Acoustic vs Electric

[juskikinit]

I've heard the electric guitar is the easier to learn on. Can anyone please elaborate on this for me and tell me their opinion?
I want to get a guitar for my 9 year old son, but want to make sure before I proceed.
Thnaks!

[Jammer]

No difference technically. Both use the same theory. Electric typically has a smaller neck and the strings do not take quite as much pressure to get a "clean" sounding note. Thats about it i think.

[ilikejazz]

Yeah acoustic is somewhat more difficult to hold the strings down for a beginner.  If it's an adult starting out for the first time, acoustic is not a bad place to start since it strengthens the hand quite a bit more, but it's certainly not mandatory for success.  I didn't learn that way.

[juskikinit]

It's actually for my 9 year old son. I went with the acoustic and he does have trouble holding down the strings even with the nylon ones. Time will tell.
Thanks for the replies.

[Jammer]

Yeah acoustic is somewhat more difficult to hold the strings down for a beginner.  If it's an adult starting out for the first time, acoustic is not a bad place to start since it strengthens the hand quite a bit more, but it's certainly not mandatory for success.  I didn't learn that way.

I have to agree with ilikejazz. i think your son will ultimately benifit from the required pressure in the long run.

[ilikejazz]

Nine is pretty young.  I'd go to the guitar shop and have them put the lightest gauge acoustic string they can on your son's ax.

[Jammer]

Or you could file the skin from his fingers until a nice callus appears.

If, of-course, he can stand the pain!

Oh what musicians go through to gain a bit of perfection!