Play Rock Guitar with an Acoustic Guitar
Play Rock Guitar with an Acoustic Guitar
Article by Steve Henson
Many guitarists think that you can only play rock guitar on an electric guitar but you can use an acoustic guitar for playing rock guitar too. Some of the best guitarists in rock have used guitars for some of their classic songs. From Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits to Pete Townsend of The Who, to Neil Young up to Nirvana unplugged and Green Day.
Similarities and Differences Between Acoustic to Electric
Playing an acoustic guitar is similar to playing the electric guitar but requires some slightly different techniques. The strings are harder to hold down than on an electric guitar. You would find that going from an acoustic to an electric that the strings are much easier for you to hold down. It can help build up your left hand strength.
Play More Chords
Usually you pick or strum chords on an acoustic. You don’t just play power chords all the time. It can help you get used to chord changes and playing different picking and strumming patterns. Bringing these techniques and chords back to the electric when you <u>play rock guitar</u> can add more to your skills and your repertoire.
Getting Sounds on an Acoustic Guitar
On an electric you can get different sounds with different settings on an amplifier or by using guitar effect pedals. On an acoustic you have to pick or strum lighter, harder or faster depending on what mood you want. You really notice the differences that pick attack makes on acoustic strings.
If you can make different moods and sounds on an acoustic you can do anything on an electric to make the same sounds. Strumming fast on an acoustic can give the same energy and heaviness that a distorted electric guitar can.
How the Acoustic Can Improve Your Rock Playing
Adding playing an acoustic to your rock guitar playing can make you play rock guitar much better. It can add colour and moods and soul to your playing. It can bring in new influences which you might never have considered making your guitar playing much more interesting to the listener and you.
By the way Neil Young wrote Heart of Gold (his only US no.1) on the acoustic because he had a bad back. He couldn’t play the electric and he had to play an acoustic sitting down. He would never have written if he didn’t have to play rock guitar on an acoustic guitar because of his back. Something else to consider when choosing whether or not to get an acoustic.
About the Author
If you play rock guitar and want to get an acoustic guitar then go here to find out the five things you need to check before you buy an acoustic guitar to play rock guitar.
