Ever pondered whether picking up the electric guitar or the acoustic guitar is simpler? This is a frequent question that pops up in the minds of nearly all budding guitarists.
Many believe the electric guitar is easier for beginners due to its lighter strings and ergonomic design. As someone who has picked up both, I know there’s more to the story.
While a bit tougher on the fingers initially, acoustic guitars offer simplicity in gear—just you, your guitar, and maybe a pick. On the other hand, electric guitars often require an amp and other accessories, which can add to the excitement of learning.
Throughout this blog post, we’ll explore the contrasts and similarities between the two. By the end, you’ll have a clearer idea of which instrument best fits your musical journey.
Acoustic vs
Electric Guitar:
Which Is Better For Beginner Guitarists?
You may not realise it yet, but the question of which guitar is better or easier to play is a bit of a non-question.
How can that be? After all, there are plenty of beginner electric guitar products, books and YouTube videos out there, so surely that’s the best option for beginners?
But saying that, there are also plenty of beginner acoustic guitar products on the market. Many of them get new players off the mark successfully.
So which is better? This question is precisely the problem.
There's No Such Thing As ‘For Beginners'
Suppose you’re trying to figure out the right guitar you should get as a beginner or whether to buy an acoustic guitar or electric guitar for your child. In that case, the thing to pay attention to isn’t the instrument but the person who’ll be playing it.
For example, if you’re purchasing a guitar for your child, find out what type of music inspires them. What made them want to take up guitar in the first place?
Is your child an acoustic guitarist or electric guitarist?
Do they spend all their time listening to an acoustic guitarist? Do their eyes light up every time they see an electric guitar playing rock music on TV?
Do they want to start playing an acoustic guitar or an electric guitar because their friends at school do?
These are perfectly valid reasons to buy an instrument for your child. Still, the point here is that certain instruments suit certain people and not the other way round.
If your child would be far more inspired learning electric guitar, then go for an electric guitar.
If they’d prefer to play acoustic guitar, then you should go for an acoustic guitar.
But Which Is Easier?
The term “easier” will always be a term that we use relatively.
If I ask, “is it easy to jump one meter in the air” the answer will always depend on who is doing the jumping.
For a 4-year-old, it will likely be impossibly difficult. Still, the professional high jumper will do this several times a day for fun without ever breaking a sweat. It is similar with beginner guitarists at the start of their guitar journey.
Instead of asking which is easier, it’s best to ask, “which first guitar is most likely to make me want to practice?”.
What If I Start On Acoustic And Want To Switch To Electric?
This is where the good news starts. There’s actually a lot of common ground between acoustic guitars and electric guitars.
If you’ve started playing guitar a lot of skills carry over, such as:
All of the scales on electric guitars are played in the same way on acoustic guitars.
All of the barre chords that you learn to play acoustic are transferable to electric, it is just as easy to play barre chords.
Students of each will need to learn how to start playing with a pick and their fingers. Whilst there are slight differences and idiosyncrasies to play on, one can be easily transferred to the other.
Is Electric Guitar Good For Beginners?
Now, I’m sure that whilst you have read and considered what I’ve said above very carefully, I also completely understand that many of you will be reading this simply looking for a quick answer.
That is completely fine. Suppose you’re a busy professional that just wants to play for fun or a working parent who doesn’t have time to do the research. In that case, you absolutely should make a quick decision!
Here are a few good points about starting on electric guitar as a beginner guitarist:
It Sounds Great
I’m not being shallow or vain in saying this. An excellent electric guitar can sound great right out of the box, despite the necessity for a few accessories. There are plenty of beginner courses and books which will teach you famous rock music quickly and with minimal fuss so that you can play them and impress your friends. Let’s be honest, that’s hugely motivating!
