Should every guitarist start on an acoustic, even bound for electric?

Re: Should every guitarist start on an acoustic, even bound for electric?

Acoustic guitars are not something you "start" on.
Playing electric guitar is great.
Playing acoustic guitar is also great.
You can just play one or the other of course, but being proficient at makes you better at both for different reasons.
Get yourself an acoustic. Learn how to get the best out of it. It will make you a better electric player and a better musician more generally.
 
Re: Should every guitarist start on an acoustic, even bound for electric?

I think the acoustic thing is BS plain and simple.

If you want to play electric - learn electric. It really is that simple.

Now - I like acoustic, and I believe in my old age solo acoustic is way more entertaining to most people than any solo electric player.....

But like I said - learn what you want. That's like telling a football player they need to learn Judo first so they can fall/balance etc....BS
 
Re: Should every guitarist start on an acoustic, even bound for electric?

I say (as a teacher for the last 20 years) to buy the kind of guitar that makes you want to pick it up and play every day. At some point, you will own both an electric and an acoustic, but start on the one that gets you off.
 
Re: Should every guitarist start on an acoustic, even bound for electric?

You don't have to start on acoustic. Most people do as an electric setup costs WAY more and is often a poor financial option for a hobby/interest you may or may not continue.

I am firmly of the mind that acoustic is a way better teacher overall.......however for the absolute beginner an electric with its better setup and thinner/lower tension strings can be a better tool to make progress with.
Electric only players often get very sloppy with their technique.....and acoustic is certainly the best way of showing such flaws and practicing to be clean both with fingering and picking.
 
Re: Should every guitarist start on an acoustic, even bound for electric?

texred said:
Very cool. Squeezebox? I love accordions.
Click to expand...

Concertina, I can sorta mess around with (though I would not go on stage with one). It's like the chord organ of squeeze boxes. Accordion, no. Not until I learn to play keyboard, anyhow.
 
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Re: Should every guitarist start on an acoustic, even bound for electric?

Sometimes I like to work on a manual typewriter. My boss makes faces when she walks by, but it sure does expose my sloppy technique and help me sharpen my skills.

I’m goofing. I don’t think you get to be Al Di Meola by only ever playing an electric with 9’s.
 
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Re: Should every guitarist start on an acoustic, even bound for electric?

As someone who plays both, I am glad that I started out with an acoustic instead of an electric.












It was much better for crooning to the chicks as a teenager…
 
Re: Should every guitarist start on an acoustic, even bound for electric?

My being somewhat a newb may give a different perspective than the guys on here that forgot just how difficult the guitar is. I play and learn many scales and stuff, and sometimes I feel like my hand is pinned down on the bridge for fear of string noise. When I play my acoustic, I feel it loosens up my strumming and just lets me play. Plus, I love the sound of an acoustic guitar ringing out in the air. Maybe thats why I never really play clean, I like my cleans to sound like an acoustic, not some amp. But thats just me. I think its a good idea to have both, but its not required. If you dont like your teacher, tell em moneys tight and you cant afford it if hes gettin on your nerves. Its supposed to be fun and your the boss, its your money.
 
Re: Should every guitarist start on an acoustic, even bound for electric?

Demanic said:
Well, if that's in reference to me, I'm proud to be a curmudgeon in training. I say the only things that I know to be correct, indeed. Which is not to say that there are other things which are also correct, but at this time I am unaware of.
But still, the "75" confuses me. I was born in '67.

Sent from my Alcatel_5044C using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

He is 75, Grasshopper. He also likes Lionel trains. Can you make the cut? He says you have to yell at kids to get off your lawn, too.

Well, I'm older than you, so you have to listen to both of us. A personal favorite/original, kid asks you if your dog bites, "Everything bites".
 
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Re: Should every guitarist start on an acoustic, even bound for electric?

Jimi Hendrix started his guitar playing with a broom, later moved up to a one string ukulele. That process seemed to work out pretty well.
 
Re: Should every guitarist start on an acoustic, even bound for electric?

