How to Sound Good on Acoustic (for electric guitarists)

For publisher-quality tabs & backing tracks of this lesson:
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Sound Tools Used in This Vid:
Eastman Acoustic sweetwater.sjv...
Akg C414 condenser mic sweetwater.sjv...

[@disjanpampoen]

Now do the opposite! How acoustic guitarists can sound good on electric.

[@clayatube]

Yes, please.

[@SJMadrid11]

I made that leap and it was a long, humbling experience. So much to learn.

[@DeplorablePepe]

YES!!! 👍👍👍👍

[@innocentoctave]

These are some of the most purely musical lessons you will find on KZbin for the guitar player.

[@FloAnnie9]

💯 I'm in love. Have been thinking about TrueFire for a while. Going to pull the trigger. Eric, you had me at Ohh La La, then Only Living Boy sealed it. I've never played much Croce, but that was an excellent lesson. And "The capo is not a crutch" LOL!! When I play with others it just adds an extra voicing to put on a capo and have at. (I will transpose the chords on the fly. Kinda fun! Sometimes a challenge!) Great job! Instant fan 💙💙

[@garmacintyre]

Babe, wake up - Eric Haugen just dropped a new vid.

[@kane6529]

Babe wake up deez nutz r on ur chin

[@haakonlenzi]

Can you do one for acoustic players picking up electric guitar? Im coming from a country blues fingerstyle and bluegrass flatpicking background. After 6 yrs I got an electric, it’s so fun and somedays I feel like a bad ass, but so much of what I do doesn’t translate and the beginner content out there also isn’t for me. Anyway, either way, you rock man. Love your videos and vibe all the time. Thanks so much.

[@Mtn603]

Eric, I’ve been watching this channel since the wee early days. Can’t recommend your channel enough. The perfect format, such a great mix of concept and execution.

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Thanks for being here for the whole journey!

[@eljoel89]

And sometimes you put a soundhole pickup in your acoustic, run it into a DS-1 and your Fender Twin, and play some Bowie.

[@ericbell812]

Another fantastic lesson - Only Living Boy in New York is one of my all time favourite songs.

[@DrTWG]

Simon is such an incredible songwriter . To write even one at that standard would be incredible ! Hard to pick 'favourites' . I do like 'Richard Corey' , 'Blessed' , ' A Most Peculiar Man' , ' So Long FLW' , 'Have a Good Time' ... inter alia - too many !!

[@gregpendleton4957]

This man’s playing is beautiful.

[@oMIKsen]

I am so looking forward to the "from acoustic to electric guitar lesson". And thanks for this one. Your lessons keep me hanging on ;)

[@__bam]

Another great video sir and as always great song selection. I've just fairly recently learned double stops and this vid came at a great time for me. I've got to learn that first finger vibrato you do. Very cool and not nearly as easy as it looks. The sound on your mix is always seriously good. Love to see how you do it. Just a thought.

[@ManCub583]

What if your an acoustic player wanting to sound better on electric? Every time I play electric it sounds so muddy!

[@RyanHeitz]

This is great. I always cringe when my favorite electric guitarists play an acoustic as if it's an electric.

[@RyanHeitz]

Also, check out Moby Grape's song '8:05' for similar concepts that you teach in this lesson. Great song.

[@michaelkhorsandi8623]

This video makes my Friday.

[@bruceterrell9287]

Your song choices are impeccable!

[@CoreyZ232]

I’ve always loved that Operator line. So beautifully played! Thank you, Eric!

[@crimfan]

“Your Cheating Heart” is a great one. Love those licks on that.

[@festussyet]

Thank you, God blessed 🙏😇

[@alexloubsky232]

I know you don’t LOVE singing along to your playing, but I think you’re probably really good at it. Having trouble singing and playing at the same time in a band setting. HALP (in the form of a monetized video)

[@scottl5935]

I was just trying to record something on my electric guitar and it went absolutely nowhere. Thank you for this..a lot of great tricks here and amazing song choices 🙏

[@trinity95624]

Be patient and wait for space if you are looking for lessons from Eric. He is an excellent teacher and well worth the wait.

