Giving A Child Guitar Lessons

Some parents who feel that they want to give their child every opportunity in life will think about enlisting their offspring in a course of guitar or piano lessons at an early age. This article will look at some of the questions raised on the subject of a child’s guitar lessons. Firstly there is the burning question of whether a parent’s wishes of a “good education” for their child should totally overrule the child’s natural predisposition towards play.

Giving a child guitar lessons is a great way to introduce him to the joys of music. At the same time it is a bonding experience for the family because a child does not learn the guitar in isolation. The main thing that should be guiding you and your child towards guitar lessons is your child’s enthusiasm. There are generations of adults who wince when they think of their enforced piano lessons under the eye of a grim and unforgiving teacher.

As for the question of what at what age a child can learn the guitar, many people think that three- or four-years-old is around the time to start. This fits in with the Suzuki method which has been a successful piano teaching method for many years. At what age a child SHOULD begin learning guitar is up to your gut feeling on the issue. Maybe you would even like to try teaching your child yourself. In that case start them off on simple songs or nursery rhymes perhaps focusing on the D G and A7 chords. You will need to be meticulous about keeping your child’s guitar in tune.

For a very young child guitar lessons will involve games and activities designed to help with ear training and physical coordination. The younger the child is the more the parent will need to be involved in guitar practice time. If you feel that you are unwilling or not confident of your abilities in this area then leave the guitar lessons till your child is around seven years old.

No matter how enlightened we feel that we are as parents our own preferences and prejudices will come into play when we think about a choice of instrument for our children. If you wanted to have guitar lessons when you were a child but never got the chance, then it is natural for you to want to see your child take guitar lessons. If you think that maybe you are imposing your own needs onto your child then have another think about what your child wants (if anything) in music lessons.

If your child expresses interest in a the guitar of his own volition, fine. Maybe that is your decision made for you, but you will probably find that there are opportunities in your town to take your child to check out some musical instruments close up. If you have a local brass band or symphony orchestra then take your child to recitals. Let your child take a look at guitars in a music store. If he expresses interest in electric guitars or steel string acoustics you will need to explain that he should start off on a nylon string acoustic till the tips of his fingers get toughened up.

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