Electric Guitar for Beginners 2024: The Ultimate Guide

Introduction

Learning to play the electric guitar can be an incredibly rewarding and enjoyable hobby. This comprehensive guide aims to provide everything you need to know as a total beginner starting out on your electric guitar journey in 2024.

From choosing the right beginner electric guitar and amplifier, to essential accessories and online learning resources, we’ll cover all the bases to get you playing your first riffs and songs in no time.

Electric guitar opens up a whole world of musical possibilities. With the ability to access a huge range of tones and effects, the electric guitar has become an iconic instrument across countless music genres. From rock and blues, to pop, metal, and more, the sounds of the electric guitar permeate popular music.

Beyond just playing your favorite songs, learning electric guitar offers many great benefits:

• It provides a creative outlet and a unique form of self-expression through music.

• It can build confidence and satisfaction as you master new techniques.

• Playing electric guitar exercises your brain, improving coordination, memory, and more.

• Jamming and playing with others is a fun social experience.

• Achieving goals during practice sessions gives a sense of purpose.

• Overall, playing guitar can be a therapeutic stress reliever after a long day.

With the right gear, techniques, and commitment to regular practice, learning electric guitar is an achievable goal for most beginners. This guide will help set you on the path to become a skilled player and unleash your inner rockstar!

History of the Electric Guitar

The electric guitar was born out of the need for guitarists to be heard over louder instruments. While acoustic guitars worked well for small venues, they struggled to compete with drums, horns, and vocals in big band settings.

Several key inventors paved the way for the electric guitar in the 1920s and 30s. George Beauchamp created a crude "frying pan" lap steel guitar using a guitar neck and a pickup that consisted of two horseshoe magnets surrounding a coil. This allowed the guitar to be plugged into an amplifier.

Les Paul took things further in 1941 when he built "The Log," a solid-body electric guitar made from a 4×4 piece of wood. This minimized feedback and allowed for greater sustain and versatility. Leo Fender refined the solid-body electric further with the mass-produced Fender Broadcaster in 1950, later renamed the Telecaster.

The 1950s saw rapid innovations in electric guitar design, including Gibson’s first Les Paul model in 1952. Signature models like the Gibson SG and Fender Stratocaster also emerged during this decade. Each had its own distinctive shape, sound and playing feel.

Electric guitar design continued evolving over the following decades. Key innovations included humbucking pickups for less noise, new body shapes and neck profiles, cutaways for upper fret access, whammy bars, active pickups, and more. Today’s electric guitars represent decades of refinements to create versatile instruments capable of countless tones and styles.

Types of Electric Guitars

When shopping for your first electric guitar, you’ll encounter different types and styles to choose from. Here are some of the key factors that differentiate electric guitar models:

Solid Body vs Hollow/Semi-Hollow

• Solid body guitars are the most common type. As the name suggests, they have a solid wood body without any internal hollow cavities. Solid body guitars produce little natural acoustic sound but are great for electric playing. Famous solid body models include the Fender Stratocaster and Gibson Les Paul.

• Hollow body guitars have a fully hollow body construction, similar to an acoustic guitar. The hollow body allows them to produce acoustic resonance but makes them prone to feedback when amplified. Hollow bodies are often used in jazz.

• Semi-hollow guitars have a solid center wood block with hollow wings. This gives a middle ground of acoustic sound without excessive feedback. Semi-hollow guitars are versatile across many genres.

Scale Length

• Scale length refers to the vibrating length of the strings. Typical electric guitars have a 24.75" or 25.5" scale length.

• Shorter scale lengths require less tension and are easier for smaller hands. Longer scale lengths can accommodate lower tunings.

Neck Profiles

• The neck profile refers to the shape and thickness of the back of the guitar neck.

• Thinner, flatter profiles are faster for lead playing. Thicker, rounded profiles provide more grip and control.

• Scale, radius, and personal preference all factor into ideal neck profile.

Pickup Configurations

• Pickups convert the strings’ vibrations into electrical signals. Common configurations:

  • Single coil: Bright, focused tone. Two common types are Fender-style and P-90.