[@Mr.PhatsVarietyVibesShow]

How come this dude plays so well? I can't figure it out

[@JonNewquist]

Ugh, I've been playing acoustic for 46 years. Only picked up electric with real interest the past 8 years. I sound like an acoustic player on electric...

[@raycharlebois122]

What a terrific video, Eric. Not just teaching how to play a song, not that I'm saying that's all you normally do, but drawing instructive high level conclusions and showing us how you arrived there, with great song selections and great playing to demonstrate. By the way, I totally love Ron Wood, too, especially his work with the Faces.

[@jrpipik]

My early teacher was terrific, but he had a blind spot (and inculcated in me a blind spot) about capos. Adopting them much later expanded what I could do and how good I could sound doing it enormously.

[@stephenbrumlow931]

Maury’s playing was absolutely perfectly paired with Jim Croce. Both gone too soon. Eric, Some great insight here into the sweet sound of a tasteful acoustic part. Maybe delve into the acoustic workings of Ry Cooder and George Harrison? Definitely two of my favorites!

[@FloAnnie9]

If up voting is a thing here, yes, please!! It took me piecing three videos to get Here Comes The Sun!

[@davidg5629]

That's a neat-o guitar. When I bought an acoustic, thought I wanted a dreadnaught. It hurt to throw my arm over it. Screw that.

[@FloAnnie9]

I have a dreadnought that I will not trade for the world! And I play it somewhere in between a lap steel and perpendicular to the ground. It really is sideways because I just can't get my arm around the sucker! But it's a cedar top and Rosewood back and sides. A beaut. I have a friend that has got an 814 CE and he bought a Lowden last year. I see him on a semi regular basis but we play music together when we go to the mountains with a group of friends. He keeps looking at me going, man, I keep buying these guitars... and yours still sounds better!😅 I honestly think it's the cedar top and the Dreadnought. Having said all of that, the Eastman is sweet!!

[@AM2PMReviews]

Now I only hear “this ain’t Texas” with that acoustic D chord.

[@maxt774]

Hey Eric! I love your vids! I’ve been on a big acoustic kick the past few weeks so this vid was perfect! What do you think of David Gilmour’s acoustic soloing say like on Wish You Were Here? He seems to play acoustic the way he plays electric but somehow he still makes it sound great!

[@paulburnside6312]

As always, huge smile on my face throughout the video. Thanks brother

[@alanpalma5111]

Love the capo is not a crutch bit! Too many folks afraid of using useful tools.

[@FloAnnie9]

Not this Chica 😉 I love the validation 😁

[@denomdemon]

Your place is so verdant!

[@fp.chattanooga]

I love that you made this video.

[@gyanissimo]

Hello Eric, which acoustic guitar course should I book with you via Patreon if I want to play something like that? Gyani

[@dimitrispapadopoulos9245]

First buy 1000 dollar guitar. Then learn to play only on this guitar. Then A great mic. Then sell the guitar and work to buy a better guitar cause u thought u would play better on Martins.

[@lanceparker9867]

Do you have a favorite DI Box for live acoustic performances? Thanks

[@CakewalkHootenanny]

I just found you last night. Where have you been all my life? We have much catching up to do.

[@colindrew1173]

Hi Eric, thanks so much for your spiritual style of presentation. I'm an old player who let it slip the past 10 yrs and you have inspired me to take out my old D28 far more regularly. Also, what made me take notice was your down to earth approach but also, the tone you get. You make it sound so effortless.

[@FloAnnie9]

The tone is so sweet!

[@danintrocaso]

Hi eric...dan o here..just subbed..didn't take but a minute! Thanks

[@victorjones8699]

acoustics sound great when you let stuff ring but with electric it gets wonky

[@GuillermoGuzman-nm8nb]

Hello sir! What acoustic guitar did you use in this video?

[@twangmeister]

Can't wait for the 'flip' video.

[@Shredberry]

@6:42 If We Can't Bend?!? Aite bet...😏

[@HarryBarry97]

Hi Eric! do you have a whole lesson on only liv8ng boy in new york?

