Topic: Best way to start learning guitar: acoustic or electric

The acoustic guitar is the best way to learn how to play guitar, just "natural", you play with an instrument that is difficult. You can hear every wrong note. BUT playing electric, you can camouflage mistakes, using huge distortion. DON'T FORGET THE MOST IMPORTANT THING PLAYING IN A BAND: " THE RYTHM SECTION: BASS DRUM" they are the most important members of the band, but also the most UNDERESTIMATED <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_biggrin.gif" border=0 alt="Very Happy">  <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_cool.gif" border=0 alt="Cool">

[color=blue]- GITAARDOCPHIL SAIS: TO CONQUER DEAD, YOU HAVE TO DIE[/color]   AND [color=blue] we are born to die[/color]
- MY GUITAR PLAYS EVERY STYLE = BLUES, ROCK, METAL, so I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY IT.
[color=blue]Civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock.[/color]

Re: Best way to start learning guitar: acoustic or electric

Acustic is the best way to learn, if you get an electric first, and like you said, is camaflages mistakes, so once you learn guitar, you wont be half as good, unless you learn with an acustic.


BUTTTT then, once you learn acustic you can go out and buy a electric!! <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_twisted.gif" border=0 alt="Twisted Evil">


rock-on!

ovation93

Re: Best way to start learning guitar: acoustic or electric

Good point "Ovation 93", thats what I have been trying to tell these very stubborn people all along!

DJ Cormier
[url=http://www.bigdjindustriez.tk]www.bigdjindustriez.tk[/url]
myspace.com/bigdjindustriez

Re: Best way to start learning guitar: acoustic or electric

i think some people reading this might be slightly(very slightly)biased towards acoustic as this is on the acoustic forum. in fact, i really have no idea why im here because i play electric. however, i would just like to say in reply to the previous posts ,which said that electric guitar camoflauges mistakes because of the distortion, that electric guitarists dont have distortion on all the time. in fact, distortion really messes up some songs and when im learning a song i usually dont use my amp at first so i cant use distortion.


Just thought id tell you acoustic players <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_smile.gif" border=0 alt="Smile">

12345abcd3

Re: Best way to start learning guitar: acoustic or electric

Hello!

I've been into the thougt "learn on an accoustic" too. Own both an accoustic and an electric, and im starting to shift a bit on that idea (for some of the stuff you try to learn). I use my accoustic 80-90% of the time and I still think thats the one that give me more finger strength and harder finger tips.


BUT I'm now struggling with the for ever discussed barred chords, and I must say that there is a point in learning the grips on the softer electric strings. Once I've learned the chord grips and shifts it's easy to take them to the accoustic.


This way is faster (and less frustrating) then strugling with them on the accoustic.


So my point is: Get your hand strength up (by playing or physical training) then you can play whatever guitar you like, you will be able to play an accoustic good (maybe with some sore fingers...)


/Missen

If you love what you do, there's no need to be good at it...

Re: Best way to start learning guitar: acoustic or electric

As someone who learnned on an electric to begin with and now plays both, I feel it really depends on your musical goals. If you want to play Segovia's greatest hits then I recomend a good classical guitar. It has its own techneque, sound and feel which will be used in most of what you are wanting to play. If you want to be the next Robert Johnson then you would be better off learnning on an accoustic for the same reasons. If you want to play in the best Slayer cover band ever then why spend your time learning to use an instrument that you won't be using? You may as well be a body man starting with oil painting classes and then moving on to spray gun. Enough ranting I suppose. My point is, start on the instrument that is appropriat for the music you want to make. And if you are very serious and financially able, learn on both together. <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_cool.gif" border=0 alt="Cool">

"Nobody paints by ear so why would I play guitar by sight?" hmm

Re: Best way to start learning guitar: acoustic or electric

Hi can u help me ?  I have never changed the strings

on my guitar, now 2 years old..

Now having read about elixir strings, i would like to try them.

Im afraid to try in case i make a complete Ass of it !!

what tips have you ?

I have located a store in Dublin Ireland who stocks them.


