Best age to start playing guitar

Ph3n0m

My little one (10 yr old) is keen to learn the guitar - is she of an ideal age to start learning or should I put her off for one more year?

Mr. CooL ICE

Well, lisa simpson is almost a virtuoso on the saxophone, and shes 8.

But theres nothing wrong with learning guitar at that age imo. It can be great for her development, but make sure she doesnt give it up easily. But on the physical side of things, a 10 year olds fingers should be more than capable of handling a short scale classical guitar, but nothing more than that, id say.

D!ve^Bomb!

AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!! man i wished my ma had a guitar in the delivery room waitin for me!

goin'_to_the_PS

from my limited knowledge i would say the earlier (with in reason) the better

Doctor J

Age is irrelevant IMO, if she is keen to learn, then that's the right time.

Drapper

My bro started last year and he is 9, he really is getting the hang of it ! My opinion is as soon as you can hold a guitar and fingers can cover the neck of the guitar you should start also an interest in the instrument is vital.......

Ph3n0m

aye and the only problem is she is left handed - yay for shops that charge more for left handed guitars


and on that side note - can anyone recommend any guitar teachers/schools within the City Centre - and please recommend some that you have first hand knowledge of

Paligulus

Just a quick point on the left handed thing. I write with my left hand but I play a right guitar so you might want to check that before you go forking out!!!

On the whole age thing. If she learns anything now it will stand to her when she gets more into listening to music as she gets older. If she gets some basic concepts learned now it'll be far easier later on.

Oh and fair play to you for not buying a poly pocket or something!!!

Ph3n0m

Paligulus wrote:

Just a quick point on the left handed thing. I write with my left hand but I play a right guitar so you might want to check that before you go forking out!!!

She was given a standard acoustic for her birthday last year - but she says it feels weird when she tries to hold it - she has expressed more comfort playing it left handed style

ferdi

then dnt force her to play r/h, that is christian brother schooling madness!

Doctor J

Hendrix style restring on the acoustic shouldn't be that big of a deal to tide you over until you can get a proper leftie guitar.

Ph3n0m

Doctor J wrote:

Hendrix style restring on the acoustic shouldn't be that big of a deal to tide you over until you can get a proper leftie guitar.

You lost me after restring - thought you couldnt do that with a right handed acoustic - given that the sounds would be off due to the build of the guitar, even if it was restrung for a leftie

well you should definitely encourage them to learn as early as possible, kids before their teens are like sponges, they just take in everything, it means that they can learn at a quicker pace, the only problem is that they have to be enthusiastic too.

Gandolf

yeah the enthusiasm one is double edged though...i started learning classical when i was 10 even though i was brought up on a diet of ac/dc, twisted sister, sabbath etc. so 3 years later i was bored to hell of it, brought an electric and my enthusiam levels went through the roof. But i have to say the classical training has benefited me throughout my playing career and i'd never be without it...but it sucked at the time!
Hope this makes a bit of sense...

I wuld've loved to start classically, it provides so much more all-roundedness but there's no way i'm going to pick up classical after 3 years of playing.
I Don't think there's a best age, but there's a best time, and that's as soon as possible!

feylya

I would to have loved to have started four years before I did. Although, my musical tastes are only know expanding so I have to wonder how much use it would have been to start playing...

Nidge

ah emmet don't say there's no point in picking up classical now. My guitar teacher decided he should pick it up after 20 years of playing!! Now he is amazing at it, and he is all-rounded. It benefits your playing in every way, just saying don't let "it's too late now" be the reason for you not starting classical guitar. It's never too late. Ah mister Miyagi style quotes flying left right and centre.

Eoin Madsen

Thomas Brunkard does lessons somewhere in the city, not sure if it's city centre exactly. Nice bloke, really knows his shtuff, and a fabulous guitarist. http://www.thomasbrunkard.com

disgruntled

Eoin Madsen wrote:

Thomas Brunkard does lessons somewhere in the city, not sure if it's city centre exactly. Nice bloke, really knows his shtuff, and a fabulous guitarist. http://www.thomasbrunkard.com

I've been getting lessons off Tom for about a year now and I have to say its really helped my playing a lot. I'd definitely recomend him to anyone looking for lessons.

Oeneus

Be careful not to pressure her too much. If it becomes something she has to do instead of want to do, it might end up making her hate it.

Also, getting her lessons in classical guitar could actually bore her to death as previously mentioned.

Find out from her what kind of things she wants to play. Let her learn songs which she likes.

But it doesn't matter how old you are, by the time you're sixteen you're going to wish you started earlier, even if you started at 6 years old.

bombidol

yeah dude, just restring the badboy upside down. its not going to make a huge difference to the guitar.