[@elvismemphisgs]

What Make & Model Is That Sounds So Nice

[@SandauxBeats]

That's a very good sounding acoustic guitar.

[@putmeinthemovies]

What guitar is that? An Eastman Parlor?

[@thg705]

Love that Eastman!!!

[@aloysiusdevadander19]

What guitar is that. I'm in love

[@MrTracyspark]

Name of ooh la la video cant find it pls

[@PoPo-xp7yk]

next Truefire course please!

[@sweetnsourchick1761]

Beautiful job on "Operator", Eric! So clean! I only wish that my playing sounded 1/10th as good as yours. 👏 👏

[@vorschmack]

The best, the chillest, the most informative at the same time - as usual if Eric drops a lesson you know you're in for a quality moment! Question for Eric - have you ever heard Mk.gee? I've discovered him just this weekend and I'm fascinated by his approach to being musical with a guitar (really in line with your own philosophy too!). I wouldn't be too surprised (but delighted for sure) if you make a lesson on him one day!

[@uberjam-sam8512]

Great lesson as always

[@scottkidwell3601]

My high school guitar teacher told me if I could make an acoustic guitar sound good, I could make an electric guitar sound good. Its fun to play both. Thanks, Eric! ✌️🍕

[@toxikprophetbeats]

started playing eletric about half year ago, just bought my first acoustic and now this video just appeared :-D thanks

[@Stevelemontrudy]

Could you make a video on how to sound good on acoustic (for acoustic guitarists)? I have both, but I find myself coming back to acoustic because it's just easier to tote around. I can take it to the woods behind my house, my back yard, upstairs, downstairs, etc. And, all I need are my fingers and a pick. Thanks for everything you do, you got me playing again.

[@AM2PMReviews]

All of this is so practical

[@makeitcount179]

Totally cool. I get traction and understanding the way you explain and demonstrate. Thanks😊

[@brucehelppie6119]

Points well made and great playing. Really enjoyed the Jim Croce ‘Operator’.

[@nicholashpng1]

Love your topical versatility and range, man. I started on acoustic guitar and moved to electric. You helped answer the many questions faced in between. 👍

[@jwilder2251]

Started as an acoustic fingerstyle player. Loved how “simple” it was to get great sounds, but the transition to electric picking took years! 😂

[@jmorrisey79]

You lose me when you say "harnonize it" and "pentatonic doublestops"

[@guryelali2359]

Sorry, I couldn’t find the details about that beautiful guitar. What is it please?

[@jimchorley]

Such beautiful feel…makes my weary heart and mind feel at peace for a while…thank you x

[@nonethelessbysignificantvi197]

Hi Eric...My new guitar hero!! A song I always loved from the 90s was Sex and Candy from Marcy Playground...I tried looking for tabs on it wish you can help me on that one

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Marty already did it! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWKZoWiNmNxomsUsi=6vC1RKZg4CCOqCsb

[@nonethelessbysignificantvi197]

@@EricHaugenGuitar ..thanks Eric, he's good sounds close enough but he's not like you...There's no tab and you're the best....I'm gonna keep trying to look for those tabs tho.. It was one of my favorite 90s tunes and I use to live in Minnesota during that time,fond memories..Cheers:)

[@brendanshi7417]

JUST WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR. Thanks!

[@aminahmed2220]

What a fantastic video have a wonderful weekend Eric ❤😊

[@richard21995]

Sounds great, could I ask what strings are you using ?

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Martin retro nickel 11s - still kinda bright for me

[@aidanearley2801]

"Coconut" was always making the cut!

[@ThibaultKV]

But you do want to sound like an acoustic player when you play the electric.

[@somenchakraborty5870]

Really awsome lessons for acoustic guys..🙂

[@macsarcule]

Thank you, Eric! ✌️😌🎸

[@migrantfamily]

Can you please do the inverse, how to sound good on electric for acoustic players?!

[@robbieg5538]

That has been my decade long struggle. Especially as a finger picker.

[@jwilder2251]

@@robbieg5538I just made that exact comment, right there with you

[@fixedgear37]

Did you watch the video?

