What's The Best Beginner Guitar? Electric, Acoustic or Classical?
Summary
TLDRIn this video, Justin explains why starting with an electric guitar is often better for beginners. He highlights the ease of playability, noting that electric guitars generally have lower string action, which reduces finger pain and frustration. Additionally, electric guitars are more comfortable to hold, quieter for practice without an amp, and versatile with modern tech like iPads and computers. He also discusses when to opt for acoustic or classical guitars, emphasizing personal preference and the importance of setup for easier playing. Ultimately, he encourages beginners to choose an electric guitar for a smoother learning experience.
Takeaways
- 🎸 Electric guitars are generally more beginner-friendly due to lower string action, making them easier to play.
- 👍 Electric guitars cause less finger pain for beginners compared to steel-string acoustic or classical guitars.
- 💡 Beginners don't need an amplifier to practice on an electric guitar since it produces enough sound acoustically.
- 🏠 Electric guitars are quiet enough for nighttime practice without disturbing neighbors.
- 📱 Modern technology allows electric guitars to connect to devices like iPads or computers for sound effects and recording.
- 🎶 If you want to play classical music, a classical guitar with nylon strings is a better option, but the wider neck can be challenging.
- 🔊 Steel-string acoustic guitars offer a distinct sound suited for folk or acoustic music, but cheap ones are hard to play and may require a professional setup.
- 🛠️ Getting a setup done on either an electric or acoustic guitar can greatly improve playability, especially on cheaper models.
- 💰 It's better to spend more on a well-set-up guitar rather than opting for the cheapest one, especially for acoustic guitars.
- 🎯 Your first guitar is not your last—it's more about learning and finding what suits you as you improve.
Q & A
Why does the speaker recommend starting with an electric guitar for beginners?
-The speaker recommends starting with an electric guitar because it generally has lower action, meaning it's easier to press down the strings, which reduces finger pain and frustration for beginners.
What does 'action' refer to in the context of guitars?
-'Action' refers to the distance between the strings and the frets on a guitar. A lower action makes it easier to press down the strings and produce clear notes.
How does the size and shape of an electric guitar contribute to its playability?
-Electric guitars are usually smaller and have a more ergonomic design with contouring, making them more comfortable to hold and play, especially for beginners.
Do beginners need an amplifier to play an electric guitar?
-No, beginners don't need an amplifier. An electric guitar is loud enough to be heard for practice without one, and it's also quiet enough not to disturb others.
What are the advantages of using technology like computers or iPads with an electric guitar?
-Technology allows beginners to plug their electric guitar into devices like computers or iPads for effects, recording, and practicing without needing a traditional amplifier, offering more flexibility and creativity.
When should someone consider starting with a classical guitar instead of an electric guitar?
-Someone should start with a classical guitar if they are specifically interested in playing classical music, such as Bach or Villa-Lobos. Classical guitars have softer nylon strings but a wider neck, which can be harder to play for beginners.
What are the drawbacks of learning on a budget acoustic guitar?
-Budget acoustic guitars often have high action, making them difficult to play and leading to frustration. The speaker advises avoiding cheap acoustic guitars because they can cause beginners to struggle and give up.
What is the role of a guitar setup, and why is it important?
-A guitar setup involves adjusting the height of the strings, the neck bowing, and other elements to make the guitar easier to play. It is crucial for both acoustic and electric guitars to ensure better playability, especially on cheaper models.
Why is it important to try out different guitars before purchasing one?
-It's important to try out different guitars because each guitar feels different in your hands, and playability is personal. Choosing a guitar that feels comfortable is key to enjoying the learning process.
How should beginners approach buying their first guitar?
-Beginners should view their first guitar as a learning tool, not a lifelong investment. It's more important to choose a guitar that is comfortable and easy to play, understanding that they will likely upgrade after gaining experience.
