Guitars for Little Ones...

Sometimes I get inquiries asking about teaching 6 or 7 year olds.  Most people want to know if that is too young.  Typically what I find is that it's not as much about the age as it is about their attention span, willingness to practice, and fine motor skills.  I have taught several 6 and 7 year olds and have even taught a student as young as five before.

However....

When teaching a student that young, sometimes their hands are just not big enough to play a regular size guitar.  In fact, most of the time I wouldn't even recommend starting to learn on a full size unless it is evident that the student can play on one.  So, what to do?

Let me recommend a few guitars for little guys and gals....

1. Let's start with the guitar my son uses.  Seth is 7 and started playing just before his 7th birthday.  Last year, someone gave him a Washburn Rover Travel Acoustic Guitar  which is working out really nice for him.  Below is a picture of Seth rocking the Washburn!

It is great for students with small hands.  Obviously with the small guitar body, you are not going to get the sound of a full size acoustic, but it is very playable.  And at this age, that is much more important! 

2.  The Yamaha 3/4 Size Acoustic Guitar .   This is one that I have had several students use, and it has been great.  As you can see in the title, it is a 3/4 size guitar, so it is smaller that a traditional.  It also has  a more traditional shape as opposed to the Rover.  It is a great little guitar that I recommend.  Due to the lower price and more traditional shape, I would have to give this one the slight edge if you were to recommend one over the other. 

3. Fender mini Strat.  This is for those who want to start rocking an electric guitar at an early age! I have also had several younger students use this guitar and it has worked great for them!  If Guitar Hero has inspired your child to want to play...well, this is probably the one for them :)

Click on images below to get more info at Amazon.com. 

  
                               


I am sure there are many other options out there, I am only mentioning the ones that I have had good experiences with.  If you have any questions, feel free to shoot me an e-mail!

Take care,
Steve
www.guitarlessonswylietexas.com