[PatP]

The other morning I heard my three year old son strumming his play guitar and singing a song from his favorite movie. This got me wondering, what is a good age to get a child interested in learning to play the guitar? I would love for him to get interested and learn to play (if this is something he wants) and would gladly pay for a decent guitar and lessons. But I don't want to push him too soon or have it turn into a toy that gets unused. What are some of the experiences that people here have had with getting a child involved in music?

[Jove d'Ark]

Cheers, and agreed.
Teaching Children can be the most pleasurable vocation but generally turns to frustration for Both Teacher and Child because Parents Fall down on Thier resposibilities and do not fully commit to the process.

[martinukulele]

Originally Posted by bluesguy

There are some music 'toys' you can get a child to encourage musical interest. Basically they are things like xylophones, a simple flute or recorder. Don't spend much money. When they do something with it just praise them.

Our 11 year old son is learning to play drums and he wants to learn how to play piano. Our 9 year old daughter wants to learn to play the flute & piano. I imagine we will be buying a used upright piano this year and hiring a teacher to come in and teach them once a week.

My 14 year old son started playing flute in his school band when he was 9. He had a good teacher and was motivated. (We bought him his own student model flute.) He actually asked for a piccolo for Chritmas a couple of years later. He has done well and for the past 3 or 4 summers he has attended summer "band camp" at a local community college for two weeks in July. Last summer was his last as a camper since he was entering high school, so he was asked to return this summer for 4 weeks in July as a "teaching assistant". It's a volunteer position for first year participants. He will be helping the younger kids and playing in the band to add some strength in the flute/piccolo section. So encourage your daughter and praise her playing. It really helps to motivate them. Highly recommend student models from: http://www.gemeinhardt.com/

[Mr. Sinkhole]

I have a lot of friends who started playing piano and guitar when they were very young, and have evolved into great musical talents. I myself have often felt like I've been playing catch up this whole time.

But, there is an interesting little detail. Those musically-trained-since-they-could-walk friends of my don't seem to be getting the same enjoyment out of playing music as I do. A lot of them complain about recitals and stuff, I just go, "Dude, I would LOVE to do that."

Starting way early is a mixed blessing, in my book.



Gibb/Sink

[sustain66]

Give the three year old a child size guitar. Teach him that it is an instrument and that he can't slam it around. Your example of how you respect the instrument should be enough. Let him make all the sounds he wants. Teach him a little at a time. I wish I had someone to give me a guitar when I was three.

[cshude]

We'll see how my 6 1/2 year old son goes. I just got him a 3/4 strat and he'll go about 5 minutes at a time before he loses interest/fingers hurt too much.