Making a Choice: Are Electric or Acoustic Guitars Right for Me?

The correct answer to this question right off the bat would probably be both if talking about an experienced player. However, many a parent looking to provide guitar lessons for a child always does ask a question concerning electric or acoustic. To the uninitiated, belief might be held that the two are actually separate instruments requiring different instruction to play. However, the fret boards and the actual notes played are always fingered the same. Therefore, the actual music application is definitely interchangeable although each instrument does present differing playing techniques.

The Electric is so Cool

There is probably no youngster alive who hasn't looked at MTV and mimicked being a rock 'n roll guitarist producing screaming sounds emanating from their very own Fender or Gibson electric guitar. To many young people, an acoustic guitar presents a very folksy and sometimes country music-like image. Also, many youngsters have seen the infomercial with the famous guitarist Esteban hawking his musical instrument and guitar instruction course for acoustic play. There are certain similarities between the two as well as greater differences pertaining to three distinct areas dealing with cost of ownership, overall convenience and technique in playing.

Electric Commands a Higher Bill

Ownership and use of the electric guitar will obviously demand greater costs than an acoustic guitar will. Although initially the cost of the actual guitar may be similar between electric and acoustic, the electric guitar needs the accompaniment of several other devices in order to properly perform presenting the music produced through this instrument. There are quite a few more options available to players using an electric guitar including the necessary amplifier to hear the sounds produced as well as other devices such as pre-amps, effects pedals, different volume producing pedals and other accoutrement. The acoustic guitar needs to only be strung, picked up and played.

Acoustic is on the Go

With an electric guitar a power source and an amplifier is always needed, therefore, its portability and location to play a much more limited than that of an acoustic guitar. You can take the latter anywhere, playing at any time, never having to worry about a power source other than your own two arms and hands.

Acoustic Commands Detailed Dedication

Most experienced guitarists will tell you that playing an electric guitar is a lot easier. The strings are much softer than those used on an acoustic guitar providing greater flexibility and, actually, making it less painful to play. Although many acoustic guitars can be fitted with an electric pickup so the sounds produced can be heard through an amplifier, its construction does not lend itself for producing those screaming guitar licks heard made by the lead guitarist in any heavy-duty rock 'n roll band. Many purists, though, believe the natural progression for any beginning guitarists is to start on the classical acoustic guitar, learning all the fundamentals, and once proficient enough playing it, to acquire an electric guitar not as a substitute, but in addition to using the traditional instrument.

For convenience sake, a beginning guitarist is much better suited learning on an acoustic guitar so not to have to worry about the complexities playing an electric one.