Can I Start Directly With an Electric Guitar?
You can definitely start by playing the electric guitar first over the acoustic guitar if you would like to do so. There is no requirement to first start playing an acoustic guitar.
Remember that regardless of whether you decide to start with an electric guitar or an acoustic guitar first, it is still a guitar. You will still need to dedicate time and energy to learning and practicing the instrument.
Keep in mind that you are still learning the same chords, notes, and rhythms when you are playing an acoustic guitar or an electric guitar. Therefore, you do not need to learn to play one before the other.
Having said that, many guitarists find an electric guitar is more fun to play based on the accessories that come with it, such as amplifiers, pedals, preamps, and the volume it can create.
As a guitarist who has played both acoustic and electric guitars (and started with an electric guitar before playing an acoustic guitar), I can confirm that it is not necessary to first learn to play one before the other.
This article will also discuss when you should start learning the electric guitar. If it is hard to switch from acoustic to electric guitar or not, and if it is easier to play one type or another.
We will also go over inexpensive recommendations for an excellent electric and acoustic guitar to start with so that you can start playing as soon as possible.
Also Read: Learning Electric Guitar Without Acoustic First: My Advice
When Should You Start Learning Electric Guitar?
Its is up to you whenever you want to learn electric guitar
You can start learning electric guitar whenever you want to. There is no need to wait and you don’t have to learn the acoustic guitar first. When playing the electric guitar, you are still learning the same things you would learn playing an acoustic guitar, such as the same strings, notes, chords, time signatures, etc.
One advantage of learning the electric guitar first is that you can experiment with adding additional effects to your playing that the acoustic guitar simply does not offer. Example, distortion, reverbs and loops using pedals of audio interface.
Also read: Is Audio Interface Better Than Amp: Differences & Sound Quality
These additional accessories in electric guitar include whammy bars, pickups, volume and tone knobs, effect pedals, etc. The good news is that it is much easier to learn about all the accessories and how to use them than it is to learn how to actually play the guitar.
An electric guitar is (in my opinion) more fun to play based on the volume you can play at and the rock and metal sound you can produce, which is not so quickly done with an acoustic guitar.
If you have already started on the acoustic guitar and are interested in switching over to the electric guitar, then you are already ahead of the game, so to speak. The actual playing skills are transferable.
Guitarists who start playing the acoustic guitar and then later switch over to playing the electric guitar may find it to be a bit of a different feeling when strumming and pressing against the fretboard to form their notes and chords.
Still, you can quickly get used to it with a bit of practice. Someone who is already playing acoustic will be way ahead of the learning curve than someone who is playing the electric guitar for the first time.
Many guitar players do play both the acoustic and electric guitar. These players (myself included) will go back and forth between the two depending on their mood and the type of sound they are going for.
Sometimes if you want to play loud and aggressively, you want to play an electric guitar. Sometimes, if you’re going to play in a more melodic and natural-sounding tone, you want to play an acoustic guitar.
Also Read: Playing Electric Guitar Without Pick: Is It Bad (Vs Finger)
Is It Hard to Switch From Acoustic to Electric Guitar?
It’s completely fine to shift from acoustic to electric guitar
No, Switching from acoustic to electric guitar is easy because both guitars have the same strings and notes. There is no need to learn new chords and notes when transferring from playing acoustic to electric (or vice versa).
Some people feel the acoustic guitar is less sensitive regarding the action and the required amount of pressure to press down and play various types of notes and chords.
Therefore, some guitar players may find it easier to play an electric guitar over an acoustic guitar. With just a little practice, any difference in the feel of the strings and the fretboard is easy to overcome once you get used to the subtle differences.
Many guitarists who want to switch from the acoustic to the electric guitar, often find it much easier to actually play the electric guitar due to its sensitivity and ability to create a loud volume without having to strum or pluck the strings with a great deal of force.
This is, of course, due to playing through an amplifier which will help create a much higher volume than you would get just playing an acoustic guitar alone.
The hardest part of transitioning from an acoustic guitar to an electric guitar (for guitarists who do not consider themselves tech-savvy) is learning how to set up pedals, adjust their amplifiers, and set up the electrical accessories for playing an electric guitar comes with.
However, once you have set up your electric guitar a few times and found the proper settings that work for you, it is really not very challenging to get used to it.
Is It Easier to Learn Electric or Acoustic Guitar?
It is easier to learn to play the acoustic guitar first simply because there is no need to know about using amplifiers, pedals, and all of the other accessories that an electric guitar will come with. There is no difference in the actual skill of playing the guitar.
Some people prefer to learn acoustic guitar first, simply because there is no need to incorporate any other effects to alter the sound of your playing. There is also no need to learn about amplifiers, pedals, or using a whammy bar that many electric guitars have.
Having said that, many guitarists find the electric guitar easier to play. This is due to electric guitars being more sensitive and not needing to strum as hard to create a loud volume.
