When To Start Guitar Lessons
The decision as to when to start your child with guitar lessons depends upon several different factors listed below.
Does your child have any issues with fine motor skills?
This is extremely important for the study of guitar.
How is your child’s attention span, and are they prepared to practice regularly?
Guitar lessons can be started as young as five years old, especially if your child is expressing interest. Thirty minutes is necessary as each lesson will begin with tuning the instrument (and accurate tuning usually takes some time to learn).
Purchasing A Guitar
The purchase of a guitar is relatively easy.
My top recommendation is the Music and Arts Center in Rockville, MD.
They have had an excellent reputation for over forty years. The Guitar Center in Rockville is another option but my choice would be Music and Arts Center because of their exceptionally helpful staff.
Music stores never rent guitars, and most beginning guitars cost about $200.
It is generally advisable to purchase a “classical” guitar when starting lessons. The classical guitar’s nylon strings are much easier to play initially, as steel strings can be more painful at the beginning.
The decision whether to purchase a ¾ size guitar will depend on your child’s size plus the agility of their fingers. The music store can advise you which guitar will be best for them.
Your student needs to be committed to practicing at least every other day, while every day is obviously preferable.
The reason for this is that calluses on their left hand must develop in order to press the guitar strings down. Initially, forming calluses can be very painful. Calluses will remain with
frequent whereas with infrequent practice, calluses can disappear-- causing pain while playing the guitar.
The guitar is a “cool” instrument and their friends will likely be very envious!