Making the decision to learn guitar can be a difficult one. Ultimately, it comes down to your budget and what type of music you wish to play. There’s no one-size-fits all solution; it all comes down to what works best for you personally.
No matter which guitar you begin with, make sure it’s fully adjusted for easy playability. This will make progress much smoother and increase your enjoyment of playing significantly.
1. It’s a lot quieter
Acoustic guitars are much simpler to play than electric guitars due to their smaller bodies, thinner necks and lighter gauge strings. This makes playing them faster without putting too much strain on your hands or wrists easy. Furthermore, this reduces string noise which may be an issue for new players.
Acoustic guitars produce a more organic sound than their electric counterparts, which can be advantageous when performing in public. Acoustics also have lower noise levels when playing in an occupied room, helping you avoid disturbing those trying to sleep nearby.
Acoustic guitars are particularly user-friendly due to the fact that they don’t need an amplifier to play. This makes them great for practicing at home, especially if you live in an apartment or don’t feel confident having an amp in your living room.
Although it may be harder to get a great sound out of an acoustic guitar at first, with practice comes more success. Plus, these instruments are much more portable which comes in handy if you’re traveling for work or taking your music along when taking vacations.
Acoustic guitars with pickups that can amplify their sound are great options for beginners. Unfortunately, these pickups may not always be intuitive to use and this could prove challenging when learning how to play.
If you’re practicing guitar at home, a load box can help keep the volume down. This simple device takes power from your amplifier and converts it to heat that then travels through your speaker cabinet to produce sound. While this method may sound slightly louder than plugging in your amplifier directly, it’s an ideal way to practice without disturbing neighbors.
There are a number of ways to make an acoustic guitar more quiet, such as using a clip-on microphone, changing strings or pick, or adjusting the room acoustics. These are just some of the options available and it all depends on how much volume you require during practice sessions.
2. It’s easier to play
Electric guitars produce their sound through electromagnetic pickups that literally “pick up” string vibrations and send them to an amplifier. This allows for louder volume levels than with acoustic guitars, making electric guitars ideal for people wanting to join bands or orchestras.
Acoustic guitars tend to be larger than their electric counterparts, which may make them a little difficult for beginners to adjust to. Furthermore, holding down acoustic strings when you’re new at playing can be more challenging as they tend to be thicker and have more tension than electric strings.
Another key distinction is the neck size. Acoustic guitar necks tend to be wide and fat, while electric guitar necks tend to be much thinner. This makes it easier for you to grip the instrument securely while getting your fingers around it.
As an electric guitarist, you have access to an expansive library of guitar effects to add to your music. These can range from natural acoustics to amplified sounds, so whatever suits your taste or musical style best.
Some acoustic guitarists prefer playing with an electric amplifier, as it helps them project their sound better and more evenly. However, this can be an expensive addition for beginners so it may be wise to start out with a cheaper acoustic first.
An amp allows guitarists to play at high volumes while still being heard over drums and bass in a band. Not only does this make learning how to play loudly easier, but it can save money too by reducing how often an extra amp needs to be purchased when performing in a group setting.
Playing a musical instrument has many benefits for your health and well-being. For instance, it can improve memory and cognitive development, boost grey matter, and sharpen concentration skills elsewhere in life. Furthermore, playing music increases creativity and stimulates imagination; it may have an immense effect on mental health by improving concentration and helping achieve what is known as “flow.”
3. It’s easier to learn
Playing an instrument requires discipline, hard work and commitment – just like any other skill you want to hone. But for music especially, these qualities are especially crucial.
Guitar playing can also be a form of self-expression that enhances your confidence and mental wellbeing in various ways. It may help you feel less anxious or stressed out, as well as provide you with an outlet through music to connect with others.
If you’re thinking about learning to play guitar, the first step is figuring out your desired genre of music. If you’re into Slipknot, an electric guitar might be more your style; on the other hand, if pop rock is more your jam then an acoustic guitar might do just fine.
Acoustic guitars tend to be smaller than electric guitars, making them easier for beginners to pick up and learn how to play. Plus, you don’t need an amplifier to hear the notes ring out on acoustic guitars – this helps develop your ear faster which is essential when learning how to play an electric guitar later on.
Acoustic guitars tend to be more affordable than electric ones when it comes to equipment costs. Since you don’t need amps or pedals for them to sound right, you’ll save money in the long run.
Additionally, guitars do not take up a lot of room for storage. This can be an advantage for people with limited space or who would rather keep their instruments out of sight.
Acoustic guitars also boast a quieter sound than their electric counterparts, making them ideal for those trying to learn an instrument without disturbing those around them in their home or workplace.
Acoustic guitar practice is much simpler than electric, as you don’t need an amplifier or pedal to hear the sounds produced. This makes it simpler for beginners to focus on technique and develop their skills more quickly.
It is essential to remember that while your efforts may not yield immediate results, your hard work will be rewarded with increased self-assurance and improved mental health. Furthermore, playing music and making music with friends and family will provide a fun outlet.
4. It’s easier to practice
Acoustic guitars are easier to learn than electric guitars since they require fewer strings and tend to be lighter in weight. Plus, their wider neck makes playing fingerstyle much simpler on an acoustic. However, you will need some additional skill and patience at first in order to master this instrument.
At the end of the day, it comes down to what you want from your guitar and if you have the patience and drive to learn. No matter which path you take, making a decision and learning to play will be an incredibly beneficial step in your musical journey!
One of the primary motivations people begin learning how to play guitar is their passion for music. They aspire to recreate songs they hear recorded or experiment with different styles of playing.
Another popular reason is they’ve seen amazing guitarists on TV and in music videos and they want to play like that too! If your dream is becoming a rock star then an electric guitar might be your best bet; however, if your taste runs more towards country, folk or metal then an acoustic may be more suitable.
Acoustic guitars are not only simpler to play, but they’re also cheaper. No need for amplification means no extra expense and the sound is much quieter – ideal if you don’t want anyone waking up around you at night!
This can be especially advantageous if you want to host a jam session in your living room without disturbing other family members. To prevent this, opt for an amplifier with low wattage so your music won’t be too loud.
Acoustic guitars are not only easier to practice, but they’re an excellent tool for improving concentration and discipline. Playing the guitar helps you enter ‘Flow’ (psychology), which can be useful when working on a project or writing that great song! Plus, research has proven that playing regularly strengthens grey matter in the brain by creating long-range connections between different areas. So why should you play? It’s scientific fact!