Hi,

I hope this is the right place to ask this question.

My son is turning 9 soon and he really wants to learn to play the guitar. His school provides lessons, so I thought I'll buy him one for his birthday.

My question is what should I buy for him? Is there one for kids? I want to get him a good one for beginners.

Thanks.

Michelle

Are you looking for acoustic or electric?

For a 9 year old I'd probably suggest a 3/4 size guitar.

What a wonderful thought! You're doing your son a huge favour in supporting his interest at such a young age.

Perhaps a Starcaster starter package would fit the bill? I'm unsure of what short scale electrics are available today. I'd wait for some more feedback -- there are some very knowledgeable fellows on this forum.

Best wishes to you and your son!

Wow... that was fast...

Thanks Toranado and GregoryJoseph

I was thinking acoustic...

I'm sorry to post so many questions, but he has an interest and Dan and I want to develop it. We got him a toy one last year and he won't stop playing with it. When we turn on MTV and there is someone playing a guitar, he will take his and start playing. He doesn't seem to care if it is acoustic or electric.

Anyway, back to the questions:

1: Do most people start with the acoustic then move on to electric?
2: What is easier to learn? We don't want him to give up because it is too hard.
3: How much is a starter package? We are looking at a budget of between $100 to $200

Thanks again.

Michelle

In my experience, the electric is much easier to learn on. Fretting on an acoustic can be difficult.

1) doesn't matter what most people did, i would say ask your son which one he likes. No leading phrasing, just ask.
2) Number one takes care of this. The one he likes/wants will be more fun for him. This is the key. As long as the guitar is of decent quality, it shouldn't be too hard to play. Which leads to number 3...
3) There are definitely pretty good starter packs in that range. i would suggest to stick with the ones by the more premium brands,(like fender and it's family of brands --Squier/Starcaster, or a Gibson/Epiphone product,) for the fact that these are established brands, and you'll have a pretty good idea that you'll get a fairly decent instrument. The other brands may be OK too, but unless you have the knowledge or skillset to evaluate them(or can bring along someone who can,) you'd be better off trusting the bigger players.

This could be the start of a lifelong love affair with the guitar and music, you are to be commended as parents for encouraging his interest.

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-SE-S ... 1177837.gc
here is what i started with

you could even do this http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-Fend ... 1447411.gc

Welcome to the Forum michellekoci! I started at age 5 with an acoustic from Sears and Roebucks, the name on the guitar was Silvertone, it played and back then I was in my own little rock and roll heaven.

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

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"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them."-John Wayne

Hi, I have a 3 year old that is very interested in music in general and guitar in particular. He had an acoustic guitar since he was a baby because one of my buddies left it for him, but it's full size so his hands are too small and he can't even hold it properly (he puts it flat on the floor and plays). Just wondering if anyone has any experience in teaching kids this age how to play - he doesn't really like to listen to adults but i'd like to channel his enthusiasm for music into something more productive that just hitting random strings

Don't mean to hijack the thread either - I can start a new one for this topic but this seemed appropriate to me. Cheers.

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I have a 5 year old who loves the guitar, his teacher plays one all the time so I brought him one with nylon strings and the strings broke very easliy. I am unsure about getting him one with metal strings though, as this may hurt his fingers! Any suggestions, please?

Make 'em learn piano

I always suggest go acoustic rather than electric at that age, it's better to learn the technique first and then move on to volume. Plus all of us know how getting an electric guitar begins the process of Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS). First it's a guitar, then an amp, then a fx pedal, another pedal, a pedal to replace the first pedal, a bigger amplifier, a higher end guitar, and it grows from there.

Also, buy used vs new. Beginner's guitars have horrible value retention, you buy it for $150 and then sell it for $40. So why not just buy it for $75 off craigslist or in the used section the local shop?

As for strings, nylon is preferred for the kids because it's easier on the fingers. The only problem is kids can be a little heavy on the pickin and break them quickly. If that's the case, get em metal strings, either that or make em learn fingerstyle. For the really young, you can get them a 3/4 scale guitar that would be easier for them to hold. Or make em learn piano

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I traded my car in for a microphone.

If he plays regularly.......he will build calouses on his finger tips. After that he won't feel a thing. Try getting one with light gauge strings. Heavier strings will hurt more at first, and can be harder to play.

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"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them."-John Wayne

I would recommend checking out some of the mini guitars they make as they do a really good job on the way they make them these days and they hold tune very well. I would not give a boy that young an adult guitar as they are just to big and the scale length is also a problem for small hands. My friend has some of those little guitars in his store made by Dean that are shaped like a Strat or flying V and for $100 you cant go wrong as I really was shocked how well they play.