  • Humbucker: Thicker, higher output tone. PAF-style and active pickups are humbuckers.

  • H/S/S: Versatile mix of single coil and humbucker pickups.

  • H/H: Heavy rock and metal tones. Two humbuckers.

• Pickup placement also affects tone. Bridge pickups sound brighter than neck pickups.

Choosing Your First Electric Guitar

When choosing your first electric guitar, there are a few key factors to consider that will impact your learning experience and enjoyment as a beginner player.

Budget

First, determine your budget. Electric guitars can range from under $200 for basic starter models to over $2,000 for high-end professional instruments. As a beginner, you’ll want to look in the $200 to $500 range for a decent quality guitar that will suit your needs.

Some good budget-friendly options under $200 include Squier Bullet, Epiphone Les Paul Special II, and Yamaha Pacifica 012. These are very playable and reliable beginner electric guitars.

In the mid-range of $200 to $500, excellent options include the Squier Classic Vibe and Affinity Series, Epiphone Les Paul 100, and Ibanez GRX70QA. These step up the quality with better electronics, hardware, and attention to construction.

Body Style and Feel

When trying out potential guitars, pay attention to the body shape and size. Consider a double cutaway style for easier access to higher frets. Also look for a contoured body for comfort, lightweight wood for reducing neck dive, and smooth fret ends.

The neck profile, scale length (distance between nut and bridge) and width at the nut are also important for playability. Test different neck shapes and widths to find one that fits your hand size and playing style.

Brands/Models for Beginners

Some top electric guitar brands for beginners are Epiphone, Squier by Fender, Ibanez, Yamaha and Jackson. Within these brands, some popular and recommended models include:

• Epiphone Les Paul Special II
• Squier Affinity or Bullet Stratocaster
• Ibanez GRX70QA
• Yamaha Pacifica 012
• Jackson JS Series Dinky

Go to a guitar shop and try out a variety of shapes, sizes and brands. Consider ordering online after testing models in person. And get a professional setup on any guitar before playing.

With the right considerations for budget, feel and quality, you’ll find an excellent beginner electric guitar that makes learning fun and inspiring.

Guitar Amps

One of the most important pieces of gear for a new electric guitarist is an amplifier, also known as an amp. Guitar amps serve to amplify the signal from your electric guitar so you can hear it at an audible volume. There are a few key considerations when choosing your first amp as a beginner:

Tube vs Solid State

• Tube amps use vacuum tubes to amplify the signal. They produce a warm, organic tone and respond dynamically to your playing. However, tube amps require more maintenance, are less reliable, and tend to be more expensive.

• Solid state amps use transistors to amplify the signal. They are more affordable, reliable, and require less maintenance than tube amps. Solid state amps are a great choice for beginners. The tone is clean and accurate.

Heads vs Combos

• Combo amps have the amplifier and speaker together in one cabinet. This is the most common type of amp for beginners as it’s an all-in-one solution.

• Amp heads contain just the amplifier, which must be connected to a separate speaker cabinet. Heads and cabs allow more customization but are overkill for most beginners.

Wattage

• Lower wattage amps (10-30 watts) are great for home practice and recording. Higher wattage amps (50+ watts) are needed to play with a full band.

• As a beginner, a 30-50 watt solid state combo amp is a perfect starting point. This provides enough volume without being overpowered.

Built-in Effects

• Many amps now include built-in effects like reverb, delay, chorus, and more. This allows you to experiment with effects without buying pedals.

• Beginner amps may have limited effects, but having reverb is highly recommended for playing electric guitar. Delay and chorus are also nice to have for versatility.

Essential Accessories for Electric Guitar

Every new electric guitarist needs a few key accessories to help them learn, practice, and protect their instrument. Here are some of the essentials you’ll want to have:

Cables, Tuner, and Picks

• Instrument cable – A good quality instrument cable is needed to connect your guitar to your amp. Look for a 10-20 foot cable from a reputable brand.

