Guitar for 11 year old - need advice

ddlong

Hi there. I want to get a guitar for my 11 year old but I need some advice. Can he can use a normal adult-sized guitar or is there a smaller size of guitar that would suit him better ? A few years ago we were given a small child's guitar as a present, but I think it's more of a toy than anything else as I tried to tune it a few times but it doesn't hold the tune even 1 minute. Thanks.

paligulus1

ddlong wrote: »

Hi there. I want to get a guitar for my 11 year old but I need some advice. Can he can use a normal adult-sized guitar or is there a smaller size of guitar that would suit him better ? A few years ago we were given a small child's guitar as a present, but I think it's more of a toy than anything else as I tried to tune it a few times but it doesn't hold the tune even 1 minute. Thanks.

If I was to start learning again, I would get myself a Ukulele. They are really easy to fret and you can get a really good one for the same price as an entry level guitar.

However, if it must be a guitar, get them an electric guitar. Something like an Epiphone and a Boss Microcube for an amp. I used to give guitar lessons years ago and the kids with electric guitars found it so much easier as the action is much easier. The kids with acoustic guitars really struggled and got frustrated with it.

Best of luck with it - I think all kids should learn music

feylya

Get him a full size electric. Set a budget for a new guitar and then spend it on a second hand one. You'll get a much better instrument for your cash then. Plus, you can sell it on for most of the money spent if guitar playing doesn't work out.

As paligulus said, pick up a microcube too. About €100, it doesn't go terribly loudly at full volume but is loud enough to satiate the budding rockstar's need for volume. Additionally, it covers a wide array of amp styles and effects so it should cover the basic needs.

Don't forget a strap, cable and plectrums!

Lessons aren't definitely necessary but could be useful. That said, the internet is an endless well of information. YouTube has some decent stuff that can help out if you've blown the budget on a guitar and amp.

paligulus1

You could do a lot worse than this:
http://www.thomann.de/ie/roland_micro_cube.htm
http://www.thomann.de/ie/epiphone_lp_special_black.htm

218 yoyo brand new - and it'll sound good too.

feylya

Wouldn't be so fond of the Epi Special. Stretch a bit more and get an Epi Classic. They're actually not dreadful.

Of course, the Yahama Pacifica is the Boards.ie Instruments forum go to beginner guitar

ddlong

Thanks for all the advice. I hadn't even considered an electric guitar to be honest but now you've given me food for thought. I tried to teach myself guitar years ago but found that I could only manage a few of the easier chords and I eventually gave up. If some of you reckon that an electric guitar is easier to learn than an acoustic, it's something I might consider. Having said that, my son is a quiet boy, not particularly into loud music, but I must look into both options further (and also the option of a ukelele - I've never even held one!). Thanks again.

Meehanmeehan

paligulus1 wrote: »

If I was to start learning again, I would get myself a Ukulele. They are really easy to fret and you can get a really good one for the same price as an entry level guitar.

If I asked for a guitar and my parents got me a ukelele, I'd sue my parents.
Ukeleles are not musical instruments.

Go to ADVERTS and buy something cheap with a small amp. You can always reserve the right to buy your son a better guitar when he practices enough.

OR buy a cheap nylon string guitar. I got mine about 2 years ago for €65 in Waltons and I'm still perfectly happy with it. You can also reserve the same right as before of not buying an electric till he's practiced enough on the nylon.

In fact I'd recommend buying the nylon over an electric. I started with an old acoustic that was pretty rough on the fingers but I'm glad I did.

fizzyorange

Electric is definitely easier to play, I have tiny hands and always found the with the electric it's a lot easier on the fingers.

You could always have a look at a starter pack in X Music. Few years ago got my first electric, a Fender Squier, with a small amp, some plectrums and a strap for around €200 I think. It's perfect for beginners and I still use mine.

paligulus1

Meehanmeehan wrote: »

If I asked for a guitar and my parents got me a ukelele, I'd sue my parents.
Ukeleles are not musical instruments...

I couldn't disagree more - Uke is a great instrument and a perfect instrument to learn as a stepping stone to guitar. There's no bad instruments, just bad players.

