Why are acoustics so much harder to play than electrics?
- Thread starter danny458
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Re: Why are acoustics so much harder to play than electrics?
acoustics typically have heavier strings, bigger necks and higher actions. not to mention the body is thicker and other ergonomic factors. that said, you can get a thin bodied acoustic with a small neck, setup for low action and light strings and it should play almost like an electric. it also will sound pretty different than a martin d28 with 13's
acoustics typically have heavier strings, bigger necks and higher actions. not to mention the body is thicker and other ergonomic factors. that said, you can get a thin bodied acoustic with a small neck, setup for low action and light strings and it should play almost like an electric. it also will sound pretty different than a martin d28 with 13's
RogerMexiko
New member
Re: Why are acoustics so much harder to play than electrics?
I find acoustic guitars much easier to play. With an acoustic you can get a fairly good sounding tune put together with the guitar alone. The acoustic (a qualifier - a good quality guitar) will give you a solid full tone and work with minimal accompaniment. An electric guitar on the other hand requires more finesse to get a nice full tone working with the guitar and amplifier. In addition a lone electric guitar takes a high level of skill to be able to perform without any accompaniment. I guess I might have missed the point huh?
I find acoustic guitars much easier to play. With an acoustic you can get a fairly good sounding tune put together with the guitar alone. The acoustic (a qualifier - a good quality guitar) will give you a solid full tone and work with minimal accompaniment. An electric guitar on the other hand requires more finesse to get a nice full tone working with the guitar and amplifier. In addition a lone electric guitar takes a high level of skill to be able to perform without any accompaniment. I guess I might have missed the point huh?
MkIII Renegade
New member
Re: Why are acoustics so much harder to play than electrics?
There are some speedy modern ones out there. Single-note speed traditionally wasn't needed for American guitarists, just tone and projection.
I've always wanted to try an Ovation Al Di Meola model, and some of the more modern Breedloves..
There are some speedy modern ones out there. Single-note speed traditionally wasn't needed for American guitarists, just tone and projection.
I've always wanted to try an Ovation Al Di Meola model, and some of the more modern Breedloves..
Securb
One of Jerry's Kids
Re: Why are acoustics so much harder to play than electrics?
I play an Ibanez Euphoria with 10s. The guitar has an electric sized neck and thin body. It is an amazing sounding guitar and plays as good and effortlesly as my Les Paul.
I play an Ibanez Euphoria with 10s. The guitar has an electric sized neck and thin body. It is an amazing sounding guitar and plays as good and effortlesly as my Les Paul.
RogerMexiko
New member
Re: Why are acoustics so much harder to play than electrics?
That is an excellent point. I have seen so many kids start off with one of those packages that provide electric guitar, amp, strap...What happens is the kid starts with the little instruction book, learns a couple of chords then finds its more fun and easier to just play with Distortion, reverb, flanger and so on and make noise and forget about playing then of course loose interest all together.
That is an excellent point. I have seen so many kids start off with one of those packages that provide electric guitar, amp, strap...What happens is the kid starts with the little instruction book, learns a couple of chords then finds its more fun and easier to just play with Distortion, reverb, flanger and so on and make noise and forget about playing then of course loose interest all together.
VinceT
New member
Re: Why are acoustics so much harder to play than electrics?
For me, it's not that acoustics are harder to play, it comes down to treating them as different (though related) instruments.
My lead playing changes on acoustic - less bend and hold/sustain, more note choice and in-place vibrato. Lead on acoustic also demands fretboard knowledge for me because sticking in one position/box soon becomes boring.
I play 11-49 standard tuning on all my electrics, so medium acoustic strings aren't that much different.
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For me, it's not that acoustics are harder to play, it comes down to treating them as different (though related) instruments.
My lead playing changes on acoustic - less bend and hold/sustain, more note choice and in-place vibrato. Lead on acoustic also demands fretboard knowledge for me because sticking in one position/box soon becomes boring.
