First off, congrats on your decision to start learning to play a musical instrument. Music will change your life forever. That said, you’ll be happy to hear that there’s no wrong answer. You can learn on either acoustic or electric. Both have six strings. They both have a long neck that’s divided into sections by pieces of metal called frets. They’re both tuned low to high EADGBE in standard tuning. The notes are the same. The scales and chords you learn on one can be applied to the other. Some techniques and approaches to playing vary, but the fundamentals are the same, and whether you choose electric or acoustic you will be amazed at the progress you can make in a short space of time. There are some differences however. These are a few things you may want to consider.
Feel
The main difference between playing an acoustic and electric guitar is how they feel. Acoustic guitars are bigger and bulkier and the strings have more tension and are higher than on the electric guitar, so they’re harder on your fingers. Electric guitars are typically smaller and easier to hold and the strings feel softer under your fingers. But it’s important to understand that everybody feels some finger pain or discomfort in the beginning. No matter what type of guitar you start on, your fingers will eventually toughen up and they won’t hurt anymore. The big and bulky acoustic guitar will sit on your lap very differently to the slim and contoured electric guitar. However, electric guitars are much heavier than acoustic guitars. Acoustic guitars come in a wider range of sizes. This is important because it’s essential that you pick a guitar which is appropriate for your body size, especially when selecting a guitar for a child. A child trying to play a full-size acoustic guitar may struggle to reach the fretboard. Another difference in the feel is that there is less space between each string in an electric guitar, so cords can feel more difficult to play. The space between each string is wider on an acoustic, so when it comes to learning chords, you have lots of room to put your fingers.
Complexity and Versatility
Another important difference between an electric and an acoustic is that one can be amplified and the other can’t. Acoustic guitars are great for beginners as they are simple, easy to use and have all you need to get started. There are no complications, what you see is what you get. The acoustic guitar is a great starting point as you don’t have to worry about learning about accessories or plugging it into anything. However bare in mind, that due to their simplicity, acoustic guitars are limited to one sound, you cannot add effects to an acoustic guitar. Electric guitars are a lot more versatile when it comes to sounds. As you have an external amp, there’s a huge opportunity for sound expansion. Most amps have a clean channel and a distortion channel, so instantly you have more tone options than an acoustic. You can also enhance your sound by adding effect pedals to your guitar sound. The advantage to the simplicity of the acoustic guitar is that all you need is the guitar and you’ll have your sound with you. You don’t need an external amp for it to be heard. The electric guitar without the amp won’t have any sound.
Cost
The rule of thumb is that an electric guitar will be more expensive than an acoustic guitar. In addition to the guitar you will need accessories like an amp and the guitar cable, which will add to the cost.
Type of music you are looking to play
This is probably the most important factor when making your decision. Technically, you can play any style of music on any type of guitar. But each style of music tends to work better with a specific type of guitar. Think of your favorite artists and your favorite songs, and go with the type of guitar they play. Many times when you first start learning to play an instrument the hardest part is to make yourself practice. So make sure you pick the guitar that inspires you and that you will want to play. If you love what you're playing, you’ll have more fun, and you will practice more. If you still feel like you’re really stuck, try not to worry. There’s always another guitar. If you think an acoustic guitar is the right way to go now, but love rock music and the tones of an electric guitar, you can always get one later. Same thing goes for an electric guitar. You may want to try electric now, and eventually try the more melodic sounds of an acoustic. Whatever you decide, one thing is for sure, playing the guitar or any musical instrument, is very rewarding and expands our minds and spirit in infinite ways.