Beginner Models Are Cheap
You don’t have to spend a fortune getting a good model that will serve you well as a beginner. This beginner electric guitar package on Amazon, for instance, comes with a stand, strap, practice amp and, of course, an electric guitar for just over £/$100. It’s well built and looks good. It’s ideal for school concerts or home practice, and it won’t break your bank balance either!
COMES WITH: Nylon Carry Case
FEATURES: Small Body Size
Display4Top
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Affordable
- Great Starting Instrument
- Only Suitable For Beginners
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
There's Plenty Of Practice Material Out There
Beginners who play electric guitar have a wealth of options for all sorts of budgets for learning your first guitar. You can learn electric guitar via books, private teachers, online courses, part-time music courses or even for free on YouTube. Whatever your budget, you’ll find something!
Good Things About Learning Acoustic Guitar As A Beginner
If electric isn’t your thing and you’re much more inspired by the thought of picking up an acoustic, then fear not. You have just as many great options at your disposal.
You just need to know where to look!
Here are the good things about learning acoustic guitar as a beginner.
Progress Fast
You can quickly make a lot of progress on acoustic guitar by learning a few basic things. Once you know how to play open chords, barre chords and a scale or two, then you’ll be able to play a wide range of songs that you hear on the radio today.
You’ll likely be able to play a version of your favourite songs in no time at all!
Beginner Models Are Also Cheap
As it was for electric, it is for acoustic. There are plenty of great beginner packages like this Martin Smith beginner package which comes with a stand, gig bag, tuner, strap, and picks for under £/$50! If you want an acoustic guitar, but you don’t want to break to the bank, this is an excellent option for you!
FEATURES: Metal Gear-heads and Steel Strings
FEATURES: Small Body Size
Martin Smith Acoustic
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Very Affordable
- Only Suitable for Beginners
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Perform In A Group Or Alone
Whether you want to play in a group or on your own, the acoustic guitar will be able to meet your needs. Unlike the electric guitar, acoustic guitars work perfectly well as a stand-alone instrument and often don’t need any support.
This means that there’s a whole host of great material out there to learn, which you can play by yourself.
What Type Of Guitar Is Best For Beginners?
Now that we’ve explored the differences between acoustic guitars and electric guitars let’s start to look at some actual models you may want to consider buying.
I’ll recommend some specific models as I’ve done above. Still, you should factor in your own personal circumstances and preferences too.
To help you do that, here are a few things to consider about buying a guitar as a beginner.
Acoustic Or Electric? Which Do I Like Better?
The acoustic or electric guitar question can only be honestly answered by listening to your preferences.
Don’t be afraid to be intuitive here. If you love one more than the other, then so be it.
Remember that as well as buying an instrument you’re also purchasing a hobby. So that means you need to enjoy it! If one feels more fun and enjoyable to you, that’s a good sign!
How Much Money Do I Have To Spend?
There’s nothing wrong with keeping one eye on your bank balance as you purchase a new instrument.
Electric guitars tend to cost a little more compared to their acoustic counterparts, but you can still find some cheap options as you can with acoustic guitars.
This electric guitar package on Amazon is a great starter option for around £/$100. You get the guitar but also included are a host of essential accessories like an amp for electric amplification, strap, case and strings.
Acoustic players will want to look at this Martin Smith beginner package for under £/\$50, which includes a steel string acoustic guitar.
These are both cheap but quality instruments that will work for most beginners.
Don't Forget The Accessories!
Both acoustic guitars and electric guitars need a host of accessories that will help the owner take care of them, tune them and play them better.
Many beginner packs like those mentioned above include these accessories (another reason they are such a good deal!). Still, if you want to buy them separately, you should purchase the following.
A guitar case – options for acoustic guitar and electric guitar will help keep your instrument safe and protected from wear and tear.