I play 11-49 standard tuning on all my electrics, so medium acoustic strings aren't that much different.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
ehdwuld
A Ficus
Re: Why are acoustics so much harder to play than electrics?
I play extra lights on my Martin and beater APX
they sound fine
I love working out tunes one my box guitars
then laying out the arrangements with barre chords on the electrics
they do take on a different energy with the electrics, more powerful and fun
the acoustic versions are softer, the lyrics are more intimate and immediate
I play extra lights on my Martin and beater APX
they sound fine
I love working out tunes one my box guitars
then laying out the arrangements with barre chords on the electrics
they do take on a different energy with the electrics, more powerful and fun
the acoustic versions are softer, the lyrics are more intimate and immediate
Vasshu the humanoid typhoon
Unseen
Re: Why are acoustics so much harder to play than electrics?
Hmm they are hard to play, because you actually need to play them!
They are not harder, just a different beast, and it requires you to really dig in.
But it also rewards effort.
I have played 12 and 13 gauge strings since I was a kid, eventually you learn to play relaxed and with some degree of profiency.
Most complain about the effort you need to cook up, it is not an instant gratification.
Also find a guitar that you like the sound of, that gives you a feel that inspires you!
It may be alittle stiffer and harder to coax some good sound out of, but in the long run it is a rewarding experience!
Hmm they are hard to play, because you actually need to play them!
They are not harder, just a different beast, and it requires you to really dig in.
But it also rewards effort.
I have played 12 and 13 gauge strings since I was a kid, eventually you learn to play relaxed and with some degree of profiency.
Most complain about the effort you need to cook up, it is not an instant gratification.
Also find a guitar that you like the sound of, that gives you a feel that inspires you!
It may be alittle stiffer and harder to coax some good sound out of, but in the long run it is a rewarding experience!
DrNewcenstein
He Did the Monster Mash
Re: Why are acoustics so much harder to play than electrics?
Build up with a nylon-string classical. You get the thicker strings and fatter neck but about the same string tension as an electric, and it's easier to transition to a steel-string acoustic.
Godin made some nylons under the LaPatrie brand that are well-made and sound great.
Build up with a nylon-string classical. You get the thicker strings and fatter neck but about the same string tension as an electric, and it's easier to transition to a steel-string acoustic.
Godin made some nylons under the LaPatrie brand that are well-made and sound great.
nsnate02
Member
Re: Why are acoustics so much harder to play than electrics?
I started on acoustic and still play mine the most. An electric is far more forgiving when chording and gives more sound (with amp) with a lot less effort and a lot of sloppy playing actually sounds "right". Especially when distorted.
The acoustic you have to be pretty clean and more precise all the while using more effort.
Bar chords, for instance, on acoustic are generally harder and you tend to hear all your misses and strings you didn't quite get clean.
I started on acoustic and still play mine the most. An electric is far more forgiving when chording and gives more sound (with amp) with a lot less effort and a lot of sloppy playing actually sounds "right". Especially when distorted.
The acoustic you have to be pretty clean and more precise all the while using more effort.
Bar chords, for instance, on acoustic are generally harder and you tend to hear all your misses and strings you didn't quite get clean.
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EDX
New member
Re: Why are acoustics so much harder to play than electrics?