Outlines
🎸 Why Electric Guitars Are Best for Beginners
In this paragraph, Justin introduces the main idea of the video: why he believes most beginners should start with an electric guitar. He acknowledges that opinions on this vary but makes a strong case for electric guitars, primarily citing better playability. He explains that the lower action on an electric guitar, especially budget models, makes it easier to press the strings down, which reduces finger pain—a common complaint among beginners. Justin warns against starting with cheap acoustic guitars, which can be difficult to play and lead to frustration and eventual disinterest in guitar learning.
🪕 Advantages of Electric Guitars Over Acoustic Guitars
Justin expands on the advantages of electric guitars, emphasizing their smaller size, ergonomic design, and how they provide a more comfortable experience for beginners. Electric guitars tend to be less cumbersome and easier to hold, while acoustic guitars require more effort, especially for beginners who might struggle with neck craning and arm positioning. He also points out that electric guitars can be played without an amplifier, making them quieter for personal practice sessions without disturbing others, yet loud enough for the player to hear.
🎛 Do You Really Need an Amplifier for Electric Guitars?
In this section, Justin addresses the common question of whether beginners need an amplifier for electric guitars. He clarifies that an amplifier is not necessary when starting out, as electric guitars can be heard clearly enough without one. He also discusses how modern technology allows guitarists to plug into devices like iPads or computers for sound manipulation and recording. Furthermore, practicing on an electric guitar without amplification is quiet enough for late-night sessions, allowing players to avoid disturbing others while still hearing their own performance.
🎼 When to Choose a Classical Guitar
This paragraph explains when a classical guitar might be a better choice. Justin notes that classical guitars use nylon strings, which are softer on the fingers but come with their own challenges, such as wider necks that may be uncomfortable for beginners. He mentions that people with larger hands might find the wider neck beneficial, but overall, classical guitars are best suited for those specifically wanting to play classical music. He contrasts his experience of starting on a classical guitar with his later discovery that electric guitars are easier to play.
🎶 When to Choose an Acoustic Guitar
Justin discusses the situations where a steel-string acoustic guitar is the best choice. He highlights that acoustic guitars have a unique sound, especially suited for folk and acoustic styles. However, he cautions against buying cheap acoustic guitars, as they can be hard to play. For those interested in playing in informal settings like parties or barbecues, an acoustic guitar may be ideal, as it doesn’t require an amplifier. He emphasizes the importance of getting the guitar properly set up to ensure it's playable, as many inexpensive models can be difficult to play without adjustment.
🛠 Importance of Guitar Setup and Budget Considerations
This section delves into the importance of having a guitar set up properly by a professional. Justin explains how a setup, which adjusts string height and neck curvature, can significantly improve the playability of a guitar, especially budget models. He suggests that a cheaper guitar with a good setup can often be better than a mid-range guitar without one. This advice applies to both electric and acoustic guitars, but he notes that cheaper acoustic guitars are particularly challenging to play without proper adjustments, making it worth investing in a setup service.
🎤 Final Thoughts on Choosing Your First Guitar
In the final paragraph, Justin reassures beginners that their first guitar doesn’t have to be their last. He advises them to choose a guitar that will make learning easy and enjoyable, rather than a lifelong instrument. After some experience, players will have a better sense of their musical preferences and can make more informed decisions about future purchases. He stresses that the goal of a first guitar is to help beginners overcome early challenges, such as finger pain, and to find an instrument that they enjoy playing.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Electric guitar
💡Action
💡Playability
💡Finger pain
💡Amplifier
💡Acoustic guitar
💡Classical guitar
💡Setup
💡Nylon strings
💡Budget guitars
Highlights
Electric guitar is a better option for beginners due to easier playability, especially in comparison to budget acoustic guitars.
The action (distance between strings and frets) is generally lower on electric guitars, making it easier to press down the strings and reducing finger pain.
Electric guitars are smaller and fit better to the player's body, making them more comfortable to play compared to acoustic guitars.
Electric guitars can be played without an amplifier, offering a quieter practice option that won't disturb others, especially in apartments.
Technological advancements allow electric guitars to be plugged into computers or mobile devices, offering more options for sound effects and recording.
Classical guitars, with nylon strings, may seem easier on fingers but often have wider necks, making it harder for beginners to form chords.
