"Should I learn to play guitar on electric or acoustic?"

By far, this persistent question wins the 1st Place trophy in the "Most Commonly Asked Beginner Questions" contest. But who can blame you for wanting to get started off on the right foot? Your first guitar is not only a big investment, but it can also affect whether or not you choose to stick with your new hobby.

By now the experts have all weighed in and it seems that, unfortunately, there is no real consensus winner in the perennial acoustic vs. electric battle. If we had to pick an answer, we'd say get both! But seeing as this isn't a realistic financial option for many people, let's explore the pros and cons of each.

How They Work

Acoustic guitars rely on acoustic methods (rather than electronic amplification) to project sound created by vibrating guitar strings. When the strings on an acoustic guitar vibrate, they drive the soundboard through the bridge and cause it to vibrate as well. The soundboard's vibration produces sound waves which cause air within the hollow body of the guitar to resonate. Sound is eventually projected through the sound hole. Because no energy is added to increase the volume of the sound, acoustic guitars do not actually amplify any notes. Instead, only the intensity of the sound is heightened - energy remains constant.

Electric guitars, unlike their acoustic counterparts, rely on electronics to amplify and alter the sound produced by string vibrations. All electric guitars rely on components called "pickups" to convert the physical vibration of the strings into an electric current. With the help of an amplifier, this current is re-processed and made louder. Amplifiers can also alter the current in other ways to produce a variety of special tone effects, such as reverb and distortion.

So, you've made up your mind, right? No? Well then, let's talk about...

Ease of Play

If we say that electric guitar is easier to play than acoustic, we don't mean that electric makes it easier to be a great musician. Instead, most electric guitars are easier to play only from a technical perspective - simply because the strings are lighter and closer to the fretboard. Since the pickups are doing most of the work on an electric guitar, it doesn't take much strain or effort to produce bold, clean tones.

On the other hand, acoustic guitars typically come outfitted with steel strings that may be more difficult for a beginner to press and hold down. The downside of this discomfort is finger pain and frustration; the upside is strong, dexterous fingers and increased accuracy. Don't be intimidated by the thick heavy strings of an acoustic guitar. If you can get comfortable with them (and believe me, like hundreds of thousands before you, you will), electric guitar will be a breeze.

Acoustic guitars are notorious for their ability to cover up mistakes or muted strings, while any problems you have on an electric are going to be much more obvious and pronounced. For a beginner, this could be a Catch 22. On one hand, you don't really have confidence in the way you sound, which can be frustrating. On the other hand, you are forced to learn proper technique and can get all of your fundamentals dialed down perfectly before moving on.

Sound

A big difference between electric and acoustic guitars is the range of sound they can produce.

Acoustic guitars have a warm, resonant and friendly tone. Folk, blues, classic, country, and jazz musicians have utilized this instrument for decades with great success. If you are interested in playing any of these styles of music, the acoustic guitar could be your new best friend.

Because of their electronic amplification, electric guitars don't have just one standard sound. Depending on the genre of music you're playing, you can adjust settings to create different tones for different purposes. Electric guitars can even switch tones entirely in the midst of a song with help from pedals and effects boxes. If you enjoy harder rock or have any interest in playing lead guitar, electric guitar is likely to be your weapon of choice.

Cost

Thanks to the overwhelming popularity of the guitar (and with a little help from capitalism), there are both acoustic and electric guitars that meet a wide range of price points for budgets both big and small. Price shouldn't be a limiting factor that makes you choose one type over another.

That being said - you get what you pay for. You may want to go with a cheap $100 electric or acoustic starter kit if you're unsure of your dedication, but many people recommend aiming your sights a little higher. After all, it's hard to take your practice seriously when you're playing a guitar that sounds like it was bought from the toy store.
 
Either way, the cost of your first guitar can be low or high depending on your situation, but price alone isn't going to help you narrow down acoustics vs. electrics.

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is that the best guitar for you is going to be the one you enjoy playing most. That means taking into account the type of music you listen to and what you desire to play. Depending on your overall goals and personal preferences, either option could be considered the right choice.

So how do you make the final decision? Head on over to your local music store (bring an experienced guitar teacher along if you want even better advice), and start testing out some of the different instruments. No amount of reading and thinking is going to substitute for the feeling you get when you're playing the right guitar. So, get out in the field and take the hands-on approach - you'll find that the dreaded "beginner's dilemma" isn't the indomitable obstacle you once thought it to be!