What gauge would i ask for ?


Thank you,


Old Doll.

Why Blend in with the Crowd ? When you were made to stand out !

Re: Best way to start learning guitar: acoustic or electric

10s are pretty middle of the road. I say try them and if you don't care for them use a different brand. bigdjindustriez really seem to like them as do several others.Not to tell you your bussiness but you should really change your strings a bit more often. I change mine aboutevery three months on my electric and a bit more often than that on my accustic. Also go ahead and wipe down your guitars body and neck and fretboard while you have it unstung.

"Nobody paints by ear so why would I play guitar by sight?" hmm

Re: Best way to start learning guitar: acoustic or electric

Thank you for the info on strings !


I had no idea,they should be changed so ofton ?

thats on my to do list this week.


If it was a five course meal id have no problem !,


but this is all so new to me ?


I am learning so much from this site ,its fantastic.


Ps. I never have a problem with constructive advice


Keep sending it this way!.


Slan

Old Doll

Why Blend in with the Crowd ? When you were made to stand out !

Re: Best way to start learning guitar: acoustic or electric

Youre welcome and don't be shy. Thats why we are all here is to help eachother <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_smile.gif" border=0 alt="Smile">

"Nobody paints by ear so why would I play guitar by sight?" hmm

Re: Best way to start learning guitar: acoustic or electric

I realized the other day that my electric sounds like a piece of sh*t and I hate it, so I ripped the machine heads off it and fixed my acoustic which had screwed up machine heads <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_smile.gif" border=0 alt="Smile">  After I was done with that, I ripped the pick guard off the electric, cut all the wires inside the body, smashed it against the wall, took the neck off and put the body through my table saw <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_smile.gif" border=0 alt="Smile">  looks like I won't be playing a solid body electric again...thank god.  peace

DJ Cormier
[url=http://www.bigdjindustriez.tk]www.bigdjindustriez.tk[/url]
myspace.com/bigdjindustriez

Re: Best way to start learning guitar: acoustic or electric

Hi Old Doll!

Check this link (on changing strings):


<a href="http://guitar.about.com/library/weekly/aachangingstringsa.htm" target="_blank"> http://guitar.about.com/library/weekly/ … tringsa.ht m</a>


About how often to change its totaly up to you. My advice is not to change until you, yourself notice something about your old strings that bother you (dull sound, rusty or dirty etc).


I changed strings just because everyone recommends it. I have changed 3 times now in 1,5 month and I'm strating to realize I will never get the great sound back that my factory strings gave me...


/Missen

If you love what you do, there's no need to be good at it...

Re: Best way to start learning guitar: acoustic or electric

Have you thought about taking up grand piano BigDjin?


Not heard it's easy to play but I'd just like to hear how you destruct it!

'The sound of the city seems to disappear'

Re: Best way to start learning guitar: acoustic or electric

<table border="0" align="center" width="90%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td class="SmallText"><b>petermiss wrote on Wed, 04 April 2007 11&#58;21</b></td></tr><tr><td class="quote">
Hello!

I've been into the thougt "learn on an accoustic" too. Own both an accoustic and an electric, and im starting to shift a bit on that idea (for some of the stuff you try to learn). I use my accoustic 80-90% of the time and I still think thats the one that give me more finger strength and harder finger tips.


BUT I'm now struggling with the for ever discussed barred chords, and I must say that there is a point in learning the grips on the softer electric strings. Once I've learned the chord grips and shifts it's easy to take them to the accoustic.


This way is faster (and less frustrating) then strugling with them on the accoustic.


So my point is: Get your hand strength up (by playing or physical training) then you can play whatever guitar you like, you will be able to play an accoustic good (maybe with some sore fingers...)


/Missen
</td></tr></table>


My wife has an electric guitar. I find that the technique you mention worked well for me too.

Re: Best way to start learning guitar: acoustic or electric

Hi Dwvallace!

I recently found another usefull area for my electric. I have a 4 year old son that goes to sleep early, and after that the accoustic is too noicy (and thats the best time to practise). Now I get my electric and play it "unplugged". I can clearly hear the notes/chords but I dont risk waking the little man...


