What's best for a very young beginner?

[SoloBill]

Hi all,
Do you have experience of learning or teaching at a very young age? The conventional wisdom seems to be that children can learn guitar from about 6-8 years on.

This may be a ridiculous idea because I've never tried one myself, but I was wondering if a squareneck would actually be easier on young hands as it avoids the pressure of fretting? Would that allow an earlier start?

Also, open tunings would presumably allow immediate enjoyment?

TIA,

[Michael Messer]

Hi Bill,

Children can start learning musical instruments from any age really. The earlier the better.

All stringed instruments are fairly similar, so sometimes a young child is better off starting with a ukulele or four string tenor guitar. My first playing experience was on a four string 'Beatles' guitar - it was a three-quarter scale red plastic tenor guitar and it came with a book of 'how to play Beatles on a four string guitar'. It was made by Selcol. We also had a Selcol Beatles New Beat snare drum! I loved those instruments and wish I still had them. I think that is where my fascination for Maccaferri plastic guitars came from.

Back to the subject....
I think it depends what the child in question is interested in. I know of young children who have learnt tunes on a Hawaiian guitar at a very young age. I think it depends what is around the house, how much interest and natural musical ability the child has, and how much enthusiasm is generated by the parents.

Shine On
Michael

[robn]

Hi Bill,

Michael is right - you can start children playing guitar at a young age.

Ron (who sets-up most of the the Busker and MM guitars) teaches guitar to about 70 primary school children a week in this area. It is school Christmas concert period over the next two weeks so he is pretty busy - but I'll ask him to respond to your question.

I know that he has tried many different guitar models and set-ups for various ages of child and that he fits very light strings.

Robin

[melp]

Bill,

Suggest that you go with Michael's advice of a Ukulele or tenor. Last Xmas I got my grand kids ukulele's, they were 4 and 3 respectively at the time. Must admit that my 3 year old grand son saw its potential as a weapon long before he got the playing tunes thing, But after a while he explored the other possibilities, they still use them and seem to have a lot of fun.

I think that young kids need something in open tuning, rather than a guitar in standard tuning, and not sure a slide would help at first, just needs to be as simple as possible. The key is to get them doing something, anything, that does not sound terrible, to them of course.

Once then can do something, simple three note tunes, the curiosity will kick in and the motivation to try new stuff. One thing that is really great is the speed that they adapt and learn, hence Michael's comment about the sooner the better, he's right!

So, go for it! The other good thing about Ukulele's is that they don't cost much so if it does not catch on you have not had to spend much to find out.

Good luck!

Mel

[growler]

I bought my three year old daughter a Tenson uke from music store for only about £18, I was surprised how well made it was when it arrived, anyway she loves it and it normally makes an appearance when I start playing my guitar, but to be quite honest her main interest and fascination is with the tuning pegs.
I have read that it might be an idea to put it in an open tuning to get her going on it

Regards Growler

[SoloBill]

Thanks guys,
I think I'm going to go for a ukulele.

I am still interested in Ron's opinion but when he has the time.

[ronnie7]

The youngest I teach around here are 6/7 years. Generally half size guitars are too small to keep in tune and be playable although I have had some success tuning them up to G or A and then capoing the tutor guitar accordingly. Little 'uns can usually manage a 3/4 instrument with nylon strings if the action is fettled to make for easy fretting. I would not advise lap steel to begin with as the child concerned has to have an understanding of fretting and be able to determine pitch. This only really comes with experience as does tuning. Anyway, for the first few weeks/months they can only manage simple little tunes of the 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star ' variety. I have taught many many little tots who have gone on to be competent/ confident players by 10 yrs. This said I would be very inerested to hear about other tutorial experiences.
Ron