teaching kids to play

Dandoline

Hey all

Just wondering what age should you teach a child to play guitar and keyboard? My son is 4 and is always asking for a guitar and his birthday is comming up but would he be too young for one?

thanks in advance

Dandoline.

boycey

I think if he's keen then yeah, time to give him a try.
My friend teaches violin, using the suzuki method. She teaches from 2yrs and upwards. As nippers they're given little dummy violins to learn how to hold them right, how to position their bowing arm etc. before moving on to real violins as things progress. I find it fascinating, as do the kids!
That teaching practice has been adapted for different instruments, including guitar. Look it up.
If I could offer one bit of advice, dont buy him a real piece of crap to try and learn on. Most of us playing years can't knock a tune out of those things, let alone a kid starting out. I'm not advocating spending a ton but dont go for a toy masquerading as an instrument. My friend, the violin teacher, picked up a real nice kids accoustic for her daughter, I love playing it! I'll find out the brand and price if you want?

To summarise: no, hes not too young:o

Rigsby

I'd say if a child of any age shows an interest in music in any way, then they should be encouraged as much as possible. Lots of great musicians took up their instruments at the same age as your son.

Dandoline

Hi guys

Thanks for the advice.

Boycey if you could find out that would be great..

Thanks a mill

Dandoline xx

Dave Total

Definately encourage your son as much as you can. A 1/4 Classical guitar might be a good place to start as they are small and the nylon strings would be easier on his fingers. So that might be a way for you way to get started.

boycey

Hi dandoline,
my friend got back to me - its a 'gypsy rose' model, which I believe are made by SX. Google 'gypsy rose accoustic guitars' - they seem to be aimed at girls, though they do come in black as well. They are 7/8 size though which might be a bit big for a four year old.
Dave Total's sugestion might be a better solution for your four year old.

Seziertisch

Definitely, get them started. Even if it is just something that they practise for 15 minutes every day. If and when they happen to discover a real desire to play at a later age (though they might already have it) they will thank you. Even if they lose interest in it, learning a musical instrument brings so many benefits in terms of brain/motor-skills development that it is worth it nearly for that alone.

Red Sleeping Beauty

Never spend a huge amount of money on a guitar for a kid that can't play and you're expecting will take to lessons.