141 - Acoustic Guitar vs. Electric (where to start?)

I'm giving you the top 5 reasons why starting on acoustic guitar is better for a beginner than starting on electric guitar. The acoustic guitar is perhaps the most magical object in the world, and I'm here to tell you why... In addition, I'll recommend 5 acoustic music documentaries you NEED to check out and how to best use Music Nomad's suite of products. Acoustic guitar vs. Electric guitar is a debate that has been raging since the electric guitar was introduced during the mid-20th century. While it is no doubt fun to play and sounds incredible, is it the best thing for a beginner guitarist to play? Instead, I suggest that folks new to guitar start on acoustic guitar. Without further ado, here are the 5 reasons why you should start on Acoustic Guitar. ★ Why You Should Start on Acoustic Reason #5: Self-Sufficiency All you need to play the acoustic guitar is just the guitar, no more, no less. This means you can go to a campfire jam with your acoustic guitar, you can play on the roof, or you can bring it on a walk with you. You don't need an amp, chords, or electricity. In this way, the acoustic guitar is totally self-sufficient and lends itself well to ease of playing and being a cheaper initial investment. ★ Why You Should Start on Acoustic Reason #4: No Hiding From a technique and execution standpoint, the acoustic guitar doesn't allow you to hide behind layers of distortion and effects, therefore it builds better technical ability and overall cleaner playing. The acoustic guitar also requires a bit more strength and flexibility to play compared to an electric guitar. And, while this may seem like a reason for beginners to play electric guitar, it's not. Instead, this forces you to build-up muscle and flexibility in your fingers before moving to an easier instrument like the electric guitar. The goal is to make the transition from acoustic to electric easy, rather than making the transition from electric to acoustic difficult. ★ Why You Should Start on Acoustic Reason #3: Versatility You can do so much with an acoustic guitar it is mind-blowing. From percussion to effects to everything in between the possibilities are endless. I want to acknowledge how versatile the electric guitar is, too. However, this comes at a cost. Meanwhile, the acoustic guitar is versatile right out of the gate. You don't need pedals and effects (although, they can certainly be used). Instead, you can focus on the percussive effects or the different tonal qualities playing different parts of the guitar can afford. ★ Why You Should Start on Acoustic Reason #2: Community The acoustic guitar by nature is a social instrument. There is a reason it has become synonymous with campfires. People tend to gravitate toward an acoustic guitar when it comes out in a group setting. It's a chance to connect and bond over the joy of music! And, as I have seen in my own life and experience, community is so incredibly important to the musical journey. Specifically, on a guitar journey, having a community that encourages you to discover and take joy in music is incredibly important. ★ Why You Should Start on Acoustic Reason #1: Magic For an inanimate object, I would argue the acoustic guitar holds a serious amount of meaning. There is a magic with the guitar, the stories it holds, the personality it develops, and the memories it captures. It's like a camera that's on 24/7. I say this due to a recent experience I had cleaning an old guitar — a story I'll be telling later on this episode...so be sure to watch the whole thing! To get the rest of the show notes and the full links and breakdown of the episode, visit acousticlife.tv/at141/ !!! ★ Request your invite to Tony's Acoustic Challenge today: https://tonypolecastro.com/al-request-invite/?ref=INVITE&src=AL ★ All show notes and links: https://acousticlife.tv/at141/ ★ Get the show: https://tonypolecastro.com/get-acoustic-tuesday