Just joined!

First of all I LOVE this site! It took me about 15 minutes 'browsing' until I decided I needed full access to fulfill my task at hand. My brother passed away recently and he left me his instruments ranging from a Fender Strat to our great grandpa's fiddle...and a bodrahn ( Irish drum) so I could acquire some rhythm. LOL! I am trained in classical piano but have dabbled in banjo, clarinet and recently bought a cello. Needless to say I LOVE MUSIC!

The first problem I am having is sore finger tips! I have a classical guitar also but am playing on an acoustic since the neck fits me better at this point. I know my fingertips will get better each day I practice but? Is it better to start out on the acoustic? or should I start with the electric? or give up and look for a site called Bodrahntricks? I mainly play folk and country but want to learn it all.

Seriously, I really enjoy your site and have learned so much in the past 48 hours. Your teachers are AWESOME and very easy to follow.

Looking forward to practicing tomorrow! Thank you!!!!

Welcome to the site!

Is it better to start out on the acoustic? or should I start with the electric?

The electric guitar will be easier for your fingers because of the lighter strings, but if your goal is to learn acoustic styles/songs, then practice on the acoustic so that you develop your muscles right. If you've only ever played on an electric guitar and then pick up an acoustic, it will feel very hard to play (unless you've got extra light strings on).

I still get sore finger tips every now and then, even though I have hard calluses, escpecially when I'm working on something new or playing on heavier strings, just something we have to live with :D.

Those fingers are gonna stay sore for a bit.. but it will wear off... before you know it, you'll be able to sit down and strum for a few hours at a time.
I run extra light strings on my acoustic.. I don't play for anyone other than myself so I don't need to kill my fingers with the steel... and with my arthritis is helps out a bit too..
The electric is your best bet if you're wanting to get a variety of play styles in too.. You can always go cheap for practice to get the handle on both... I don't mind playing my $20 Acoustic (was bought used from a friend of my son's) to get my finger picking down and watch Lisa beat me with her challenges with the going faster on the practice on the finger picks. :D And the $70 Strat I got at a pawn shop got me through tons of songs to learn here as well..
It's when you decide that it's time to start SOUNDING like your bands that you want to learn that you will start getting into the expenses... Pedals, Amps, and even the guitar's setup will start hitting ya on the wallet...
BUT, in the long run, it's worth it in my honest opinion. I've finally gotten some nice tunes impressing my son.. he came home one night from work this past week or so.. I was practicing Metalica's Enter the Sandman.. and he was standing behind me jamming out :D I caught him.. priceless..

Howard

Once again, thank you for such good advice. I will break out the electric but keep on with acoustic. Learning is such a painful yet incredible thing with so many tools to work with! I feel like a kid in a candy store right now. :-)