/Missen

If you love what you do, there's no need to be good at it...

Re: Best way to start learning guitar: acoustic or electric

Hi Petermiss,

thank you for the link,for changing strings, very informative..

I do feel they are a little Tacky when playing.

My first guitar had all nylon strings ! some how i liked the sound more ?

Or did i just get used to it ?  my new one has 3 of each type.

It Makes a completely different sound or is it me !!! come on all

u experts explain !

Thanks Pete.


Old Doll

Why Blend in with the Crowd ? When you were made to stand out !

Re: Best way to start learning guitar: acoustic or electric

Dont Know why your post made me laugh so much ?.

You sounded like someone possessed !!!

Relax ! B vitamin complex is good for that feeling !

But thanks for the visual....So glad im not your neighbour >


Old Doll.

Why Blend in with the Crowd ? When you were made to stand out !

Re: Best way to start learning guitar: acoustic or electric

what good is life if one can't get pissed off once in awhile? And no I'm not going to take up the piano, I can play the guitar just fine, I just hate solid body electrics.  Hollow bodies are fine, but anyways.  Glad I could make someone laugh at my misery

DJ Cormier
[url=http://www.bigdjindustriez.tk]www.bigdjindustriez.tk[/url]
myspace.com/bigdjindustriez

Re: Best way to start learning guitar: acoustic or electric

i started out playing acoustic and picked up an electric and seemed easier.  I am glad I learned on acoustic.

Re: Best way to start learning guitar: acoustic or electric

My Tanglewood is a metal string accoustic (my finger tips is like glass by now). I think the metal strings have a brighter crisper sound than the nylons. With that I don't mean the nylons sounds bad, they just have a more subtle ring to them. I suppose you can compare it to banging on a metal rod or a plastic, diffrent sounds...


I havn't seen any nylon guitars with all strings nylon (except some small children guitars). I think its more common with 3 nylons and 3 wound metal strings. One probable cause they use metals for the bass strings could be that the nylons would have to be thick (and hard to handle) to produce the bass tones.


All thoughts no facts...  <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_razz.gif" border=0 alt="Razz">


/Missen

If you love what you do, there's no need to be good at it...

Re: Best way to start learning guitar: acoustic or electric

<div class="pre"><pre></pre></div><font face="Courier"><font color="red"><font size="5">Happy Birthday !</font></font></font>


Old Doll.

Why Blend in with the Crowd ? When you were made to stand out !

Re: Best way to start learning guitar: acoustic or electric

Thanks...

My wife and son came in with a gift this morning (that my 4 yaer old son opened befor I was awake...). The gift was a bottle of 16 year old Lagavullin single malt whiskey. I LOVE MY WIFE. Tonight will be a beer in one hand a whiskey in the other and the guitar (and wife) in between....  <img src="images/smiley_icons/icon_twisted.gif" border=0 alt="Twisted Evil">

/Missen

If you love what you do, there's no need to be good at it...

Re: Best way to start learning guitar: acoustic or electric

Who cares what type of guitar that you learn on, acoustic or electric. Just learn how to play. As you develope an taste for tonal structures and learn what sounds you can get from either guitar than choose. No one wins in a pissing contest you both get wet!


Bootlegger.

Re: Best way to start learning guitar: acoustic or electric

It depends... if you think your comfortable reaching over with an acoustic guitar or if you like to have a thin electric. You should go to a guitar store and try both out and see what you like better. Scince you asked what is the best way to start playing then i would agree with gitaardocphil.

Re: Best way to start learning guitar: acoustic or electric

That confirms my opinion. You can even plug a headphone to play silent electric guitar.

[color=blue]- GITAARDOCPHIL SAIS: TO CONQUER DEAD, YOU HAVE TO DIE[/color]   AND [color=blue] we are born to die[/color]
- MY GUITAR PLAYS EVERY STYLE = BLUES, ROCK, METAL, so I NEED TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY IT.
[color=blue]Civilization began the first time an angry person cast a word instead of a rock.[/color]