Electric or Acoustic? Help Me!


ZekeBot
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ZekeBot
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04/28/2007 4:40 am
Hey Guys,

I have just started like 2 - 3 months back. I bought an Acoustic Guitar. Though i am all into Rock and Metal but my guitar teacher told me to start with acoustis as in to build finger strength and good ear. upon searching around on the net i found people suggesting to start with elecric right away.

I would be thankful if you guys could help on this. Should i buy electric now or go with acoustic for some time now?

so far i have learned CADGEF Am, Bm, Em Chords. and C major scale on high,med, and lower octave.

looking forward for valuable suggestion.

Stay Metal.\m/
# 1
GuitarJunkie23
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GuitarJunkie23
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04/28/2007 12:50 pm
I'm new to playing myself, so I could be wrong here, but if you want to play on an eletric, you should. I'm not so sure learning on either one would make a diffrence. I'm new myself though, like I said so I could be wrong.
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# 2
Kevin Taylor
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Kevin Taylor
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04/28/2007 1:20 pm
I'm kinda on the fence on this one.
I started on acoustic too, and it definitely helped strengthen my fingers.
However, it also stalled my advancement because when I wanted to move into leads and barre chords, I was stuck not being able to do it.
I'd probably say get both if you can afford it.
If not though, once you've mastered the basic open chords, it's time to move on to an electric if that's where your interests lie.
# 3
txladykat
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txladykat
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04/28/2007 5:27 pm
i agree with the both comment. been playing about 6 months or so (maybe a bit longer) and I have both. Acoustic IS good for finger strength! But, if have dreams of playing electric some day, I would definately so introduce both into your practicing. The acoustic is much harder (IMO), but will benefit me as I learn on the electric as well. Plus, even you plan to play electric primarily, it is always nice to have those acoustic skills to whip out when you dont have the means to play the electric. For example, when I go over to jam with a friend and learn some tricks, I always take my acoustic cause it is just much easier than lugging the equipment around for my electric.
# 4
elklandercc
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elklandercc
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04/28/2007 6:00 pm
You already have an acoustic, so get an electric. Its great to have both. Theres just some things that sound better on electric than an acoustic, and vice versa. Not to mention your a fellow metal head.
"During this line, the kid acted like he was pushing buttons on a calculator in the air. The kid played ******* air-calculator!"

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# 5
ZekeBot
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ZekeBot
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04/29/2007 6:02 am
Thanks a lot guys. You have solved my problem. Guess what! i need to change my teacher :p he is too much into classical and stuff. so keeping your view in mind i will practice on both.. and get myself an electric :D I am already having butterflies in my stomach.

Thanks Once again guys and Yea Keep ****ing supporting Metal. \m/
# 6
hunter60
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hunter60
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04/29/2007 12:20 pm
Yep. I tend to agree. Both is the way to go (provided you can afford it). I love the electric guitar but there are songs and moods that only work on an acoustic. I had several people tell me the same thing when I was looking. Learn the acoustic first, it'll make learning the electric a little easier. You work on finger strength and getting a clear sound. :)
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# 7
dvenetian
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dvenetian
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04/29/2007 1:32 pm
Originally Posted by: ZekeBotThanks a lot guys. You have solved my problem. Guess what! i need to change my teacher :p he is too much into classical and stuff. so keeping your view in mind i will practice on both.. and get myself an electric :D I am already having butterflies in my stomach.

Thanks Once again guys and Yea Keep ****ing supporting Metal. \m/

I would reconsider dumping your instructor so quickly. Hey, as long as he doesn't make you dance around the room singing "Fairies Wear Boots" with White Tights on, or want you to pay for the lesson in some strange way, He is more than likely the best in your area to learn Theory from. In the old days, Classical students learned by getting their fingers smacked with a switch when they did wrong. Then, on with the dreaded Tights and off to the River Dance when they missed a theory question............................
On a Serious note, get a decent electric and start now-- before it's too late, if you really want to play Metal. Do you understand why you need to build all of that finger strength????????????? TO PLAY AN ACOUSTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have a few friends that play great acoustic, much better than I can, but sound like crap trying to play my Les Paul when it's plugged in. They always reach for the Volume Knob. Off is the only thing that helps........
They don't use certain techniques when learning on acoustic, like types of Muting, different pick techniques and the chops that make Metal. They strum the AXE like it's Noah's Ark and that's just not Metal.
Bring the acoustic to the Lesson, get the knowledge and apply it to METAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Randy Rhoads is one of the all time best Metal guitar players recorded.
He came from a classical background. While EVH mastered on a Major sound, Rhoads sent Metal guitarists scrambling to learn Theory when he shocked the industry with his unheard of insanity, which is his trademark to this day!!! There are so many that incorporated their style off Rhoad's legacy, but none sound like Rhoads. That's the beauty of theory.......... And I'm sure you will benefit greatly a few years from now with that instructor. (I say a few years because IMO the beginner pays out a ton to learn what a ten dollar chord book will show them to start on).
# 8
ZekeBot
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ZekeBot
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05/02/2007 5:11 am
Hey! dvenetian thanks man. that was some useful info.
btw, i have been checking out guitars. after some research i have decided to buy Ibanez. GRX and RG series guitars fall into my budget. i was wondering what you people think about Ibanez for beginners like me. and which one would be better. GRX or RG or any other which i am not aware of. Thanks.

