Guitar debate – Acoustic vs. Electric

Not much difference lies between an acoustic and an electric guitar. By looking at them, they, for the most part, appear very similar. They have the same basic components, similar shapes, and appear to be interchangeable. Despite this, there are often debates as to which type of guitar is best to learn on. More often than not it seems as though the acoustic wins the debate.

The Difference Between Acoustics and Electrics

Acoustic and electric guitars are set up and played generally the same. Acoustic guitars typically have heavier strings; which means it takes a little more pressure to play them. Electric guitars therefore have lighter strings, causing them to play a little easier.

Acoustic guitars can be used for different things, but the main thing they are used for is to play rhythm. Rhythm means that a strumming pattern is used while playing chords. Electric guitars, on the other hand, are a little more versatile. They can be used to play rhythm, but can be used to play lead or solo parts in songs as well. Electric guitars also are frequently plugged in through some sort of processor which allows them to produce various sounds ranging from clean to distorted.

Benefits of Learning Acoustic First

Many guitar instructors will recommend that a person learns to play guitar on the acoustic first. The reasoning behind this is that if the acoustic guitar is learned first, it is very simple to transition to the electric. On the other hand if the electric is learned first, it becomes a little more difficult to make the transition to the acoustic.

Part of this theory is because of the pressure it takes to play an acoustic. It is easier to get used to putting a lot of pressure on the strings in the first place, rather than having to learn that later. Another reason is that playing chords on an acoustic are a little harder than playing them on electric. Electric guitar players use a lot of what are called power chords, or cheater chords. Those kinds of chords use less fingers than standard chords played on acoustic use.

Don’t Miss Out on the Fun

Remember that both kinds of guitars are very similar in the way they are played. If guitar is something that seems really appealing just remember there is fun waiting to be had whether it is done on an acoustic guitar or an electric.