Ben1962 said:
My being somewhat a newb may give a different perspective than the guys on here that forgot just how difficult the guitar is. I play and learn many scales and stuff, and sometimes I feel like my hand is pinned down on the bridge for fear of string noise. When I play my acoustic, I feel it loosens up my strumming and just lets me play. Plus, I love the sound of an acoustic guitar ringing out in the air. Maybe thats why I never really play clean, I like my cleans to sound like an acoustic, not some amp. But thats just me. I think its a good idea to have both, but its not required. If you dont like your teacher, tell em moneys tight and you cant afford it if hes gettin on your nerves. Its supposed to be fun and your the boss, its your money.
Click to expand...

Free is my top dollar.

What money?
 
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Re: Should every guitarist start on an acoustic, even bound for electric?

Little Pigbacon said:
Sometimes I like to work on a manual typewriter. My boss makes faces when she walks by, but it sure does expose my sloppy technique and help me sharpen my skills.

I’m goofing. I don’t think you get to be Al Di Meola by only ever playing an electric with 9’s.
Click to expand...

Just for a short period of time. Don't think I'll get stuck there!!

Yeah, I know. I don't think JJ Cale would mind, though.

Got 10s on the LP, should I feel the need.
 
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Re: Should every guitarist start on an acoustic, even bound for electric?

Mincer said:
I say (as a teacher for the last 20 years) to buy the kind of guitar that makes you want to pick it up and play every day. At some point, you will own both an electric and an acoustic, but start on the one that gets you off.
Click to expand...

This x100. Used to say this all the time to parents when I worked at the store. They just assumed acoustic was the way to go. I also like to throw in how playability tends to be easier on electric vs acoustic (mind you I'd always string up their acoustics with 10s), and the smaller body size helps keep things comfortable from the start.
 
Re: Should every guitarist start on an acoustic, even bound for electric?

justFred said:
Jimi Hendrix started his guitar playing with a broom, later moved up to a one string ukulele. That process seemed to work out pretty well.
Click to expand...

Being Jimi Hendrix probably worked out for him pretty well, too.
 
Re: Should every guitarist start on an acoustic, even bound for electric?

To OP- unequivocally YES..primarily the study of the acoustic instrument would be the prerequisite for advancement to electrified instruments.(ideally concurrent with you electric spanish or solid body electric guitar study). An an electrically amplified acoustic guitar is fine.
 
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Re: Should every guitarist start on an acoustic, even bound for electric?

Past a certain point, they don't have much to do with each other, even though most guitarists learn both.
 
Re: Should every guitarist start on an acoustic, even bound for electric?

I started on an old Stella Tenor guitar in 1965, age 14. Then a Lyle classic guitar. My first electric was a c. 1960 Fender Duo-Sonic , with a Kalamazoo Model Two amp. Then got a Harmony Sovereign Jumbo. So I've played both, almost since the beginning.

There are advantages to both electric and acoustic as first guitars. I often recommend a baritone uke for 9-10 year olds to start on.

One thing about learning on an electric...I think it is a mistake for a beginner to play with distortion. I think it is important for beginners to play clean and learn how to produce good tone and hear if your intonation is correct. Good technique transfers when you want to play with distortion. The electric is probably easier to play; the acoustic builds hand strength.

Part of my preference is because I am a singer who plays guitar to accompany my voice.

I believe players should have both acoustic and electric guitars. The acoustic comes in in handy when you want to serenade your lover, or provide some entertainment at a party. Electric guitar isn't much use at the beach, contrary to those old Fender guitar ads. My old D-18 and my D-28 Martins saw me through some of the best times of my life, and they were there helping me survive the worst days, too. Can't see a pointy metal guitar doing that. The 28's been with me every day for 40 years.

No matter what kind of guitar you learn on, the most important thing is to put your heart and soul into every note you play and sing. Do that, and you'll succeed.

Bill
 
Re: Should every guitarist start on an acoustic, even bound for electric?

I.play each one differently

Naw I suck on the acoustic just as much as the electric or a bass

If you wanna start on electric that's fine
I would suggest headphones and a drum loop for timing
 
Re: Should every guitarist start on an acoustic, even bound for electric?

ehdwuld said:
I.play each one differently

Naw I suck on the acoustic just as much as the electric or a bass

If you wanna start on electric that's fine
I would suggest headphones and a drum loop for timing
Click to expand...

Thanks. Great plan. Went through many metronomes learning piano, the way people go through cell phones, etc. Thanks, Ehd-I even have both. And Williams Legato 88 sounds like a synthesizer to me. I don't mess with it, but I will when it comes metronome time.
 
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