Stay Metal.\m/
-Zeke.
# 9
dvenetian
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dvenetian
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05/02/2007 6:08 am
Originally Posted by: ZekeBotHey! dvenetian thanks man. that was some useful info.
btw, i have been checking out guitars. after some research i have decided to buy Ibanez. GRX and RG series guitars fall into my budget. i was wondering what you people think about Ibanez for beginners like me. and which one would be better. GRX or RG or any other which i am not aware of. Thanks.

Stay Metal.\m/
-Zeke.

Glad to see you got something from it Bro. Once again, that's just my opinion. You will know the right choice to make that's best for you. Just follow your instinct and weigh out the balance. Seeking out more knowledge to make your decision is proof enough for me that will make the right decision that's best for your circumstance.

I'm just relieved that I didn't receive negative rep points (the Dreaded Red) from the snide River dance remark!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They giveth and then taketh away occasionally.

The reissue of the Ibanez RG550 (popular Metal Axe in the 80's) would be my choice. I believe it's called the RG550XX, 20th Anniversary Edition.
# 10
rockonn91
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rockonn91
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05/02/2007 6:35 pm
ACOUSTIC ALL THE WAY!
:p
JK :cool:

-Agile Guitars Enthusiast
# 11
jeffhx
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jeffhx
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05/02/2007 7:16 pm
Originally Posted by: rockonn91ACOUSTIC ALL THE WAY!
:p


i concur

everyone agrees that folk music is the best in the world :)
[FONT=Impact]grooviest tunes ever [/FONT]
# 12
ZekeBot
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ZekeBot
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05/04/2007 3:32 pm
Originally Posted by: jeffhxi concur

everyone agrees that folk music is the best in the world :)

eh? what do you suggest?
# 13
rockonn91
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rockonn91
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05/04/2007 6:37 pm
JK. :cool:
its not folk though.

folk is a hard genre to describe.
think Dylan, The Byrds, Kingston Trio, America, Simon and Garfunkel. thats the only folk I really listen to. some of those even being folk could be debatable.
its a kinda big genre, but lyrics are very important. the singer/songwriter types.

...anyway, that was a digression not really important to the original topic.

I feel like if you buy an electric right now, you'll instinctively be like, "HEY! this is easier and cooler to play! forget acoustic!" ...that was kinda how I was when I first bought an electric. the thing is, you gotta know your basics, and the best way to learn those basics are on acoustic. to me at least, the electric is sort of just a fun toy. Its awesome to pull out for some sweet leads or CHUGGA CHUGGAH rock chords, but you lose a little bit of the expressive feel of an acoustic. with an acoustic, you can really groove out playing chords or little runs and such, and plus its portable. theres nothing cooler than sitting around the campfire jamming with some boys on an acoustic.

*shrug* to each their own. I personally say get everything down on acousic, all your chords, and powerchords, and scales... and once you have that all down SOLID, then move to electric. you'll find that at that point you'll have a good enough grasp of the guitar that it will help you immensely with both acousic playing and your electric playing.
JK :cool:

-Agile Guitars Enthusiast
# 14
Fret spider
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Fret spider
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05/04/2007 7:09 pm
i gotta agree with dvenetian about the teacher. my teacher was a jazzer. now i wasnt really into jazz. was into metal and such like

but he had the chops for metal and was great with theory. he could also pretty much work out most songs i wanted to play by ear. he could do most genres well. so he taught me funk rock metal bit of jazz. and i think thats great. in fact he opened my eyes to musoc, like jazz that i wouldnt have been interested before.

also about the acoustic thing. i learnt on electric first. then got an acoustic. and to be fair i dont think it was bad for me as such.

but when i first got the acoustic i found it rly hard to play. only recently have i been bothered to get better at it. and i noticed several things. one i became better at bar chords on both electric and acioustic. i became better at bendin. i became faster at picking and hammer ons and pull offs. and when i pick i am able to pick agressively without diggin the pick in to much. making my picked stuff sound way better.

so my advice. if when u get the electric u feel u are the personality that willl be able to make youself play the acoustic, go but an electric. if not, it may be wiser to stick with acoustic for a bit.

in the end its up to u
# 15
Tevis Maloney
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Tevis Maloney
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05/07/2007 3:08 am
There is nothing wrong with acoustic or electric. Both have their merits when begining. Ultimately it is up to you. Are you dedicated to practicing and have the drive to learn your instrument?
# 16
LloydW
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LloydW
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05/10/2007 10:36 pm
Which guitar should I have? Its simple really. I solved my problem by having about 25 guitars. Some are electric, some arent. Like the tee-shirt says" He who has the most guitars wins". I bet this doesnt solve your problem. Right now follow your instructor, you or someone is paying him good money to teach you. You have plenty to learn in just basics. Later when you do get an electric guitar you will have even more to learn. Dont over load right now. Spend the time right now looking for and priceing that electric of your dreams and learning the basic of the guitar, which regardless of what you play, you need to learn.
# 17
leaf
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leaf
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05/14/2007 4:08 pm
Do what you want but its better for your fingers when you play with a acoustic so I started with acoustic and got electric but practice with my acoustice more for it better on the fingers.
Eat, sleep, and play guitar! :D
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# 18
LloydW
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LloydW
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05/14/2007 4:30 pm
That doesnt add up
# 19
EPISODER
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EPISODER
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05/15/2007 5:24 pm
Definatly start on an acoustic. I started on one and now I played on my first electric. ALOT EASIER NOW!!! My friends all started on lead with electric and they all quit. Acoustic really helped me.
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# 20

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