If you are looking to learn the guitar the first question you are likely to ask yourself is whether to buy an electric or acoustic Guitar. There're of course pro's and con's of learning on both. What it really comes down to is personal preference.
Acoustic Guitar
A great acoustic guitarist can make playing the acoustic guitar sound like an art form. If you don't believe us go on to YouTube and listen to some Spanish Flamenco. Those guys don't need sound effects or the help of an amp – it's just pure self expression.
Pro's
Con's
- Acoustic Guitars are generally cheaper to buy.
- You can play it anywhere. No need for an amp.
- Perfect for folk and classical songs.
- Most songs start as acoustic strum meaning you call play all types.
- You can play acoustic guitar on your own.
- Its easier to practice with.
- People are less likely to complain about the noise.
- If you have ambitions to play rock you may quickly get bored by the gentle sound of an acoustic.
- The strings and fret board are not so easy on the fingers as an electric and you will feel pain at the beginning.
- On the plus side you fingers will quickly develop the callouses needed to hold down those notes.
- Needs more care and attention than an electric guitar.
Electric Guitar
Loud, edgy and rebellious – the electric guitar is one if not the most attractive instruments to play in music, and one of the easiest ways to become a musician. At least at the beginning. All it takes is a couple of chords and a trademark solo; the screech of the electric will do the rest.
Pro's
Con's
- Perfect for rock and metal and all that fast intense music that is so fun to play.
- There is so much information on how to play the electric guitar and the people that play it
- For some reason people deem electric guitar players as so much more important.
- From distortion to feedback, you can do a lot more with an electric guitar than you can do with an acoustic
- You are more likely to get in a band if you play an electric guitar than if you play an acoustic
- Requires an amp to play. You can't just take it on an camping trip and you can't just hook it up and practice
- Mostly limits you to playing rock music.
Acoustic Vs. Electric Guitars
Choosing between an electric or acoustic guitar depends simply on the type of music you want to play and the type of musician you want to become. However, you don't necessarily have to choose between them. Most musicians will in fact buy both. What comes to mind when you think of Paul McCartney coming up with an idea for song? For most I would suggest it's him sitting at home strumming it out on an acoustic. He may perform it on the electric guitar on the the stage, but it starts life as an acoustic song.
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