Steel-string acoustic guitars are ideal if you want to play folk or Neil Young-style music, as their unique sound cannot be replicated by electric guitars.
Acoustic guitars are more practical for playing in casual settings, like parties or barbecues, without the need for amplifiers.
Cheaper acoustic guitars often have poor playability, making it harder for beginners to progress and increasing the likelihood of giving up.
A professional setup for any guitar, acoustic or electric, can make a huge difference in playability, even for cheaper models.
A setup involves adjusting string height and neck bowing to make the guitar easier to play, and can transform a cheaper guitar into a more playable instrument.
Electric guitars are more likely to be playable right out of the box, whereas budget acoustic guitars often require setup adjustments to be playable.
Beginners should not feel pressured to buy an expensive guitar initially, as their first guitar is often just a learning tool to understand preferences.
Thinner strings on both electric and acoustic guitars can make a significant difference in playability, especially for beginners.
Choosing a guitar is a personal decision, and beginners should physically try out different guitars in stores to find one that feels comfortable.
Transcripts
hi how you doin Justin here and in this
video I want to explain to you why I
think it's better for most people to
start off on an electric guitar now you
might have heard different there's a lot
of people a lot of different opinions
but what I want to explain to you is the
reasons why I think an electric guitar
is better for most people and the cases
where it isn't where you would be better
off starting off with a steel string
acoustic guitar or a classical guitar
but I think for the majority of people
an electric guitar is a much better
option now the first reason that I think
this is important is for overall
playability okay on an electric guitar
usually the action is a lot lower now
the action is the distance between the
strings and the frets how far you have
to push the strings down to get the
notes nice and clear on electric guitar
particularly budget electric guitars
it's generally a lot easier to press the
strings down than it is on a steel
string acoustic guitar or a classical
guitar particularly budget acoustic
guitars it can be really really
difficult and one of the things that I
hear from beginners all the time is all
my fingers hurt when's the finger pain
gonna go away oh it's so painful I can't
practice every day and this kind of
stuff and on an electric guitar because
you have to press a lot lighter to get
the notes nice and clean in your chords
you don't get anywhere near as much
finger pain as you will on an acoustic
guitar now really high-end acoustic
guitars if you've got several thousand
pounds to spend on an acoustic guitar as
a beginner which I don't think is a
particularly good idea you might get one
that plays really easily with a really
great setup and all of that sort of
stuff but most acoustic instrument
beginner level instruments especially
the really cheap acoustic guitars and
nearly impossible to play I did a review
recently ever really cheap acoustic
guitar and I couldn't even play the
chords you know I was really struggling
I mean playing guitar for more than
thirty years and it I couldn't do it so
I wouldn't expect a beginner who's
taking their first steps on trying to
play guitar to be able to play chords
like that or and it's so easy for that
to lead to frustration you know and then
giving up or not playing as much and
then the fact that you're not playing as
much means it takes longer and then it's
just like it ends up gathering dust in
your living room you know so playability
I think is really the key factor now
electric guitars are also a bit smaller
usually you can get bigger ones but they
you
a bit smaller so they fit into your body
nicer there's less craning of the neck
if you've got an acoustic guitar you
have to look over the fingerboard which
you've got to try not to do but most
people are going to have to look at
where their fingers are going an
acoustic guitar that much further away
it's you know they're usually a bit
sharper most electric guitars they've
got a little bit of contouring here at
the back so they they feel a little bit
more comfortable acoustic guitars
sometimes you have to rest your arm up
quite high not that high probably but
you know high enough for it to start to
feel uncomfortable whereas electric
guitars it's a little flatter you know
so the overall comfort level on an
electric guitar is a lot better than for
an acoustic guitar or for a classical
guitar a pretty common question when I
say that people should start off on an
electric guitar is about an amplifier do
I need to buy an amplifier are they
going to be too loud and the answer is
no you don't need an amplifier if you're
just starting out okay the electric
guitar is plenty loud enough to be heard
and to practice on and to play without
an amplifier you can hear it's not very
loud it's got a nice personal zone so
