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Transition from Acoustic to Electric


JerseyGMan
Registered User
Joined: 09/22/16
Posts: 1
JerseyGMan
Registered User
Joined: 09/22/16
Posts: 1
12/30/2016 8:35 pm

I did a search for answers on this but had little luck. I have been learning on an acoustic for about 10 months now. Recieved a Fender Beginner Kit as a gift and tried out the electric guitar last night for the first time. I was a bit shocked at how I wasn't able to just play as I did on the acoustic. Some things that I found:

Trouble finding the strings with my picking hand (where to rest my wrist, etc).

Trouble transitioning cleanly between chords.

"Metallic" sound from the strings (not amp) when I strum/pick.

Getting the right sound out of the amp. The chords just do not sound right.

These are a few of the problems I've encountered. Any advice/tips on these or any other concerns transitioning from acoustic to electric would be appreciated. Thank you!


# 1
JeffS65
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Joined: 10/07/08
Posts: 1,602
JeffS65
Registered User
Joined: 10/07/08
Posts: 1,602
01/03/2017 9:13 pm

Here's some thoughts below. In general though, there is a difference in changing from acoustic to electric (snd viceversa). It is an adjustment and may take some time to get used to, particularly if you are newer to guitar.

Originally Posted by: JerseyGMan

-Trouble finding the strings with my picking hand (where to rest my wrist, etc).

-Trouble transitioning cleanly between chords.

[/quote]

This might be an issue of depth. That is to say; the acoustic guitar is a thicker (front to back) instrument than an electric. This makes how you rest your arm on the body a little different and by extension, where your hand is placed across the strings/bridge.

This might apply to other stuff below but, don't try to be as skilled right away when changing from the acoustic to the electric. At least not now. Eventually it becomes natural to change between. However, go slow for new. It really is a matter of just getting used to the differences and finding your way on each instrument.

Originally Posted by: JerseyGMan

"Metallic" sound from the strings (not amp) when I strum/pick.

In general, electric does not resonate like an acoustic guitar and sounds 'metallicky' when played unplugged. The electric guitar still makes sound when unplugged and I would guess you're hearing that.

[quote=JerseyGMan]

Getting the right sound out of the amp. The chords just do not sound right.

Getting the right amp tone/sound is one of those things you learn to get over time....and then it becomes an obsession...hehe

With that said, when you plug in the guitar, you have to play with the settings in order to get the sound right. It changes when you are playing 'clean' to when you are playing with distortion. So it takes time to learn how to mess with those sounds.

Another thing to keep in mind, part of how the tone 'renders' itself is based on how you strike the strings and how you fret the notes. Lots of your tone comes from your hands.

What this really means is that the tone you get from an amp will take time to get. As you get more comfortable with the electric, the stronger your tone is going to be. As you mentioned, you are still getting used to the electric and not yet good at playing it. As you get better, so does your sound. As part of that, you learn what the amp can do.

In the meantime, to dial in tone, here's a suggestion for settings; set the Low to about 4, Mid to about 3 and High to about 6. What this will not do is give you the greatest tone. It is a starting point. From there, you can start strumming chords and twiddling each knob until you start seeing a little better sound. This starter setting isn't the end all but normally practice amps need a little more bass and treble and less mid. Since it is only a starter, if for some reason amp sounds awesome at; Low-6/Mid-7/High 5...so be it. But you want to start somewhere and this might help you start.


# 2

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