Not sure whether to buy an acoustic or electric guitar for your first try at the instrument? Read on as Corona, CA teacher Milton J. shares his expert advice…
Learning to play the guitar can seem like a daunting task. With so many different types of guitars and styles of playing, it can be hard to decide where to start. But here’s a secret – learning acoustic guitar first is often the best way to go (and it’s not just because there are so many songs to learn on acoustic guitar, either!).
Here’s why.
What is the Easiest Way to Learn Acoustic Guitar?
Learning acoustic guitar can be an intimidating prospect, but with the right guidance, dedication and practice, anyone can become a great guitarist:
- One of the easiest ways to learn acoustical guitar is to find an experienced instructor who can help demystify the process and provide feedback during your practice sessions.
- Finding instructional books or online lessons that are tailored to your skill level can help you move along quickly.
- Before starting any new song, it is always important to warm-up by playing chords and scales in order to build muscle memory and technique.
- Set aside dedicated time over several weeks or months will give you the chance to slowly refine your approach without overwhelming yourself too much.
With these tips in mind and some hard work, acoustic guitar can be fun way of expressing yourself musically!
Ready to take your guitar playing to the next level? Learning acoustic guitar is a million times easier if you’re working with a talented guitar instructor who understands your needs, interests, and strengths. Sign up for guitar lessons and learn more about the benefits of doing so by watching the video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfZ64yEGPok
Here’s Why You Should Learn to Play Acoustic Guitar ASAP
Deciding on which guitar to start with is a big step. Not only do you want to feel comfortable with playing guitar for the first time, but you also want to suit your musical tastes, style, and aptitude. So should you learn to play acoustic guitar first? Or go straight to the electric, if your style leans more toward Hendrix? There is, in fact, a best choice — and that is the acoustic.
It’s Easier To Learn
Believe it or not, acoustic guitars are actually easier to learn than electric guitars. This is because they don’t require any additional items such as amplifiers or effects pedals. This means you don’t need to worry about wiring up all those components and figuring out how they work together – you just pick up your guitar and start playing! Plus, acoustic guitars tend to have thinner strings which make them easier on your fingers if you’re just starting out.
It Teaches You The Basics
While electric guitar players may be able to “plug and play” with all sorts of effects and fancy techniques, learning an acoustic guitar helps teach you the basics before moving onto more complex pieces. Acoustic guitar teaches you proper positioning and technique which will be invaluable when learning other instruments down the road. Not only that, but it also helps build muscle memory which will help make playing second nature once you’ve mastered the basics.
Acoustic Guitars Help With Initial Technique
The thicker strings and neck on the acoustic guitar will promote the building of finger strength. This will come into play as you continue to learn proper fingering technique, chords, and strum patterns. Moreover, learning rhythm, and the aforementioned strum pattern – the up-and-down motion of striking the strings that creates the main sound of the guitar – is easier and more conducive to successful repetition on the acoustic guitar. As you move to the intermediate stage after learning fingering technique, chords, and basic songs, understanding how to utilize the strum pattern as a percussive technique transforms the acoustic guitar into a drum and melody instrument. This opens up the stylistic interpretations of various songs you may learn along the way tremendously!
One common misconception prospective guitar players make when choosing which acoustic guitar to purchase start with the question, “Which guitar will be the easiest to play?” I feel this is the wrong question to ask. Try starting with the questions, “Which guitar feels most comfortable for me?” and “Which guitar fits into my budget?” Once you understand those parameters, you’ll find the best acoustic guitar for you to start with.
Acoustic Guitars Offer Portability
Lastly, the acoustic guitar’s portability will promote more playing, possibly in places away from home.
Unlike electric guitars that are limited by the length of their cords (and the size of their amps!), acoustic guitars can be taken anywhere you go. Whether you want to jam in your bedroom, at a friend’s house, or even on vacation, an acoustic guitar is always a great choice since it doesn’t rely on any external equipment. And when you get better, you can even take it outdoors and show off your skills in public!
The more possibilities you have early on for playing your new guitar in addition to your lessons, the better. I encourage you to take your guitar to a nice area at your local park, in your backyard or apartment balcony, or with you on that camping trip in order to receive a new perspective instead of just your teacher’s studio or your bedroom. This will help you appreciate your new instrument even more.
There Are Plenty of Acoustic Guitar Songs to Learn
If you’re looking for easy songs to learn on acoustic guitar, you’ll find there’s no shortage of option.
Learning an acoustic guitar can be extremely satisfying, and there is no better motivation to develop your skills than the benefit of being able to learn a wide variety of songs.
From simple campfire songs, to heavy metal riffs, acoustic guitars offer tremendous versatility in contrast to their electric counterparts. Acoustic guitars allow players to connect with the instrument in a unique way through its tangible strings and warm sound.
Some of the best songs to learn on acoustic guitar include classics like “Knocking on Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan, “Brown Eyed Girl” by Van Morrison and “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd. These tunes have stood the test of time and provide a solid foundation for beginners.
Is it Hard to Teach Yourself Acoustic Guitar?
Playing acoustic guitar can be daunting, especially if you are teaching yourself. While many people might think that having a private instructor is the best way to learn, there are actually many options available for those who don’t have access to one. Learning how to play acoustic guitar all by yourself takes dedication and patience but it’s definitely doable!
The first step in teaching yourself acoustic guitar is finding a method that works for you. There are countless books, online courses, apps, and YouTube tutorials available for those looking to learn how to play on their own.
Figure out which of these methods will work best for your schedule and budget. If you have some extra cash, splurge on a few lessons with a local instructor or invest in online video courses from reputable instructors. This will help provide guidance when necessary and ensure that your technique is correct from the start.
Once you’ve found a learning method that works for you, it’s time to invest in the right gear. A good quality acoustic guitar, picks, strings, tuner, amp and other accessories are important when learning any instrument – but especially so with an acoustic guitar.
Having the right gear can make it much easier to learn since they help create better sound quality and make the playing process more enjoyable overall. Make sure to check reviews before investing in any piece of equipment so that you can ensure that it meets your needs and expectations.
Learning Acoustic Guitar is Easy – With the Right Teacher!
Learning acoustic guitar is an essential part of becoming a proficient musician since it teaches you valuable skills that are applicable across all types of instruments.
Plus, it’s easy to learn since there isn’t any additional equipment needed – just grab your guitar and start strumming! So if you’re looking for a great place to start your musical journey, look no further than an acoustic guitar.
The most important step when teaching yourself acoustic guitar is practice! Even if you have access to an experienced teacher or great gear – without regular practice nothing else matters.
Set aside time each day (even just 15 minutes!) for practice and stick with it no matter what! Start off slow by learning chords or scales before delving into more complex pieces of music later on down the road – this will help build up your confidence as well as your skill level over time if done consistently enough.
Now, it’s time to rock out! Find your nearest guitar teacher, garner advice from him or her on where to purchase or rent your first guitar, and use this as a guide as you learn to play acoustic guitar! Have fun!
Milton K. teaches guitar, piano, singing, music recording, music theory, opera voice, songwriting, speaking voice, and acting lessons in Corona, CA. He specializes in classical, R&B, soul, pop, rock, jazz, and opera styles. Learn more about Milton here!
Photo by simon_music
Suzy S.