| So you've chosen to take up the guitar. Good | | | | enjoy rock music--metal, modern, alternative |
| for you! Now comes the hard part: which | | | | and otherwise? Then chances are a hollow-body |
| guitar is the best to start playing on? Well, | | | | electric guitar is a wise choice. If that is |
| the answer to that question depends on many | | | | the case, you will also want to purchase an |
| things. It depends on what kind of music you | | | | amp. But what if you like rock music that |
| enjoy listening to, what kind of music you | | | | makes use of both acoustic and electric |
| are looking to play, and what kind of level | | | | guitar? Then perhaps a semi-hollow body |
| you wish to reach--amateur or professional. | | | | guitar is the best choice. Or maybe you don't |
| | | | like rock and instead enjoy country or mellow |
| Before we go over each topic, let us first | | | | music. Acoustic or Acoustic-Electric guitar |
| discuss the differences between Electric and | | | | is then your best bet. |
| Acoustic guitars. | | | | |
| | | | What Kind of Music Do You Want to Play?: |
| The main difference between an Electric and | | | | Maybe you're a big rock fan, but would rather |
| Acoustic guitar is the fact that the Electric | | | | learn to play mellow, acoustic-based songs. |
| must be plugged into an amplifier in order to | | | | That's perfectly fine, and if that's the |
| be heard loudly, while the Acoustic can be | | | | genre you wish to play, you definitely want |
| played and heard without the use of an amp. | | | | to pick up an Acoustic or Acoustic-Electric |
| This is because Acoustic guitars have sound | | | | guitar. It's also possible that you're a big |
| holes, which produce the sound. Electric | | | | fan of acoustic-pop but want to start playing |
| guitars, on the other hand, don't have a | | | | rock & roll. Do yourself a favor and pick up |
| sound hole and are thus known as | | | | a semi-hollow or hollow body guitar. |
| Hollow-body's. Electric hollow-body's can be | | | | |
| heard by the people playing them, but are | | | | What Level Do You Wish to Achieve?: Are you |
| inaudible to others without the use of an | | | | just taking up the guitar for recreational |
| amp. Additionally, there are Electric guitars | | | | purposes and not looking to form a band or |
| with the ability to be played both | | | | master the instrument? The Electric guitar is |
| acoustically and electrically because they | | | | probably a good choice. This is because |
| have little sound holes. These are known as | | | | Electric guitars are much easier to start |
| semi-hollow bodies and are very versatile | | | | playing on than Acoustics are. Electrics have |
| because they can sound one way unplugged and | | | | thinner strings (which are easier to start |
| another way on an amp. Finally, there are | | | | playing on) and, when plugged into an amp, |
| some Acoustic guitars, known as | | | | allow room for error. Beginner mistakes can |
| Acoustic-Electric's, that can be played | | | | be easily covered up with Electric guitars. |
| acoustically or on an amp. However, these are | | | | However, you cannot expect to make mistakes |
| very different from semi-hollow bodies, | | | | and be a pro. Acoustic guitars do not cover |
| because they sound pretty much the same | | | | up your mistakes at all--if anything, they |
| unplugged or plugged--the only difference | | | | highlight them. You are forced to play songs |
| being that the Acoustic-Electric when plugged | | | | correctly and master techniques the right |
| into the amp. | | | | way. The learning curve of an Acoustic is |
| | | | steeper, but you will reap the rewards if you |
| OK, now that we've briefly gone over the | | | | master it. A transition from Acoustic to |
| different types of Acoustic and Electric | | | | Electric guitar will be incredibly easy, |
| guitars, we can now move on to the criteria | | | | whereas a transition from Electric to |
| for choosing a guitar. | | | | Acoustic guitar will be a bit harder. |
| | | | Thinking about what you want to accomplish on |
| The Music You Enjoy Helps You Decide What | | | | the guitar is a big factor in your decision. |
| Guitar to Buy: Let's start off with the first | | | | |
| topic. Obviously, those who enjoy listening | | | | Well, there you have it. After you think |
| to a certain kind of music are most likely | | | | deeply about the above topics, you should be |
| going to want to play it on guitar. That is | | | | able to decide what type of guitar to get. |
| why you must take this into consideration | | | | Once you've made that decision, you'll |
| when looking for a guitar. Choosing the wrong | | | | probably want to check out our articles on |
| type of guitar could lead to frustration and | | | | "Choosing the right Acoustic guitar" and |
| giving up the instrument all together. Do you | | | | "Choosing the right Electric guitar". |