Should I start on acoustic or electric guitar?

Short answer

Start on the guitar that plays the music you want to play: you will practice more. An electric guitar is easier on the fingers (lighter strings, lower action) but needs an amp; an acoustic is simpler and plays anywhere. Either way, the chords and skills carry over.

Updated 31 October 2026 · Written by the Fretwork team

Acoustic and electric compared

	Acoustic	Electric
Easy on fingertips	Harder: heavier strings, usually higher action	Easier: lighter strings, lower action
What else you need	Nothing	An amp (or headphones/amp modeller) and a cable
Example starting cost (US)	Fender FA-125 Dreadnought, $199.99	Guitar about $200 + Fender Frontman 10G amp, $89.99, or Mustang LT25, $179.99
Practice quietly	Moderately loud	Very quiet with headphones
Best for	Folk, pop, singer-songwriter, campfire songs	Rock, blues, metal, funk, lead guitar

Prices are the manufacturers’ US list prices (fender.com), checked October 2026.

How to choose

List five songs you want to play. If most are strummed songs with vocals, choose acoustic; if they are riffs and solos, choose electric.
If finger pain worries you, an electric (or an acoustic with light strings and a setup) helps most in the first month.
Avoid the cheapest guitars with high strings: a setup at a guitar shop makes any guitar much easier to play.

Gear guides: best beginner acoustic under $200, do you need an amp?, best strings for beginners.

Go deeper

Acoustic vs. electric guitar: the full comparison →The full roadmap →

Questions

Is acoustic harder than electric?

Slightly, for the fingers: acoustic strings are heavier and sit higher. Musically they are the same instrument, and skills transfer both ways.

Can I learn electric guitar without an amp?

You can practice unplugged, but it is very quiet and you will not hear your tone. A small practice amp or a headphone amp is enough.

Should I start on classical guitar?

Nylon strings are the gentlest on fingertips and suit children and classical or fingerstyle music. The neck is wider, which makes some chords a longer stretch.

More questions about learning guitar

How long does it take to learn guitar?With 30 minutes of practice a day, most people play their first full song in about 6 weeks, play comfortably as a beginner (songs, riffs, a simple solo) in about 5 months, and reach intermediate in about 11 months.Which guitar chords should I learn first?Start with E minor, A minor, E, A and D: they use two or three fingers, and the shapes are related, so learning one helps with the next.Should I learn guitar with an app or a teacher?Most beginners do well starting with a structured app or online course, which costs $0–$20 a month, and booking a few lessons with a teacher to check posture and technique.Can adults learn guitar?Yes.How should kids start learning guitar?Most children can start guitar at around 6 to 8 years old, on a guitar sized for them: a 1/2 or 3/4 size with nylon strings is easiest on small fingers.Should left-handed people play guitar left-handed?Either works, and many left-handed people play right-handed guitars well.How much should I practice guitar?Twenty to thirty minutes on at least five days a week is enough for steady progress.

Follow the roadmap, one step a day

Fretwork turns these stages into short daily lessons, each with a check at the end. The first two stages are free, with no card.

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