However, remember that an average guitar player will still sound average regardless of playing an acoustic or electric guitar. The accessories that come with an electric guitar will help create different effects for your playing but will not make you a better guitar player. Therefore, both require practice and dedication.
While acoustic and electric guitars are very similar, you do not need to learn different chords, notes, timing signatures and rhythms are the same, etc. There is no requirement to learn about pickups, whammy bars, amplifiers, and pedals the way you do with an electric guitar.
Regardless of which instrument you choose to learn first (acoustic guitar or electric guitar), I would suggest considering practicing with a metronome. This will make you a much better guitar player overall when you can keep a rhythm and a tempo. Most smartphones will have the option to download a very inexpensive or free metronome.
That said, the electric guitar is easier to play because it’s sensitive; you don’t need to press the strings too hard or don’t need to strum too hard. The amp will make the volume loud.
Recommended Guitar For Beginners
Both of these recommendations are just options. There are a lot of great introductory instruments for both an acoustic and an electric guitar.
I suggest starting with an inexpensive instrument if you are just beginning to play since the focus should be on learning and perfecting your playing ability. An expensive guitar, either acoustic or electric, will not help if you are not a skilled player.
1. Best Beginner Acoustic Guitar
The Fender CD-60 Dreadnaught is a great acoustic guitar for beginners and even come with a cool looking black colour!
Acoustic guitars are priced based on their construction, the material the neck is made of, the material the wood is made of, and the brand name.
It is not necessary to spend a great deal of money on an acoustic guitar when first learning to play as the primary goal for a beginner should be to learn how to actually play the instrument.
Once you have developed your skill set, you can choose to upgrade to a higher-quality acoustic guitar if you find that you like the tone and sound of it better.
2. Best Beginner Electric Guitar
The LyxPro Electric Guitar Set is an excellent choice for beginners. The pack includes the guitar, an amplifier, a tuner, a gig bag, and a cable to plug the guitar into the amplifier, a guitar strap, and a gig bag (to carry the guitar).
As a beginner, you shouldn’t spend lots of money on electric guitars and the equipment – just go for a set product that comes with everything. As with a beginner acoustic guitar, you can upgrade to a more powerful amplifier and a more expensive electric guitar anytime.
FAQs
Q: Should I Learn Normal (Acoustic) Guitar Before Electric?
You don’t have to learn normal guitar first before acoustic – just learn whichever you are interested in. Many guitarists feel that the acoustic guitar is easier to learn since there is no need to know about guitar amplifiers and sound effects the electric guitar comes with. Many guitarists think the actual electric guitar is easier to play due to its heightened sensitivity.
The best way to make this decision is to ask yourself, which style of music do you prefer? If you want to play hard rock, heavy metal, or punk, or you want to play a style of music where you will be playing in a loud band, then I would suggest starting with an electric guitar (you will also, learn about sound engineering and how to incorporate effects into your playing sooner than if you start learning electric over acoustic).
If, on the other hand, however, you admire the type of music where it is a solo player with a more natural melodic tone, then you may want to consider playing the acoustic first. The answer to this question ultimately depends on your preference.
I recommend deciding to play the acoustic guitar or electric guitar first based on what style you like the most since the more you like that style, the more likely you will practice regularly.
Making your decision based on what style you prefer and are most passionate about will make you more likely to continue practicing and improving. You will also have more fun and enjoy the process more this way.
Q: Can I Learn Electric Guitar Before Acoustic?
You can learn to play the electric guitar before the acoustic guitar. The playing skills are transferable. If you know basic chords, notes, and rhythms, then the skills you learned playing the electric guitar will transfer to playing the acoustic guitar. Acoustic guitars and electric guitars are both still guitars, after all.
One advantage of learning the electric guitar first is developing an additional sound engineering skill (at least at an introduction level).
Learning how to arrange other accessories that the electric guitar comes with, such as an amp, preamp, and pedals, organizing all these accessories, etc.
Q: Can I Play Electric Guitar if I Know Acoustic?
If you already know how to play the acoustic guitar, you can also absolutely play the electric guitar. The same skills of playing the guitar, such as chords, notes, etc. will transfer over.
A guitar player who regularly plays the acoustic guitar that is just starting on an electric guitar will have the advantage of already knowing how to play the instrument.
They will also be able to add other elements to their guitar playing, such as a whammy bar and knobs on the electric guitar to help control volume and tone.
There is also the added element of an amplifier and other accessories to alter your sound and tone, such as foot pedals.
Conclusion
We discussed whether you can start with an electric guitar or not. And when to start learning the electric guitar. We went over recommendations for beginner guitars for both acoustic and electric.
We discussed the process of switching from one instrument to the other and which is easier to learn first, and we also went over frequently asked questions such as should I learn the acoustic guitar before the electric, can I play electric guitar before acoustic, and can I play electric guitar if I already play the acoustic guitar?
