5 KEY Benefits Of Learning Guitar On An Acoustic VS An Electric - Should You Pick Up Acoustic First?

In this video Meg shares with you 5 key benefits on why learning to play guitar on an acoustic guitar as opposed to an electric guitar is superior! What the main differences are between the two instruments when it comes to picking one up for the first time, the things you'll notice and the things that look similar but may feel quite different if you've never played a guitar before!... It's all just bit of fun though!

Let us know what you thing down below in the comments! Did you start on an acoustic guitar yourself? What tips and benefits wood you like to add? Let us know down below!

0:00 Intro & What's Coming Up
0:50 Things To Consider First!
1:30 Reason #1 - Learning On Thicker Strings Grows Finger Strength Faster
3:11 Reason #2 - Acoustic Guitars Are More Portable - No Need For Amps!
4:38 Reason #3 - The Variety Of Options Available, Body Shapes & Sizes
7:04 Reason #4 - Acoustic Guitars Are A Lot Simpler To Use
8:43 Reason #5 - The Beautiful Unmatched Sound Of Acoustic Tone!
9:43 Why Creating Acoustic Dynamics Makes Everything A Little More Personal
11:54 Final Thoughts

Find all the guitars Meg mentions & plays in this video at PMT Online below:
__________________________________________________________

Subscribe to PMTVUK:

Find us on social media:

[Fret-knot]

I love Led Zeppelin, which is probably why I decided to learn on both! I pick up the acoustic and learn my chords and then play the electric afterwards. It feels nice and easy holding those strings down after strumming on a dreadnought for half an hour. I don't have a favourite - I enjoy them both for different styles and techniques.

[RockStarOscarStern]

They even make Electric Guitars with built in amps for easier playability and portability. The lighter gauge strings on an Electric make things even easier.

[hartcons]

my first acoustic was a seagull. my first electric was an epiphone les paul studio. scale length and body size/weight are key considerations. string gauge can be changed (i put 10s on my acoustics). my nu-x mighty plug headphone amp makes the electric more portable (plus i think there's a spark mini on the horizon). my recommendation to a beginner is find something that is comfortable for you and that you can have fun with straight away. if you start grinding too hard you might quit which would be a shame because it is a lot of fun when you get to the other side. and don't rule out an acoustic guitar just because it has a laminate top.

[philhitchings]

I love my Tanglewood. It's always within reach and I like being able to noodle at volume without having to plug in one of my electrics. Plus it's cheaper to run ;)

[markflores]

When I decided to learn guitar almost 40 years ago, there were neither budget-friendly electric guitars nor solid state amps in the market. So electric was simply out of the question. My mom gifted me a decent Korean-made dreadnought acoustic and that’s where I learned chords, strumming, rhythm playing, and folk-genre finger style. You’re spot on in that playing acoustic builds the fundamentals that make it easier to transition to electric.

[williamcammer]

I love playing acoustic, excellent video Meg

[musicandfitnesswithsurojit]

I started learning to a guitar just to understand the music. Then I fall in love with that instrument.

[rajeshgumber]

You can of course put lighter gauge strings on an acoustic like 10 or 11 gauge so you can play more comfortably and they are easier to bend than the 12 gauge strings!

[paulcopsey]

Totally agree, accoustic first. Worth adding that it is perhaps beneficial aiming for the £300 mark for a guitar in the early stages. They are so much easier to play & just sound better. I would also recommend getting g a cut away style. I do get the argument though. I am not comfortable on Strats or Teles. Transitioning to electric guitars was easier for me with Casino, 335, Less Paul. Just a bit more familiarity in the neck, body & headstock. As a word of caution though, I have become a bit Les Paul obsessed.

[O_Towne_Bear]

I think that myself and my friends who play (which is most) all learned on an acoustic first. It was also more cost friendly for our folks. I love playing my acoustic, though, if it hasn't been awhile (ie: playing my electric more) it can be a bit painful, lol.
ALSO: Once again (and again) lovely playing. Meg.

[RockStarOscarStern]

PMTVUK
Electric Guitar is easier because the strings are lighter & you have easier action. The body is thinner so that helps. I modified my Acoustic Guitar to play like an Electric w/ really really light gauge strings by cranking the angle of the headstock down to 90 Degrees like a lute & this puts the strings at a really steep angle over the nut.

[RockStarOscarStern]

They even make versions with Nylon Strings

[guitarnerd]

I started playing on an electric guitar, rock and blues. Never thought about an acoustic until 2 years ago. WOW! I love mine. Blues sounds amazing on them, and nothing beats playing Bon Jovi, Wanted dead or alive, on one. They definately improve your playing technique and make you clean up those sloppy electric fingers.

[luisg]

I started with an acoustic. I wish I had set a bit of mo ey aside to have my acoustic set up properly, but the heavy strings and high action did force me to build finger strength. I got ruined forever one day when a friend handed me a Les Paul, now I play electric 90% of the time. Its an expensive life mistake for sure!

[swansonjoe]

I’m really happy I learned on acoustic, but I also wish to get into electric. The tone is what throws me off when I plug into an amp. I feel like electric isn’t really made for strumming unless it’s at a specific setting, can anyone help a brother out?

[lmavisl]

Probably worth mentioning a pair of headphones and something like the fender mustang micro (or a mini amp if you don't like headphones) can make an electric guitar just as portable as an acoustic. I started off on a bargain bin electric with a mini amp that could be charged up for wireless use, fun times

[CraigFlowersMusic]

I learned on an acoustic and am no longer interested in it, and that's why I burn through frets like crazy. Js

[Armin.T]

I agree and disagree with you at the same time 😂

[roywarriner]

Nope, learn on electric. You should get an acoustic eventually though. Lighter strings will let you practice longer and more effectively. An acoustic can be heard all through the house, an electric playing acoustically can hardly be heard over a ceiling fan. Think about that when your kid is learning his first chords. Headphone amps are affordable and fit in your pocket. You can buy a better playing electric for the same money as acoustic. In you live in the north or a desert, you need to keep your acoustic in a case with a humidifier, therefore less likely to pick it up to practice. Solid body guitars are more resistant to damage. Some of your points may apply to a gigging musician but not an absolute newb with his first guitar. I live in the Great White North and rarely take my acoustic out of the case in the winter.

[iam.miikey]

One negative thing about i rarely pickup my electric guitar.. :{