• Tuner – It’s crucial to keep your guitar in tune. A clip-on tuner attaches to your headstock for quick and convenient tuning.

• Picks – Guitar picks come in various materials, thicknesses, and shapes. Try out different picks to find the right fit for your playing style. Good starter picks include Fender Mediums and Dunlop Tortex .88mm.

Straps, Cases, and Stands

• Strap – A comfortable strap allows you to play standing up and prevents dropping or damaging your guitar. Leather and wide padded straps are recommended.

• Case/Gig Bag – Get a hardshell case or padded gig bag to protect your guitar when transporting or storing it. Cases help prevent dings, cracks, and other damage.

• Stand – A guitar stand lets you safely store your guitar when it’s not in use. This prevents it from falling over and sustaining damage.

Maintenance Tools

• Strings – Keep extra sets of strings on hand for when old strings lose their brightness. Change electric guitar strings every 1-2 months.

• String winder – A string winder makes changing strings faster and easier.

• Polish – Use a guitar polish formulated for your guitar’s finish to keep it looking shiny and new. Avoid household cleaners.

• Microfiber cloth – Gently wipe down the guitar after each use to remove dirt, grime, and corrosive sweat and skin oils.

• Screwdriver set – Tighten any loose knobs, bolts, and truss rod periodically. The right screwdrivers prevent stripping.

With this essential accessory kit, you’ll be able to play your new electric guitar while keeping it protected, tuned, and maintained.

Learning Basics

When first starting out on electric guitar, it’s important to build proper playing technique and posture right from the beginning. This will help you develop good habits and avoid injury or bad habits down the road.

Proper Posture and Hand Position

Sit up straight on a stool or chair without arm rests. Avoid hunching over the guitar, as this can cause back and neck strain over time. Rest the guitar on your right thigh if playing right handed. Keep your left wrist straight and relaxed as you fret notes on the neck. Your right hand should hover over the strings near the bridge when picking and strumming. Keep a light touch and avoid "death gripping" the neck.

Fretting and Picking Technique

Use just enough pressure with the fingertips of your left hand to fret notes cleanly, without excess force. Place fingers close to the fret wire to avoid buzzing. Use alternate (down-up) picking when playing single note runs. Try economy picking (all downstrokes or upstrokes) for faster rhythmic playing. For strumming chords, use a relaxed wrist motion and let the pick glide over the strings.

Easy Songs to Start With

Some great beginner songs to start with on electric guitar include:

• "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple – Easy riff using open strings
• "Blitzkrieg Bop" by The Ramones – Simple punk chords and downpicking
• "Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes – Recognizable riff good for practicing fretting
• "Louie Louie" by The Kingsmen – Simple I-IV-V chord progression
• "Iron Man" by Black Sabbath – Slow blues riff good for alternate picking

Focus on a few simple songs first before moving on to more challenging material. Mastering the basics will build a solid foundation for skills to come.

Advancing Your Skills

Once you have the basics down and want to take your playing to the next level, there are a few key things to focus on:

Learning Scales and Music Theory

• Major and minor scale shapes – Learn the patterns up and down the neck
• Intervals – Understand the distance between notes
• Chord construction – How chords are built from the scale
• Reading chord charts – Be able to interpret common chord symbols

Knowing scales, chords and some basic theory will open up your improvisation and help you understand how melodies and solos work.

More Advanced Techniques

• Alternate picking – Strict up/down picking for speed and precision
• Sweep picking – Smoothly raking across multiple strings
• Tapping – Hammering notes with fretting hand
• String bending – Adding expression by bending strings
• Vibrato – Subtle wavering of pitch for emotion

Mastering these techniques expands your technical toolbox for faster leads and more dynamic playing.

Exploring New Genres and Styles

• Blues – B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, etc.
• Jazz – Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, Pat Metheny
• Funk – Nile Rodgers, Prince, John Frusciante
• Metal – Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, Zakk Wylde

Studying influential players in other genres improves your feel, phrasing, dynamics and overall musicianship. You may discover an exciting new style to make your own!

