How different is the technique underlying the playing of electric and acoustic guitar? One of my colleagues has asked me to teach him some basic beginner's stuff on the guitar, but his is an electric. I've never played an electric guitar. Will what I show him make sense, or wouldl I be holding him back?

Jane

I do a bit of guitar teaching now and then, and I always prefer pupils to start off on electric guitars. There's no real difference in the underlying techniques (chords, fingerings, strumming, rhythms, etc), but electric guitars have thinner necks and thinner bodies which I personally think makes them easier to learn on.

However I know lots of people who argue for acoustic guitars, so I guess it's down to personal preference, there's no big difference anyway!

Matt

Matt is right in saying that electric guitars are easier to learn on. But then some experts 'out there' (not me!) say this is also its weakness and suggest learning an acoustic first - which then leads to better/even easier electric guitar later.

Given that most really good guitarists play both, there really is no reason not to go ahead and teach him some stuff. He/she may then take your old Eko guitar off your hands later.

Richard
Hong Kong

tend to agree too but you have to watch the sustain on an electric. depending on a few things including scale length and string gauges that's something you might miss on an acoustic!
the action is lower on an electric so playing at the higher frets is easier.

Very good point. Reminds me of my first so-called guitar bought for me as a present from Spain many years ago. The action was so high even at the head that holding down open chords was very difficult. Being so young and naive at the time I never realised this was not right, so soon gave up guitar playing!! Now if only I had checked with a teacher or a practising guitar player.

Back into guitar again (decades later) but a very nice Yamaha electro-acoustic this time. An acoustic with pick ups. Lovely sound and can actually hold strings down this time.

Richard
Hong Kong

It is always better to never ever buy a guitar straight out of the shop and take it home expecting it to be 100% as it should be.
Always ask about getting the guitar set up by a tech.
Most retailers will do it included in the price or get it done for you. If they don't know anyone or don't know what your talking about, take your buisness elswhere.
Even the expensive instruments (Gibson, Fender, PRS etc) don't come from the production line with any sort of a set up.
The only instruments I have ever come across that (maybe) wont need twiddling with (technical term) are the hand made classical guitars.

worth also adding 'just in case' - the shape of the electric. an electric doesn't need to have a waist like a classical acoustic. a flying-v or certain b.c.rich guitars, no doubt others, would be difficult/impossible to play in the traditional seated position. with some b.c.rich models you could probly do yourself a mischief playing seated!

I love the look of those BC Rich guitars but they are a little aggressive (for me)! True, you cannot play them seated easily.

B

Acoustic to me is harder. Well in most cases, because you do more finger work, rather than chords.

The Trinity Rockschool Guitar graded books (gr1 thru 8) have a good balance between finger work and chords. Read somewhere that guitar playing is 80% rhythm 20% lead.

Rockschool best for electric guitar fans I guess, but rock acoustic players/learners like me can also benefit.

Richard
Hong Kong