The Journey to Mastering Electric Guitar: An Intermediate's Guide

Understanding the time it takes to learn the electric guitar, especially if you're an intermediate in acoustic, can be a bit tricky. There isn't a strict timeline because it's highly dependent on your practice, how well you practice, and how quickly you absorb new concepts. The playing aspects, whether you're playing acoustic or electric, remain largely the same. However, the strings in an electric guitar are generally softer, and there are a plethora of effects options available. So, the main factor is your interest and commitment.

Believe it or not, starting with an electric guitar can be a lot of fun, and it's quite different from the acoustic counterpart. Many beginners think learning to play the electric guitar would be tougher than playing an acoustic guitar. However, it's actually the other way around. The action distance of an electric guitar's strings from the fretboard is much less than that of an acoustic, which means you need to press the strings harder, a skill that you develop with an acoustic guitar. Therefore, it's highly recommended to start with an acoustic guitar to build a solid foundation before transitioning to an electric guitar.

Why Start with Acoustic?

While the strings on an electric guitar are generally softer, the act of pressing the strings still requires a significant amount of strength. When you first start learning, you'll notice that it's easier to press the strings on an electric guitar. However, this can sometimes lull you into thinking that it's less challenging than the acoustic. Eventually, you'll need to build up the strength in your fingers to achieve the right press, a skill that comes naturally when you start with an acoustic guitar. This foundational skill is crucial when transitioning to the electric guitar.

Transitioning to Electric Guitar from Acoustic

Now that you are at an intermediate stage in playing the acoustic guitar, you can comfortably take on the electric guitar. Your hands and fingers are already accustomed to playing, making it an easier transition. The learning curve may take anywhere from a year to a year and a half, but this can vary based on your daily practice and dedication. The main difference in playing electric guitar lies in the skills and techniques you'll need to master.

Mastering Electric Guitar Skills

One of the primary reasons why people perceive the electric guitar as more challenging than the acoustic is the additional skills and techniques involved, such as thrashing, hammer-on, pull-up, slide-up/down, etc. However, it's not the inherent difficulty of these techniques that makes the transition tough; it's the mindset you bring to these new skills. Learning these techniques on an acoustic guitar can be challenging because the action of the strings is much stiffer, making it harder to execute hammer-ons and pull-offs. Those skills become much easier on an electric guitar.

While it's possible to master hammer-ons and pull-offs on an acoustic guitar with patience and practice, the sound and the physicality of executing these techniques properly on an acoustic can be different. The main challenge lies in the hand pressure required to produce the desired sound, which can be significantly higher on an acoustic guitar.

Starting Your Electric Guitar Journey

Since you are already at an intermediate level in the acoustic guitar, you have a solid foundation to start your electric guitar journey. There's nothing more exciting than starting to explore the world of electric guitar and playing different styles of music.

With a bit of dedication and a willingness to practice, you can easily transition and become proficient in playing the electric guitar. Once you start, you'll be switching from the 'calm mode' of the acoustic guitar to the 'rockstar mode' of the electric guitar. So, keep on playing, get your electric guitar, and start jamming with your friends. If you need any guitar recommendations, I can share my and my friends' experiences and preferences with you.

So, go ahead, play, and rock that guitar! Have fun and enjoy the journey.

Peace!