[Music]
you can hear it plenty good if you're
just playing it without any it's not
plugged in to anything at all now
technology's come very far these days
and you can now plug into like iPads and
all sorts of stuff to be able to get
electric guitar sound you can plug
directly into your computer so you don't
need an amplifier really at all and if
you go plug it into a computer there's
all sorts of possibilities for recording
and different sounds and effects pedals
and all of these sort of toys that can
distract you for many hours that you
don't really need but are loads of fun
and that's you know that's part of the
electric guitar journey now as well as
being an advantage that you can hear it
acoustically without plugging into an
amplifier it's also quiet enough that
you could practice at night without
disturbing your neighbors so you could
be I could quite comfortably be playing
this in an apartment strumming
I can hear it fine I know what I'm doing
but the neighbors downstairs wouldn't
hear it at all they'd hardly hear it you
know I think that probably wouldn't hear
at all okay now that's an advantage
that's a way of being able to do you
practice when you want without
disturbing the family or friends or
neighbors or anyone else
but you can still hear it enough
perfectly clearly enough to be able to
hear if you're doing stuff right or not
and if you want to plug into your phone
or your to your computer or whatever
then you can start playing around with
effects and have proper electric sounds
like distortion and all of that sort of
things so that's already quite a few
reasons why I think the electric guitar
is better but when should you consider
getting an acoustic guitar or a
classical guitar so a classical guitar
I'll start off with because pretty
simple if you want to play classical
guitar the style classical guitar ie
bark or villa-lobos or whatever that
kind of thing then you probably going to
want a nylon string classical guitar now
I just said there the key difference in
nylon strings a lot of people think all
nylon strings they're nice and soft so
they're easier for beginners and there
is a little true the strings are softer
on the on the tips of your fingers when
you start out so in that way it's a
little easier personally I started out
on a classical guitar okay my first
guitar was a yamaha GT 100 I think it
was called or GA 100 something like that
and if it was fine but there are
problems with it as well so the strings
are softer great but the neck is a lot
wider okay now my only seem like less
than an inch for sure but it feels a lot
lot wider under your fingers when you're
playing it so when you're trying to get
a C chord or a G chord I remember really
struggling to play a G chord on that
guitar and I remember when I first got
my electric guitar it was like wow this
is amazing it's so easy to do that you
know usually the action isn't so much of
a problem on classical guitars but it's
often a lot higher than electric guitar
the one advantage within this aside from
the soft strings with the wider neck
some people that have got very very
large hands find it a little easier to
get the chord shapes under their fingers
on a slightly wider neck okay there are
various neck width within the electric
guitar category as well so again you
want to be gone to the store and try and
a few different guitars and fear
feel what feels comfortable in your hand
but for if you've got a very very large
hand you might find a classical type
guitar a little easier but that's that's
not the case for most people most of the
time I think if you're going to get a
classical guitar you get one because you
want to play classical music that's
really the answer when it comes to steel
string guitar steel string guitar has a
particular sound a particular quality
about it that you don't get from an
electric guitar and if you really want
to play like the focusing and Neil Young
acoustic stylee stuff or whatever you
know a folky style acoustic music then
you're not going to be an acoustic
guitar to start off with because that's
the thing you know that's where that
sound comes from you can't get that
sound from an electric guitar it just
doesn't happen
they're also obviously better if you
imagine yourself playing at parties or
barbecues regularly where you don't want
to have to lug around an amplifier and
that we did it's not the right thing if
you want to play at parties and
barbecues you want to get yourself an
acoustic guitar however you don't want
to buy a really cheap acoustic guitar
because you won't be able to play it'll
just be horrible so if you're going to
get an acoustic guitar you need to spend
a little bit more money probably twice
what you'd spend on a cheap electric
guitar so one thing that can make a
really big difference on acoustic
guitars is having a setup done now our
setup is usually done in a store or buy
a guitar luthier where they adjust the
height of the strings where the strings
are the bowing of the neck and a few
other little things that they'll tweak
to make the guitar easier to play and it
