Q&A for How to Learn to Play Electric Guitar

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Question

Should a beginner buy an electric guitar?

Ron Bautista
Professional Guitarist & Guitar Instructor
Ron Bautista is a professional guitarist and guitar teacher at More Music in Santa Cruz, California and the Los Gatos School of Music in Los Gatos, California. He has played guitar for over 30 years and has taught music for over 15 years. He teaches Jazz, Rock, Fusion, Blues, Fingerpicking, and Bluegrass.

Ron Bautista

Professional Guitarist & Guitar Instructor

Expert Answer

Yes, especially if you'd like more creative freedom. Electric guitars have much larger ranges than typical acoustic guitars. Electric guitars can have up to 22 or 24 frets, which allows you to hit higher notes and explore different octaves. Use this to your advantage and experiment with playing chords and scales in higher registers to get the most out of this awesome instrument!

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Question

What is easier to learn, electric or acoustic guitar?

Community Answer

The early stages of learning the instrument are pretty much the same. Most people start out with an acoustic guitar because it's the most basic guitar. But if the electric guitar is what you really want to play, and you don't want to waste money on a guitar you don't really intend to use, then just buy an electric guitar.

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Question

How do you read notes?

Community Answer

If you have trouble remembering the notes, a useful tip is the old EADGBE: Ed Ate Dynamite, Good-Bye Ed. If you have trouble tuning or remembering the sound of the notes, strum each string for one verse over and over. Slowly progress to a faster pace until you have the right speed and rhythm for the song you are playing. If you have trouble reading, you can either teach yourself to learn by ear, or get a good and experienced teacher to teach you the basics of guitar notes and how to read them.

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Question

Can I do this on an acoustic or classical guitar instead?

Community Answer

Yes, but some of the techniques may not be as effective.

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Question

It is hard to use so many fingers and continuously move them on the strings up, top to play notes. What can I do?

lucy

Community Answer

Practice a lot. If you are still finding it difficult after around a month or two, then get a teacher (if you can afford to. Try using different techniques (e.g. the hover technique, where you hover over the next fret you are going to fret).

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Question

I know nothing about playing guitar. I can't read notes or understand how anything works. I really wanna learn how to play, but can't get a teacher and i can't pay for online classes. What do I do?

Liora

Community Answer

You could try going to your local library and looking for a book on learning how to play an electric guitar.

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