Connavar

I do like the ukelele but I would still be horribly dissappointed if I asked for a guitar and got a uke.
Very different instruments when it comes to musical styles

Ghost Buster

Meehanmeehan wrote: »

If I asked for a guitar and my parents got me a ukelele, I'd sue my parents.
Ukeleles are not musical instruments.

Go to ADVERTS and buy something cheap with a small amp. You can always reserve the right to buy your son a better guitar when he practices enough.

OR buy a cheap nylon string guitar. I got mine about 2 years ago for €65 in Waltons and I'm still perfectly happy with it. You can also reserve the same right as before of not buying an electric till he's practiced enough on the nylon.

In fact I'd recommend buying the nylon over an electric. I started with an old acoustic that was pretty rough on the fingers but I'm glad I did.

What a bizzarre statement

Bluesphere

You can get 3/4 sized squire strats in xmusic for around €170 if you're stretching that much,also don't be afraid to look on adverts.ie,there are some bargains on entry level guitars there for around €60.

martinedwards

kid wants a guitar?

buy a guitar!!!!

Ukes are fun, but if you want to play smoke on the water...... or anything other than George Formby's hits, which you kid will not know, then get a guitar!!!

Nowadays, pretty much all electrics can be set up to be playable. the same cannot be said for acoustics, especially at the budget end of the market.

ask him what kind of music he wants to play and buy accordingly.

but go full size.

a squier strat can be had for vary little, especially used, and a multi effects unit like a zoom 505 can be had for pennies off ebay.

OK, they aren't studio quality, but you can plug headphones in and practice in SILENCE.....

as a parent of 4 kids who play drums, keys, cello, flute, guitar, banjo, mando and bass guitar, I KNOW the value of silent practice, believe me!!!

BostonB

Get something he likes, then he'll play it. Especially if theres a connection with a favorite band or something.

ddlong

Thanks for all the advice.

He hasn't specifically asked for a guitar, but has said he'd love to take up a new instrument (plays piano already). I felt a guitar would be a good one to learn as you can play so many different types of music with it. He's only 10 so no particular tastes in music yet. With an electric guitar, can you only play rock/metal etc ? The reason I ask is that I think he'd be more into lighter music (Pop/Irish, general stuff in the charts).

Excuse my ignorance but want to make an informed decision ! Thanks.

BostonB

Electric guitars are used everywhere pop, blues, jazz country.

Lot of guitar based pop and rock in the charts at the moment.

ddlong

That's good to know BostonB.

Martinedwards, just wondering - as some of your kids play banjo, is it any easier to learn than guitar do you think ? My son mentioned banjos and fiddles as other instruments he'd like to try but I have no experience of either. Thanks.

martinedwards

my #2 son is 14.

he started on Piano lessons at 6, then cello at 8.

I caught him with guitars at about 10, just before he took up the drums......

now he plays bass, tenor banjo & bouzouki too......

personally, I play guitar and bass, and fiddle around with mandolin, tenor guitar, and octave mando. I have a 6 string banjo tuned like a guitar.....

one truth of music, once you master one stringed instrument, the next is a lot easier to learn.

I find that playing mandolin really helps my guitar playing......

tenor banjo (4 string) is more logical than 5 string (the one with the tuner halfway up the neck)

as to STARTING with banjo, I'd say that unless you are a family of folk mad Chieftans & dubliners fans then a guitar, especially an electric would be a better bet.

just be prepared to have to buy a bigger house to keep all the instruments in!!

DavidWills

A junior spanish guitar is a good start. It will help them with stretching when he migrates to a normal guitar and it's usually cheaper

hulkey

If your son suggested maybe a fiddle or banjo, I would go with one of those

As the guys here are saying, if they asked for a guitar and got a ukele they'd beat someone over the head with it

Going with that idea, if I asked for a fiddle and got a guitar, I think I'd be as disappointed

What I would do is ask him what he would prefer, suggest a guitar as an option, electric or acoustic

If he likes the idea of guitar, go with that, its very rewarding to play, and its probably the most versatile instrument in existence

Also, it's pretty much designed to be easy to play, so if your son sticks with it, he will get results quickly