COMES WITH: 12mm thick sponge padding
FEATURES: Waterproof Exterior
CAHAYA Acoustic Soft Case
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Affordable
- Offers less protection than a hard case
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
COMES WITH: 0.9mm thick sponge padding
FEATURES: Waterproof Exterior
CAHAYA Electric Soft Case
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Affordable
- Offers less protection than a hard case
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
WEIGHS: 5.16kg
FEATURES: TSA Approved
Gator Hardcase
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Long-lasting
- A little heavier than a soft case
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
An electronic tuner – this will make tuning quick and easy. This clip-on tuner is ideal for both acoustic and electric guitars.
Using this tuner is so easy, I love how it helps me nail that perfect pitch for my instrument with its user-friendly design and super accurate tuning.
What sets it apart from other tuners is its ability to tune all strings simultaneously, allowing for quick and efficient tuning of the entire instrument. This innovative feature saves time and hassle, making it a standout choice for musicians who value efficiency and accuracy.
The only downside of the Polytune Clip is that it might be a bit pricier than other clip-on tuners, but trust me, its precision and ability to tune all strings at once make it totally worth the investment for any musician who wants reliable and efficient tuning.
COMES WITH: State of the art display
FEATURES: The best polyphonic tuner to-date
PolyTune Clip
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- An essential piece of equipment
- Great Quality
- Small and easy to forget
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Spare Strings – strings break, and they need to be replaced when they do. Here’s an excellent set for electric guitar players and one for acoustic guitar. You can also purchase a variety of other strings such as heavier gauge strings, softer strings, heavier strings, bass strings, lighter gauge strings and nylon strings.
STAY IN TUNE: High carbon steel wire and Fusion twist technologies deliver unrivaled tuning stability
FEEL & TONE: XT strings feature an extended lifespan treatment on every string in the set
D'Addario Strings XT Nickel Plated Electric Guitar
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Cost Effective
- Last Long
- Lovely Tone
- None
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
STAY IN TUNE: High carbon steel wire and Fusion twist technologies deliver unrivaled tuning stability
CORROSION-RESISTANT: These strings feature a precision wound corrosion-resistant phosphor bronze wire that is carefully drawn around a hexagonally shaped, high-carbon steel core
D'Addario Acoustic Guitar String Phosphor Bronze
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Cost Effective
- Last Long
- Lovely Tone
- None
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Now that you know what you’re looking for, let’s discuss the physical differences between acoustic guitars and electric guitars.
Is Electric Guitar Easier To Play?
Having read the rest of this article, you might think I’m about to say that it all depends on your own preferences and, in a sense, you’d actually be wrong.
What Is Acoustic Guitar Like To Play?
Like it or not, there are some key physical differences in how acoustic guitars and electric guitars are made that can make them harder or easier to play.
Let’s start first with the acoustic guitar advantages.
The Body Is Bigger
An acoustic guitar needs to have a large body shape to house the soundbox and a thicker neck. This is what allows the guitar to resonate properly when it’s played, and ultimately, this is how it makes acoustic music, that classical guitar sound.
This means that the body of an acoustic guitar will be much bigger than that of the electric guitar. The larger body may make it easier for an adult learning guitar than a child learning guitar.
For adult learners, this won’t be a problem. Still, if you’re buying a guitar for a young child at the beginning of their guitar journey, they will have a smaller torso and smaller arms, so they may find it difficult to reach around the instrument and play it.
The Strings Are Often “Heavier"
Every type of guitar string has what we call a string gauge. This simply refers to how thick the string is. Acoustic guitar strings are often thicker strings.
Because the acoustic guitar relies on resonating to produce sound, acoustic guitar strings or a steel string acoustic guitar will often be of a heavier gauge because the more mass there is to vibrate, the more resonance you’ll get.
For younger children or those with weaker hands, this can be problematic. It can make it more challenging to push the guitar strings down, and some chord shapes can become uncomfortable. Younger children or those with smaller hands may find it more difficult to play a few chords, especially barre chords.
Not Always Built For Playability
Whilst many luthiers are doing all they can to make acoustic guitars easier to play, many still have a thicker neck and high string actions, which beginners can find challenging when they’re first starting out.
