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Electric Guitar for Beginners: There Really Is No Such Thing
By Mark J Emslie

If you wish to learn the electric guitar there are many who would advise starting off with an acoustic guitar and when you are on the way to some level of proficiency, move up to, or upgrade to, an electric guitar. Some would advocate starting with an electric guitar for beginners. Well let me tell you, there is no such thing!

I personally learnt to play on an acoustic guitar when I was about thirteen but that was not from choice but simple economics. My sister had one of these guitars and it was cheaper for me to rent it off her (yes, rent! I think she now realises how mean she was) than buy an electric guitar. My first electric guitar arrived some months later as a birthday present.

Why There Is Confusion

People can be forgiven for thinking that there is such a beast as an electric guitar for beginners. Electric guitars are made for children i.e. they are simply smaller in size such that a small child could handle the guitar properly and safely. Guitars are also made in three quarter size. This is not an electric guitar for beginners because it is smaller it is purely because some people prefer to play an instrument of this size. So, because there are smaller guitars available I can understand some people s confusion. Additionally, some manufacturers like Fender and Gibson produce what they call “starter kits”. They are called this purely because everything is enclosed in the package e.g. guitar, amplifier, lead, chord book or chart, spare strings and even the guitar pick or plectrum.

If you wish to learn an electric guitar, learn on one! There really is no merit in purchasing the acoustic version unless you aspire to be John Martin and that is the instrument you wish to play. The chords on each are exactly the same, the notes on each are the same, the basic structure is the same etc. To be honest, it is probably easier if anything to learn on an electric guitar as the guitar neck is thinner which makes fingering chords less difficult.

Electric or Acoustic Guitar?

The advantage of using an acoustic rather than an electric guitar for beginners is that, that is all you need. As mentioned, with an electric guitar you will need an amplifier to hear how the guitar sounds. It can be played without an amp but that s not why you wanted to learn the electric guitar, is it!

It can be said that it is harder to learn electric guitar for beginners but this is only because you have a greater choice of sounds from the combination of the guitar and amplifier to manipulate and be satisfied with.

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However seeing what sounds you can produce is the real fun part after you have started to bang out a few chords or licks. Even more fun comes when you start purchasing and experimenting with effects pedals to further enhance the range of sounds you find you are producing.

So, just so there is no confusion, there is no such thing as an electric guitar for beginners. Whether you go for the acoustic or electric options, you will have a lot of hard work in front of you if you wish to play to a proficient level but, you will also have hours of fun, enjoyment and satisfaction to go with that. Rock and Roll!

Mark J Emslie has been a guitarist and musician for over 35 years. Much of that time has been in a professional capacity. More information on learning the guitar and guitar lessons can be found at www.GuitarPik.com.

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