can make a huge difference you have
really huge difference so if your local
store has a setup service you might find
that it's better to buy a cheaper guitar
and have it set up than to buy a mid
price or an expensive guitar that's not
set up often the chief of guitar with a
good setup will be better will sound
better play better feel better will be a
better all-round instrument so really
that's something that you want to
explore it works the same for electric
guitar electric guitars can also be set
up for most of mine get set up you know
every couple of years or so but in the
beginner market for electric guitars
they usually find kind out of the box
they you can usually make them better
with a set up but they'll be playable
out of the box where as a cheaper
acoustic guitars they just really they
don't work
'chief acoustic guitars there's too many
things if their actions too high it's
too easy to get disheartened and give up
some you know my my really strong
opinion is that if you if you're just
starting out on guitar you're not really
sure what you want to do get an electric
guitar because it'll serve you well to
start off with if you really want to
play classical guitar by a classical
guitar if you really love the sound of
acoustic guitar you love acoustic music
and you think you're gonna might be
playing at parties or barbecues or
whatever then an acoustic guitar is
probably the way to go however you want
to buy not buy the cheapest cheapest
acoustic guitar that you can find buy
one slightly above that and spend some
extra money on getting a set up it's one
of those things again where shopping
online is not as good as shopping in a
local store so just so you know this is
not the I'm gonna do a whole video about
what to look for when you go to buying a
guitar but guitars are really personal
you really want to like it you want to
feel good about the guitar so you want
to like the look of it
wants to feel nice in your body don't
buy one because you think it's the right
one to get okay
go yourself to a music store pick them
up play them so you're gonna find some
feel better in your hands than other
ones and that's really something that's
important and again you're much more
likely to find a set up a nice setup on
a guitar if you go to a music store
they've usually got a house guy that can
do a good setup either that we just have
a look at you're on the internet for a
local luthier near you and see if you
can get a setup done that way maybe call
them first to find out how much it is so
you've got that in mind when you go to
the store to pick out a guitar you like
definitely thinner strings will make a
difference on the acoustic guitar makes
a difference on electric guitar but
again not as necessary on acoustic
guitar you probably want thinner strings
on there as well for a lot of people
buying their first guitar is a very big
decision but one thing that you ought to
bear in mind as well is that your first
guitar is not likely to be your last
guitar okay so if you get into playing
guitar you're probably not going to
stick with the same one after a year or
two so you can often think of the first
guitar as like that's what you're going
to cut your teeth on that's where you're
going to get over your finger pain and
learn a bit about what it is that you
like because it won't be your first
guitar and if you think of it that way
buy the best guitar for being a beginner
on and then after that in a year's time
you're going to know a lot more about
what music you like what sound you like
what things you couldn't do you
played some of your friends guitar you
have a more informed opinion when you go
to the music store because you will have
been playing a bit you've got some songs
under your finger so you can go and play
a few more different guitars in the
store and see what it is that you feel
the most comfortable with so I think
that's a really important thing to
remember as well you're not buying a
guitar that you're gonna be stuck with
forever okay you're buying a guitar
first of all to learn on okay and to
learn on you want something that's nice
and easy that's not going to force you
to give up because it's too painful on
your fingers right it's it's really
really important this stuff I think and
this is why I'd recommend that you start
off with an electric guitar hopefully
this will help you on your debate and if
you want any more information all of
this stuff i've talked about in this
video and a bunch more is over on the
website so that go and check it out it's
in the first part of the beginners
course hopefully you'll enjoyed this and
I'll see you for plenty more very soon
you take care of yourselves bye bye
関連動画をさらに表示
The Problem with CHEAP Guitars
SEJARAH DAN ASAL USUL GITAR YANG TIDAK DIKETAHUI BANYAK ORANG‼
Epiphone LP100
30 Day Beginner Challenge [Day 1] Guitar Lessons For Beginners
COME REGOLARE L'AMPLIFICATORE per CHITARRA, settaggi equalizzazione, come funziona | Tutorial
Guitar Pedals For Beginners - In Less Than 10 Minutes
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)