This isn’t always a bad thing, though. If you stick with it, it can lead to stronger hands in the long run and tougher calluses on your fingers!
Is Electric Guitar Easier Than Acoustic?
In some senses, the answer here is yes. Just as we did for acoustic guitars, let’s now take a deep dive into the physical aspects of electric guitars and see how they stack up.
Bodies Are Smaller
Because an electric guitar relies on an amplifier to make noise, it doesn’t need to have the chunky soundbox that an acoustic guitar does.
For this reason, small children or those with smaller hands and arms find them much easier to play with because they are physically smaller and have lighter strings. The smaller body may make it easier for a child learning guitar.
It’s not so hard to reach around to the neck or the lighter strings. The smaller body also means that the instrument is generally much more comfortable to hold.
If you play standing up with a strap, you’ll also notice that the electric guitar sits closer to your body because the guitar’s body is thinner.
This is a small thing in the grand scheme of things, but you’ll notice your arms and shoulders don’t fatigue as quickly or as much when playing electric guitar.
Strings Are Much Lighter
As was the case in the first point, the electric guitar doesn’t need a soundbox to make a noise like an acoustic guitar does.
When it comes to strings, this means that the electric guitar works perfectly well with smaller gauge electric guitar strings because the amplifier dictates how loudly you’ll be heard.
Using smaller gauge strings is ideal for beginners because they don’t get as many playing injuries early on.
It also means that the electric guitar feels much more natural and relaxing to play than the acoustic guitar, but it’s literally less effort. It is also much easier learning to play fingerstyle due to the smaller strings.
Playability Is King
Many electric guitars are purpose-built for guitar players to play flashy music. Yes, you heard right. Sometimes it’s not just electric guitar pros you’re watching on TV. It’s someone who’s being helped along the way by electric guitars that are built for ease and speed!
So if you’re a beginner, you want to play an electric and your harbour dreams of playing guitar like Jimi Hendrix, then an electric guitar that is set up for speed might be just the ticket.
You’ll find that the strings are low and close to the neck (what we call a low action), light gauge strings are used, and the neck is probably very thin.
What do you get if you add low action, light gauge strings and a thin neck? An electric guitar that feels effortless to play.
Ideal for many beginners.
Is Acoustic Or Electric Guitar
Better For Beginners
Summary
So if you’re still wondering, “Are electric guitars easier to play than acoustic?”
The last thing to do is to bust a common myth or perhaps we could even call it a misconception. Choosing between electric and acoustic guitars is different for everyone.
Electric guitars are easier to play because they have thinner strings and need less pressure. They also let you change the sound in more ways.
Acoustic guitars are usually cheaper and require less gear. They can be suitable for beginners who want something simple.
Here’s a nifty breakdown:
- Electric Guitar:
- It’s easier on fingers with lighter strings.
- Requires additional gear (amp, cables).
- Flexible sound options.
- Acoustic Guitar:
- More budget-friendly.
- Simplified setup.
- Great for learning basic chords and strumming.
Ultimately, the choice depends on what you’re looking to get out of your guitar journey.
Best Accessory
Polytune Clip
Best Acoustic
Martin Smith
Best Electric
Display4Top Electric
Loved the breakdown on the playability between electric and acoustic – really helps clear up the confusion! Cheers to picking my guitar journey back up.
Isn’t it all just about practice?
I have to point out, Hugh Richardson, while both beginner models for acoustic and electric guitars can be affordable, it greatly depends on the quality and brand. From a teaching perspective, it’s vital to emphasize that the right guitar is the one that aligns with the student’s musical interests. This ensures sustained motivation throughout the learning process.
Totally agree with Dan. Got myself a cheap electric and it discouraged me at first until I switched to acoustic.
Hey, does anyone know if it’s actually simpler to start on an electric guitar if I’ve never played any instrument before? Saw it mentioned above but wanna hear personal experiences.