How to hit the right chord when choosing your child’s first guitar

It’s wonderful when a child becomes inspired to take up an instrument, and the positive impact doing so has on a child’s development is huge. As adults, we play a pivotal role in helping a child stay motivated to learn and practise, starting with choosing their first instrument. Guitar is a popular choice amongst children, but there are several important factors worth considering before buying one. It can make the difference between a hobby that is very short-lived and one that stays with your child and develops over a lifetime.

Some pointers:

i. Of primary importance are the action and strings of the guitar, as these will certainly impact your child’s ability to play.

ii. Be sure to take into account some of your child’s thoughts about guitars. For example, are there any guitarists that have inspired your child? What guitar do they play? Is there a guitar that looks similar that is suitable for children? If a child owns a guitar that they like the look of and/or reminds them of a musical icon, they are more likely to want to play it regularly and stay motivated in between lessons.

iii. Try out both acoustic and electric guitars. The techinques used for each are very different and your child may be drawn to one more than the other.

iv. Don’t be afraid to spend lots of time in a shop or two, letting your child try out as many as possible. Chances are they may otherwise just claim the first one is their favourite, when it’s just the novelty of holding a guitar they might soon call their own.

v. Don’t just think ‘cheap’ when it comes to what to spend on the guitar. This will probably backfire very quickly, as the cheaper the guitar, the lower its build quality and the less likely it is to be adjustable or easy to play. This will demotivate your child very swiftly. It is therefore very important to buy a guitar that can be adjusted in the shop and is the right size for your child. Ideally, find a shop where the price of the guitar includes setting it up appropriately for your child, so that they get the most out of playing it.

Other things worth buying alongside the guitar

·         An amplifier if you opt for an electric guitar.

·         A guitar tuner – to maintain sound quality and train the ear.

·         A decent guitar case, to keep it protected

·         A supportive guitar strap

Happy strumming!

Written by Sally Philips.