[@migrantfamily]

@@fixedgear37 I wrote my comment before the final part because that was pretty much the first thought I had when I read the title.

[@deeforty]

Loooooovvvvveeee this guy , every lesson is awesome.

[@Dutcharmytent]

Another just brilliantly thought out lesson.

[@ScottMcdonaldMusic]

The lesson I didn’t know I needed. Awesome

[@rickfowler3710]

I got a lot from this, thank you

[@JJ-xb7wn]

Hey Eric, great vid! Can uou tell what strap you're using here?

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

I got it on Etsy like 15 years ago!

[@uhoh007]

tabs are great, thank you!

[@sterel1002]

Trop de la bombe ! Comme d'habitude !

[@4jrbirdman]

Really nice guitar!

[@bogse]

Man, you are genious.

[@makeitcount179]

Eric has great feel and sense.

[@mickcuttriss7120]

Nice Eastman Eric!

[@cliveturner2664]

Thanks Eric, terrific video and a great lesson.

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Thanks Clive!

[@rdekemper]

Great find! 🎸👍

[@spicyempanadas2738]

Love the videos!

[@johnnybumpous9108]

I like it 👌

[@MrTimdriver]

Awesome.

[@VintageGuitarClubSP]

Nice

[@jrpipik]

The principles of solid rhythm playing transfer back and forth between electric and acoustic? I haven't found that to be true. I grew up playing acoustic and had to practically relearn the instrument to play electric. Maybe a topic for another video (or have I missed that one?).

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Ooooooh I’m so curious what did you find to be the biggest difference (now I’m just researching for the next vid)

[@jrpipik]

@@EricHaugenGuitar On acoustic it's easier to let chords ring, playing in a big, open "hootenanny" style. On electric, that kind of playing is a mess. Palm muting is much more important. Also, when playing rhythm on acoustic it's normal to play the whole chord, five or six string version. On electric it's often advisable to limit the chord into just three of four notes because they usually play in a band setting. Also also, the acoustic guitarist gets used to filling up the rhythm part with strumming or picking. The electric guitarist often plays one chord per measure -- think that Steve Cropper chop on "Green Onions". Also also also, two- or three-finger power chords just aren't a thing on acoustic. Nor is the fast, muted two-string metal eighth-note downstroke rhythm (there's probably a name for that). And using effects like delay and distortion not to mention amplifiers is a whole new world to an acoustic player. (Obviously you can do all these electric styles on an acoustic, but it's also obviously not going to be the same. So most "acoustic only" players never learn them.) And all that doesn't even take into account the differences between the two instruments in terms of average string gauge or action or neck width or scale length or even weight. It's not learning how to play all over again, but it's learning a lot of new stuff and unlearning a lot of old stuff. More than you asked for, right?

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

@jrpipik these are all excellent points! You’ll get credit when I reference them in the vid ✔️✔️

[@jrpipik]

@@EricHaugenGuitar Give me another half hour and I'll write the video for you!

[@blues61]

Nicely done. Looking forward to the converse for us primarily acoustic players. Be well.

[@EricHaugenGuitar]

Fire away with your thoughts on this subject it’ll most likely end up in the vid!

[@blues61]

@@EricHaugenGuitar Well, first learn multiple ways to mute unneeded strings. Then, learn more ways to mute unneeded strings. Ha!

[@blues61]

@@EricHaugenGuitar Next, learn that thirds need to be consciously managed when playing chords.

[@blues61]

Triads are your friends, especially in an ensemble situation where another musician, e.g. the bass player, will take care of things like root notes for you.

[@blues61]

Take it easy - a softer touch on electric strings goes a long way compared with acoustic.

[@richardlynch5632]

At home, after 9pm... If the muse is still strong... Out come the acoustics and the fun starts😁👍 Love your Eastman Eric😎👍👍 😎✌👍❤🖖

[@progressivehardindustrialslug]

Stupid topic. Reversing the topic would be even dumber.

[@FloAnnie9]

Everyone's entitled to their own opinion. You are definitely the outlier here, man...

[@comedycrackhead]

Another great vid eric 👍🏽