Acoustic or Electric????

[Essthreetee]

Which is easier to learn on?? Acoustic or Electric GUITAR??

My 7yo daughter wants to learn the guitar and I am going to buy her one (Rondo)...just trying to figure out if I should go the acoustic route like This one (wish they had a natural Short scale) or an electric package like This one (she picked out the vintage white)

What do you all suggest...I am looking into local teachers currently...but I want to know which way to go for the instrument....

My preference would be the electric...I guess the cool factor...but I want what is best for her to be successful.

Thanks in advance.

[IanStephenson]

Electric.

Lower action, thinner strings, slimmer neck - definate +factors for a 7yo girl.

Also it's easier to knock out some power chords and make quick progress (though you'll need to make sure a teacher covers solid fundamentals, and not just the fun stuff).

It's also fun to be LOUD.

On the other hand, just let her try both out and see which gets her excited - if the thinks it's fun, then she'll play... If not it'll be in the attic by easter.

Ian

[Phalex]

Guitar?? As in six string?? I would definitely go acoustic for a first instrument. It's less money as you won't need an amp, and if you get good on the acoustic, you will be very good on electric.

[Deacon_Blues]

She will initially hurt her fingers on an electric since she's not used to press down such strings, meaning the skin is very thin. It will take a few weeks of pain for the fingers to adjust to the strings. If you go for an electric, make sure the action is set very low to minimize the forces needed to press down the strings.

Classical (nylon string) acoustic guitars are the easiest ones on the fingers, and they're available in smaller sizes too. I started on a classical and moved on to electric later. I got quite a lot of pain in my fingers when I started on the electric despite the fact I had been playing classical guitar for a couple of years before that. Steel string acoustics are generally the toughest ones for your fingertips...

Classical acoustics are also quite cheap. You can easily find a decent model for $100, where you only get a crappy electric for the same money. And you still need the amp.

I vote for a classical acoustic.

[Pilgrim]

I have two daughters, and I can assure you that the key is to find out which one she WANTS to play. Show her the pictures and let her choose. Logic is NOT part of this decision, it's really dependent on her emotions. What you or I or any adult cares about is not only irrelevant, it's probably going to get in the way of her making a choice.

I've BTDT with daughters and musical instruments.

[Slowgypsy]

I agree with Pilgrim. SHE wants to learn the instrument.... what does SHE want to play? She's old enough to have an opinion. FWIW, if you do go the acoustic route, do check out the Baby Taylor guitars. They might be more money than you're wanting to spend... but.... although they're short scale, small bodied, initially meant as a real quality instrument for smaller folks (children) they have become popular as adult travel instrument.... which means lasting utility as well as re-sale value. Anyway, something to think about if acoustic is the route... which I personally think is the way to go.