6 Steps to Transition from Classical to Electric Guitar

One of my close friends is learning classical guitar for almost 4 years now! He just wants to branch out and wants to learn to play an electric guitar.

He tried a bunch of things to do so. If you’re also planning to transition from classical guitar to electric guitar, this is the article for you.

So, How can you Transition from Classical Guitar to Electric guitar? To switch from classical guitar to electric, one should start practicing chords and get familiar with steel strings. Learning about different picking techniques and how to use basic electric gears could help to learn electric guitar faster. Basically, to transfer from classical to electric guitar, you need to put in the time and lots of practice.

Definitely, this is not going to be like learning electric guitar from scratch but as this is a completely new instrument, you need to put in the effort from your end.

Let see, How can you make your journey more easier for you:

By any chance. If you’re still thinking, Can I transition from classical guitar to electric? You could learn and play electric guitar along with classical. although, switching from classical guitar to electric will take lots of practice. It takes time to adjust to different hand-positions, steel strings, and different playing styles.

Here’s the guide for you:

How to Transition from Classical Guitar to Electric Guitar

This is a step-by-step guide for a beginner to transition from a classical guitar player to an electric guitar player.

Step 1: Get a Nice Electric Guitar and Some other Necessary Gears

Of course, If you want to learn to play electric guitar, you gonna need one. Arrange one Electric Guitar and some gears like Amp, Picks, Tuner, Capo, and Effect Pedals.

Don’t push on your savings so much. I mean if you can’t afford, you can buy pedals and capo after you kickstart your journey. But if you can afford it, it will be great!

Step 2: Practice Chords and get Familiar with Steel Strings

Talking about the chords, everything is going to be almost the same for your fretting hand. all the chord shapes are the same in classical and electric guitar.

I remember, when I first started learning Electric guitar, I thought, these strings are just killing me! It will automatically go away, depending on how much time you’re spending practicing.

Even you know all the chords but, when you play on the electric steel strings, It will feel different. Also, on electric guitar, the distance between strings is less, so keep practicing chords until they get into your muscle memory.

Step 3: Start Using Pick and Learn Picking Techniques

Look, You can’t just play electric guitar with your fingertip like you used to play on classical guitar. You will find some people doing it but personally, I don’t recommend that.

If you really want to master more styles of the electric guitar you should get familiar with a pick. This is definitely not going to be a one-day job. But as you practice, you’ll get better at different picking techniques and this will helps you in the long journey.

First of all, If you haven’t played with a pick earlier, start from the technique to hold a pick properly. Try to learn different picking techniques like linear picking, alternate picking, and see what suits you.

I personally like the alternate picking technique. At first, I find it a little odd but it helps you to play with much higher speed. Check out our Beginners guide to hold a guitar pick in the right way!

Step 4: Learn How to use Amp and other Gears

This may be overwhelming for you in the beginning. Every time you sit for your practice session, you need to set up your amp, effect pedals in the beginning.

I understand, as a classical guitar player, whenever you want to play, you just lift you guitar and start playing your tune. But that’s not the case in electric guitar.

You have to learn about these electrical gears. learn how you can set up them, learn how you can use them in a more efficient way. And that’s where my next step comes into the play:

Step 5: Take Advantage of All Free Online Resources

Look, if you can afford one-to-one electric guitar lessons, that’s great. But if you think, you can’t afford private tution, keep reading…

In todays world, everything you want is just few clicks away from you. There are so many guitar blogs on web (Just like this one :)) where you get answer to your every little doubt.

If you go through YouTube, there you will find some great YouTube channels like JustinGuitar, Andy Guitar, EDM Guitar, and many more. If you want to know, from where I learn at the beginning of my electric guitar journey, Do let me know in the comments.

Don’t feel that, online free resources are not that great. The only advantage you’ll get from personal guitar coaching is, the teacher will guide you on the mistakes you do at that time.

But, YouTube guys will talk about the obvious mistakes that almost everyone do. This is the only downside, otherwise there is really great content about guitar is available on the web for free.

Step 6: Keep Practicing on Electric Guitar

I know, this seems to be obvious but many new players mess up this point. In the beginning, you’re dealing with finger pain, new guitar style, you have pick in your hand! Basically, you have many things going up and down.

Everything will be normal just with practice. Don’t miss your practice session just because you’re having sore fingers. Whether it’s 20 min a day or 2 hours.

Always remember, consistency is the key here. Keep practicing and you’ll master the electric guitar just like your score with the classical one.

Difference Between Classical & Electric Guitar

Classical guitar is a very old instrument. what comes to your mind when you think of your classical guitar? resonating box, nylon strings, wide neck… right?

Your nylon strings classical guitar won’t be that loud. It sounds more mellow and pleasing with a kind of balanced tone which is suited for most genres of classical and traditional music.

On the other hand, electric guitars are known for their flexibility, different upgrade paths, and the creative freedom they provide to you. Personally, I feel electric guitar an endless possibility. you get access to lots of sounds, options, and great features.

I am definitely not saying electric guitar is superior than classical guitar. As a classical guitarist, you know the value of unique tone from the high-end custom made classical guitar.

Both the classical and electric guitar are great at their own places. Both instruments are suitable for specific audience, both have their pros and cons.

If you want to learn both instruments, you definitely should. There is no rule that says, you can’t play electric guitar being a classical guitarist.

Is electric guitar easier than classical guitar?

being a classical guitarist, it is not going to be easy for you to shifted on electric guitar, as this is a completely new kind of instrument. But overall, as a beginner player, Electric guitar is very easy.

On classical guitar, you’re playing with your fingers almost all the time. If you want more sound, you need to press harder on the fret and also need to pluck strings harder.

But, In case of electric guitar, You’re mostly playing with pick. So, you can play for hours and hours without dealing with any kind of finger pain due to steel strings.

Also, If you want louder sound, you don’t need to do anything extra from your side, just turn the knob of your amplifier and you’re good to go.

Also, On electric guitar, strings are a bit closer, and also neck is narrow as compared to classical guitar. thus your hand can able reach all over the fretboard and you can play many chords and scales without putting much stress on your hand.

As you already played on classical guitar, this is going to be very easy for you, once your fingers adjust with the steel strings.

You may Like: 5 Easy Steps to Switch from Classical Guitar to Acoustic

Final Words on Transition from Classical to Electric Guitar

I hope I cleared all your doubts and now you’re ready to switch from being a classical guitar player to an electric guitarist.

I’m sure your journey is going to be awesome and you’re going to learn about music even more during this journey. If you like this article, share this with your friends and family.