Playing the guitar is, without a doubt, one of the most common and gratifying artistic activities anyone can undertake. But as satisfying as it is, it’s certainly not easy. There are times during any student’s journey where they will feel like they’re not making progress and want to give up. Thankfully, that feeling isn’t the truth. Anyone willing to put in the time and effort can and will learn. Of course, this leads to one of the most enduring arguments when it comes to playing the guitar: acoustic or electric?  While there are pros and cons to each, the type of guitar you choose to learn with can have an impact on your journey. That’s why, this week, we’re exploring the pros and cons of learning to play with an acoustic vs electric guitar.

Learning to Play: Acoustic vs Electric Guitar

Acoustic Guitars

Acoustic guitars are, of course, named for the fact that they create and project sound acoustically. That means there’s no need for additional amplification (that said, the option to have acoustic guitars still exists, it’s just not necessary).

Pros Of Learning With an Acoustic Guitar

• Because of the very nature of acoustic guitars, learning with this style nearly eliminates the need for any additional expenses, such as amplifiers or cables.
• Thanks to the emphasis learning on an acoustic guitar places on technique, andy piece a student learns on an acoustic guitar, they will almost certainly be able to play on an electric guitar. This is not necessarily true for learning on an electric guitar.
• The natural and soothing tone created by an acoustic guitar is much more calm when compared to the more distorted sound of an electric guitar. If you’re concerned with the environment you’re creating for those around you while you practice, acoustic might be the way to go.

Cons of Learning With an Acoustic Guitar

• Acoustic guitars utilize gauge strings that are much heavier than those employed by electric guitars. For beginners, this might make things difficult for beginners, especially when it comes to fingering and picking techniques. These more robust strings might mean pain on the fingertips, and that discomfort has discouraged many beginner students.
• What’s more, thanks to this larger gauge, acoustic strings have a tendency to create more of a buzzing sound.
• Higher gauge strings also make holding barre chords more difficult than with typical electric guitar strings.
• Acoustic guitars tend to be more fragile than their electric counterparts.
• The fretboards on acoustic guitars are wider than electric guitars. This isn’t exactly beginner friendly.

Electric Guitars

As one might expect, electric guitars are named as such because they need electricity and amplification to create sound. Basically, electromagnetic pickups are used to literally “pick up” string vibrations and translate them into electrical signals that are then sent to the amplifier to produce sound.

Pros of Learning With an Electric Guitar

• Simply put, electric guitars are physically easier to play than acoustic guitars. This is thanks to their smaller bodies, thinner necks, and lighter gauge strings.
• The strings can be lighter because 100% of the sound projection is produced by the pickups and the amplifier. The strings don’t need to be heavy.
• Additionally, these lighter strings make some techniques, like holding barre chords, significantly easier.
• Many amplifiers have a headphone jack, which allows for near silent practicing.
• While there are several effects you can purchase for an acoustic guitar, there is simply no comparison to the vast breadth of them available for electric guitars. Adding any of the dozens – or hundred – of effects available for the electric guitar can help keep things fresh.

Cons of Learning With an Electric Guitar

• In addition to the cost of the instrument itself, you’ll also need to buy an amplifier. This can be a costly added expense for beginners.
• Even more experienced guitarists can find it difficult to find a good tone with an electric guitar. This is especially difficult for beginners with little to no understanding of guitars and amps. What’s more, the wrong tone can be discouraging.
• While most beginners who start with an acoustic guitar can pick up an electric guitar with little difficulty, the opposite is not always true.

The Verdict

The important thing to remember, regardless of which style of guitar you choose, is that you won’t become a rock star overnight. Regardless of the acoustic vs electric debate, it takes years of hard work and practice to become a master musician. And even then, there will always be room for growth – no one ever truly finishes learning to play the guitar.

Ultimately, there really is no one right or wrong answer to the question of whether you should learn on an acoustic vs electric guitar. It all comes down to a matter of personal tastes. What really matters, much more than the acoustic vs. electric argument, is whether or not you like the instrument you’ve chosen. Even someone who finds they have a lot of natural talent for the electric guitar won’t be as happy, and won’t make their very best music if what they really wanted to play was an acoustic guitar. It takes a lot of time and effort to master any instrument; make sure you’re choosing the instrument that you like to play and that will bring you the most joy.

After all, the easiest instrument to learn is the one you want to play!

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