself a good period of time to learn.

Cheers

[billy16]

as most everyone said, acoustic is harder, but worthwhile to learn first.

of course the technique is different between electric and acoustic. once you are good with an acoustic, think how easy and electric will be.

[gcd23]

I agree with the others. Acoustic is the way to go when you are learning as it will be tougher to play barre chords among other things. Acoustics tend to have a fatter neck so its tougher to play but when you get used to playing it the electric will be a breeze to play.

This post has been edited by gcd23: 03 January 2005 - 10:09 PM

[BaasLian]

I started learning to play back in March on an acoustic and last week bought an electric for the first time.

Let me tell you that if you have the patience to master the difficult stuff on the acoustic you will notice a huge difference on an electric.

It's not all a one-way street though - some things are, in my opinion more difficult on the electric, mostly to do with technique.  For example, because it's a lot harder to do bends on an acoustic, if you come at the string from a slight angle you'll most likely get away with it, on the electric you can end up bending when you don't want to be.  It took me a day or so to get used to that.

Anyway, my opinion:

Start on the acoustic and give yourself a good period of time to learn.

Cheers

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Oi! Have you been away for a while? I haven't seen any of your posts lately...

Anyway, I had the same thing happen to me during the first few days playing the electric, bending notes accidentally every now & then

After a few hours of playing one gets used to it - It's good fun & *probably* broadens your guitar-playing spectrum, but the acoustic guitar will always have that special place in my heart.

Ok, I'll stop being so emotional

[sylynn]

thanks all!im gettin a acoustic 4 my b-day (in 11 days)i can get lessons for 5 bucks an hour (my next door neighboor is goona teach me!she's real good)

[grumpy j]

IMHO...

Acoustics and electrics are like Pit Bulls and Poodles....they are both dogs, but you approach them differently. HA!

As many of the above have stated, the acoustic is harder to master in terms of having the finger strength to create "clean" chords and notes. However, it is also more forgiving in that all of your little gaffs are not magnified for the world to hear and the notes blend more smoothly when playing full chords (as opposed to barre).

That being said, the electric is much easier on the old digits, but it is easy for beginners to develop sloppy finger placement and habits since they can cheat and get a full sound easier by needing less pressure on the strings. You can also get away with 3 (or even 2 *ack*) note barre chords sounding decent if you have enough gain and want to get a grunge sound. Again, not a good habit to fall into if you are starting out.

Either way you start, it will take some adjustment to get used to the other until you have enough experience playing both. I started on an acoustic in the early '90s, then switched to electric. I guess it doesn't really matter since now I mostly play bass, but after I get done playing bass for a few hours, I still have to take a few moments to re-acquaint my fingers with the acoustic if I try to play it right away.