Acoustic or Electric. What should beginners play?

By Grosse Pointe Music Academy Staff

Beginning guitar students are often faced with an important decision: Should they start on an acoustic guitar or an electric guitar? It’s a common debate. Some have heard that everyone should begin with acoustic guitar, while others argue that starting with electric is easier because the string tension is lighter.

The truth is, there are multiple factors to consider, and the right choice depends on the individual’s goals and preferences. Let’s break it down to help you make the best decision.

Key Similarities
Acoustic and electric guitars share the same tuning and the same number of strings. All fundamental playing techniques can be taught on either instrument. As beginner instruments, they are essentially interchangeable in terms of basic skill development.

Advantages of Starting with Acoustic Guitar

• Simplicity: An acoustic guitar requires no external equipment like amplifiers or cables. You can simply pick it up and start practicing.
• Focus on Fundamentals: Without extra electronics to adjust, students can focus entirely on learning notes, chords, rhythm, and proper technique.
• Portability: No need to haul an amplifier or search for power outlets — acoustic guitars are self-contained and easy to transport.
• Set-up: While it’s true that acoustic guitars tend to have slightly more string tension than electrics, a properly built and well-set-up acoustic guitar will feel very comfortable to play.

When Electric Guitar Might Be the Right Choice
For students who are especially drawn to the sound and look of electric guitars — especially younger students motivated by the style and energy of electric guitar playing — starting with an electric guitar may help keep enthusiasm high. However, it’s important to remember that no matter how flashy the guitar looks, meaningful progress still comes down to practicing scales, chords, and techniques regularly.

Electric guitars introduce more complexity with volume controls, tone knobs, pickup selectors, and amplifiers, which may sometimes become distractions for beginners who are still learning basic playing skills.

Our Recommendation
In most cases, we recommend starting with an acoustic guitar. Choose one that fits comfortably and has been properly set up for playability. At Grosse Pointe Music Academy, we offer a free guitar evaluation to check whether your guitar needs a professional setup — just bring it by during our regular business hours.

Students who practice consistently will quickly progress and soon appreciate the unique roles that both acoustic and electric guitars play in modern music. Starting with acoustic builds a strong foundation and makes transitioning to electric guitar smoother when the time is right.

We hope this helps you make a confident decision as you begin your musical journey!
Have questions or want to share your thoughts? Feel free to leave a comment below — we’d love to hear from you.