string gauge wise there's no prob, i've done 12 to 65 on electric on standard E (25.5 scale), i'm also of the school of thinking that if you want to play electric learn on electric, if you want acoustic learn on acoustic, as they're very different yet similar instruments, they have 6 strings, frets and are tuned similarly, out of that they're different the technique is very different
for an electric player it is harder to play acoustic as they think electric and try to translate it, while for an acoustic player electric can be more difficult
the finesse, acoustic always need finesse, you can hardly find an acoustic player that has no finesse, but you can often find electric players with the same finesse as a hungry t-rex and the same pick attack as a caveman trying to smash a bone yet they can really rip on the board
string gauge wise there's no prob, i've done 12 to 65 on electric on standard E (25.5 scale), i'm also of the school of thinking that if you want to play electric learn on electric, if you want acoustic learn on acoustic, as they're very different yet similar instruments, they have 6 strings, frets and are tuned similarly, out of that they're different the technique is very different
for an electric player it is harder to play acoustic as they think electric and try to translate it, while for an acoustic player electric can be more difficult
the finesse, acoustic always need finesse, you can hardly find an acoustic player that has no finesse, but you can often find electric players with the same finesse as a hungry t-rex and the same pick attack as a caveman trying to smash a bone yet they can really rip on the board
Re: Why are acoustics so much harder to play than electrics?
I think there are plenty of acoustics that are really easy to play- or can be made easy to play.
Every performance I do with acoustic requires it to be plugged in, so for me the plugged in sound and playability is most important. I also tend to process the acoustic sound as well, so it doesn't matter if I am using 11s or even 10s on it.
I think there are plenty of acoustics that are really easy to play- or can be made easy to play.
Every performance I do with acoustic requires it to be plugged in, so for me the plugged in sound and playability is most important. I also tend to process the acoustic sound as well, so it doesn't matter if I am using 11s or even 10s on it.
Lewguitar
New member
Re: Why are acoustics so much harder to play than electrics?
I play Taylors and Blueridge acoustics. One is a Dread and the rest are OM's.
I'm partial to the smaller bodied OM's. Easier to get my right arm around and more comfortable to hold and to play.
The action is higher on my acoustics because I can't get away with any fret buzz on an acoustic.
A solid body electric through a distorted amp (which seems to be the way most guys play) will hide a multiple of sins: fret buzz, sloppy technique, etc.
But with no distortion to cover up slop, you have make the action a bit higher and stiffer on an acoustic to get a "good" sound.
Makes them harder to play but that's the way the world works.
I play Taylors and Blueridge acoustics. One is a Dread and the rest are OM's.
I'm partial to the smaller bodied OM's. Easier to get my right arm around and more comfortable to hold and to play.
The action is higher on my acoustics because I can't get away with any fret buzz on an acoustic.
A solid body electric through a distorted amp (which seems to be the way most guys play) will hide a multiple of sins: fret buzz, sloppy technique, etc.
But with no distortion to cover up slop, you have make the action a bit higher and stiffer on an acoustic to get a "good" sound.
Makes them harder to play but that's the way the world works.
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DeadandBuried
New member
Re: Why are acoustics so much harder to play than electrics?
Different strings, electric strings are softer and the size of the guitar, acoustic guitars are more chunky with a thicker neck.
Different strings, electric strings are softer and the size of the guitar, acoustic guitars are more chunky with a thicker neck.
DavidRavenMoon
New member
Re: Why are acoustics so much harder to play than electrics?
I'm a bass player as well as a guitarist. I have a gig next week where I'll be playing songs normally played on electric guitar on a Fender acoustic (I'm the guitarist in this band). As much as I'm accustomed to heavier bass strings, I find the acoustic hurts my left hand when playing certain things. The main reason is the heavier strings with higher tension. I use 9s on my guitars. This acoustic has 11s. The lightest strings I can find for acoustics are 10s, unless I use half of a 12-string set.
And yes, the action is a bit higher.
But there are some very easy to play acoustics, like a Taylor.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I'm a bass player as well as a guitarist. I have a gig next week where I'll be playing songs normally played on electric guitar on a Fender acoustic (I'm the guitarist in this band). As much as I'm accustomed to heavier bass strings, I find the acoustic hurts my left hand when playing certain things. The main reason is the heavier strings with higher tension. I use 9s on my guitars. This acoustic has 11s. The lightest strings I can find for acoustics are 10s, unless I use half of a 12-string set.
And yes, the action is a bit higher.
But there are some very easy to play acoustics, like a Taylor.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