Pushing your abilities on the electric guitar ultimately allows greater creativity and the chance to develop your own unique voice. Be patient as you work on advancing your skills to take your playing to the next level.

Practice Tips for Beginner Electric Guitarists

When learning any new instrument, establishing effective practice habits is crucial for progress and development. As a beginner electric guitarist, how you structure your practice time will greatly impact how quickly you improve. Here are some tips to maximize your practice effectiveness:

Create a consistent routine – Set aside time each day to practice, even if it’s just 15-30 minutes. Consistency over time will breed results much more than sporadic long sessions. Try to practice at the same time each day to build a habit.

Set specific goals – Don’t just noodle aimlessly during practice. Define 1-3 specific techniques, songs, or skills to focus on during that session. Having laser focus is better than loosely practicing everything.

Start with warm-ups – Warm up your hands, fingers, and mind by playing some scales, arpeggios or other exercises before jumping into learning songs. This gets your brain and muscles engaged.

Slow it down – When learning a new riff or lick, play it slowly and deliberately at first. Don’t try to play it full speed right away. Gradually build up your speed using a metronome. Mastering it slowly develops muscle memory.

Take breaks – Schedule short breaks during your practice to avoid fatigue. Even 5-10 minutes to stretch and rest your hands can make a difference. You retain skills better with quality over quantity practice time.

Record yourself – Use your phone to record yourself playing. Compare against the original recording to critique your technique. Recording yourself lets you see tangible progress over time.

Avoid distractions – Practice in an environment without distractions like TV, your phone, etc. These hamper your focus. Give the guitar your full attention during practice.

Stay patient – Learning an instrument takes time and patience. Understand that progression is not always linear. Stick with it even when you hit plateaus. Consistent practice pays off over months and years.

Have fun! – Make sure you enjoy practice and see it as rewarding "you time" vs a chore. Approach each session with a positive attitude. Learning guitar should be fulfilling, not frustrating. If you don’t enjoy practicing, try changing your routine or music selection. Practicing guitar should leave you feeling energized and motivated to continue improving.

Resources for Self-Teaching

Learning electric guitar on your own can seem daunting, but the truth is you have a wealth of resources at your fingertips to guide you along the way. With the right online lessons, books, apps and in-person instruction, you can absolutely become a skilled guitarist even without formal training.

Online Lessons & Channels

Some of the best electric guitar lessons can be found online for free or through affordable subscriptions. Popular YouTube channels like GuitarLessons, Marty Music and JustinGuitar offer hundreds of step-by-step video lessons for all skill levels. They cover everything from basic open chords and strumming to complex soloing techniques.

Other great online lesson platforms include Fender Play, Yousician and Guitar Tricks. These provide structured, progressive electric guitar courses with feedback on your playing. You get access to on-demand video lessons, tabs, backing tracks and more to supplement your self-guided learning.

Books & Websites

There are many excellent instructional books focused specifically on beginner electric guitar. The Hal Leonard Guitar Method books are a trusted staple, taking you through all the fundamentals in a clear, easy-to-follow way. Other great options include Play Guitar in 10 Easy Lessons and Guitar All-in-One for Dummies.

Helpful websites like Justinguitar.com and GuitarLessons.com also have free beginner courses. You can find written lessons, chord charts, tablature and more. These are handy references to use alongside video instruction.

Apps

Mobile apps like Fender Tune, Music Trainer and Yousician make it convenient to practice guitar anywhere. Fender Tune is an indispensable chromatic tuner, while Music Trainer and Yousician use the microphone to "listen" and give real-time feedback as you play along to lessons. Apps are a great supplemental tool for self-learners.

Finding a Guitar Teacher

While online resources are extremely helpful for self-teaching, working 1-on-1 with an experienced guitar instructor can accelerate your learning. Try to find a qualified teacher in your area who specializes in beginners. They can correct bad habits, customize lessons to your goals, and keep you motivated. Take-home instructional materials are an added bonus. With the right teacher, you’ll be playing guitar in no time.