[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?

[allthumbs]

One of our members, Ultimate Garage Band, has a guitar business that specializes in first time guitar buyers. He also teaches so he can probably give you a good idea of the right guitar and right time for a child to start playing.

[PatP]

Thanks!

[Ultimate Garage Band]

First off, opinions will vary, but this is *my* take on kids and guitars.

I am a dad of three kids all under the age of 12 so I'm very familiar w/kids.

I teach kids guitar for a living so I'm familar with that aspect of it.

I think 3 is far too young for 99% of the kids out there. There's always one or two that will do it, but there is a criteria of 'musts' that a child needs to have to play guitar:

1. Enough physical strength to fret a note on a 3/4 scale nylon string guitar. Many 7 year olds can't do this.

2. Enough maturity and desire to know that there is discomfort in learning to play guitar. The fingers hurt. Will the child keep doing something that hurts for the benefit and reward of learning to play? That's a fairly mature behavior. This quality is rare under the age of 7 too. Many don't get past this as teens or adults.

3. A parent or guardian that will initiate and supervise practice on a daily basis for at least 15-20 minutes. That means the adult commits to be with the child the whole time, guiding and effectively being the teacher outside of the lesson format. Little kids will not do this on their own and it can take years before they actually take ownership of the practice routine.

4. They need an instrument of measureable quality that they can comfortably hold. My daughter is 8 but is quite small for her size in height and she has a bit of a belly that keeps the guitar body too far away from her. She's just got a body type that's going to have to get taller before she can play.

Reflect on those and I'm sure others probably have something to say.

[PatP]

Thanks for the info. That is exactly what I was looking for. I had an idea that 3 or 4 was too young for learning to play, but I was wondering when was a good time. I don't want to try and push him when he is not ready, so I was looking for some experience in the matter. Thank you very much!

[bluesguy]

Originally Posted by PatP

Thanks for the info. That is exactly what I was looking for. I had an idea that 3 or 4 was too young for learning to play, but I was wondering when was a good time. I don't want to try and push him when he is not ready, so I was looking for some experience in the matter. Thank you very much!

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.

[WernHalen]

David,

I tend to disagree on one thing with you. If you buy any type of instrument spend a little money. The quality of tone produced from one of these instruments actually help to train the child ear to hear the pitches better. I am not saying that you should get the most expensive instrument but at least make sure it gives a precise pitch. Off pitch instruments can make you lazy, especially if you want to play an instrument like a trumpet, violin or fretless bass or even sing one day.

Spend a little more, get a lot more. MHO

[goldengirl]

i think he was talking about not spending alot on the first instruments for the younger kids between 3- 7..and then invest a lil more when they are able to appreciate the instrument for what it is, and have the attention span to actually sit down and learn from a teacher.....i agree totally with praising any and everything they do as children as far as music. i can remember my son getting out the pots and pans and banging on them as a toddler, he and i would ahve a great time, now he has learned to play several instruments and still plays drums to this day. Children that have a musical talent tend to be better rounded and have over all better grades. as a child i was always exposed to music and i have always encouraged my kids to be interested and explore thier talents.

gg

[Nem]

I think the most important thing for young children and guitars is let them have fun with it. I personally would let them take the instrument up if they werent interested, and even if they were, i wouldnt make them take lessons for it. sure youd want them to be learning but at that young age you dont want to bog them down with learning how to do something which for them should be fun. your have your whole life to master theory and technique afterall

[dantalbot]

My son started at 8 years old. I got him an inexpensive Strat copy & small amp. He's 11 now, still at it, (and quite good too), and has invested, (with help!), in upgrading his gear some. I don't push him, and he learns things at his own pace & has fun with it. I wish my parents had done that with me.

Dan

[WernHalen]

I agree goldengirl, I was not trying to be negative I just wanted to point out that ear training or ear straining can start at a very young age...

I know of a couple of people (two actually...) who has been teaching their kids guitar from around 3 years old. I really dont think that this is very helpfull to the childs guitar playing, but if the teacher is someone like a parent with a lot of patience it will strengthen the ties between the two. The attention span of a three year old is not such that they will learn any theory or anything substantial anyway. It must ofcourse be fun as well and the child needs to want to do it.

My son is 19 months old, keeps near perfect timming while clapping his hands and loves to play his toy guitar... He takes me by the hand everyday when I come home and tkaes me to my guitar. I then have to play a song or two for him before he is content and we can play...He fiddles with my guitars all the time, and we have decided to buy him a strat copy of about 1/2 size when he turns three, if he is still interrested in playing.

[Misty2u]

This is a very interesting topic and I think any kind of musical instrument for kids is great as it teaches them co-ordination and trains their ear to pick up different notes. My little girl is fascinated whenever I start playing/practicing and always wants to try it out for herself. She is almost 8 years old and I was thinking of getting her a junior nylon acoustic as they are not very expensive and it would be great if she got interested in it. She'll probably end up teaching me..!!

[8LU3]

yeah, being a kid myself, i would say start them when they feel comfortable. ask if he [i]wants[i] to do it, and if he does, set it up, but if he's never going to play, its not worth the hassle. make sure you give him encouragement too, don't be like my parents and just ignore my playing, and never make him pay for all his equipment, that's just harsh...

[BENharperROX]

I started at 20...

[WernHalen]

Ben, I started at 18... on my own terms and conditions. I wish my parents pushed me to do it. (in a good way...) I believe children should be pushed to do things, but when you push them you should be able to do the same and do it with them and dont allow either of you to quit... Even if you only give encouragement from the side. You always need to be there, but that's just my opinion.

I must add though, it should have been their idea to start... Dont push things they are not interrested in onto them...