You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Child the Second has expressed interest in learning the guitar.
I think this is a Good Thing. However, I know next to nothing about the topic. So, hivemind, what say ye?
Should I just get one of these in the next John Lewis order? https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-partners-wooden-acoustic-guitar/p4263118
Not a lot of cash, hopefully fairly sturdy for him to drag around, and a decent enough starting point. If he likes it, inevst in better, if he doesn't it's not been a big waste.
Any other suggestions?
Thanks.
A bit more expensive but I think they are good. It has a size guide which may be useful either way as you don't mention age
https://strettonpayne.com/kids/kids-acoustic-guitars/
I'm refreshing my guitar "skills" by using the Justin Guitar website. He has some very useful advice on choosing a guitar for a young learner. Basically, start with an electric, because they're much easier to play and cheap acoustics are horrid. Also, go for full-size as soon as you can.
I decided to go back to the very beginning of the lessons. Not strictly necessary for me but isn't it amazing that time spent going back to basics is never wasted?
What about a ukelele?
Easier to learn, easier to play, easier on the fingertips, especially for a kid, easier to store if he loses interest after a week.
Once he can squeeze a decent tune out of a uke he'll have lots of the skills required to make a decent fist out of playing a full size guitar.
Turn your tot into a string-strumming God with this acoustic guitar
Wow, John Lewis pitching that strong 😂
Definitely recommend starting with Ukulele.
I tried various times to learn the classical guitar and failed, but after 3 weeks of messing round on the Ukulele I can play about 10 chords and strum along to a fair few songs
Something too cheap can be a turn off, they are too hard to play. I'd be tempted electric as easier to play and more likely to graduate to learning a song they like on electric - most folk want to learn a song they know, and for many that's rock music. I started my kid out on a cheap £99 electric and found I couldn't play it myself despite playing 30 years. Wouldn't stay in tune so I spent more on a second hand full size electric. Worth it, hard to say, he goes back to playing Highway to Hell on it every other month, and it looks pretty on his wall. 🙂
He brought a Ukekele home from school for a week, neither of us knew what do do with it. It's guitar shaped, but a totally different instrument, tuning, everything.
As a kid, what kept me at it was learning simple riffs from Poison, ACDC, etc. I'd have given up if I'd had a Ukekele or Acoustic. Are they focused on learning songs they like, or are they interested it music theory. That'll really govern which instrument you should by.
Uke +1
Both mine play guitar but junior 2 still prefers the Uke.
Something too cheap can be a turn off, they are too hard to play
That. It might be ok but at that price i'd want someone who knows guitars to try it. It's really at the low end.
My youngest expressed interest and it terrified me (the alpha dad) as I am so unmusical.
Asked a biking friend who knows his way around a guitar what to do, and he gave me the best, most logical advice (albeit pre-COVID)...
... Go to the local music shop. LMS?
I did, went with my daughter and told the proprietor of my inexperience and needs.
He was outstanding. Gave my daughter a few guitars to try. Demonstrated them playing music she knew and generally put her at ease (not to mention me).
We walked out with a guitar for about £50, plus a case. My youngest was about 10 feet high as we walked down the road back to the car.
We might have saved a few quid online, or maybe got a 'better' guitar for the same money from John Lewis. But the impact of the guy in the shop was incredible in keeping my youngest interested.
It was the same when we went to buy her first electric. He recommended a used one and gave her a chance to try a few first. It transformed her relationship with the instrument because she chose it and selected the one that 'felt' right to her.
I guess it's like the LBS. Just lucky we have such a great one locally. But sure many are the same.
I'm guessing your LMS will be shut, but if you can wait indefinitely, I'd recommend a visit highly.
Andrew, that's what I'd like to do in an ideal world, but...
Birthday is fairly imminent! Might just stick with Lego and do the LMS later.
Thanks, all. Plenty of food for thought.
As a kid, what kept me at it was learning simple riffs from Poison, ACDC, etc. I’d have given up if I’d had a Ukekele or Acoustic.
Me too but I’m not sure kids these days like Alice Cooper et al.
If they want to do Ed Sheeran, Lewis Capaldi etc acoustic is a good option and it’s less faffy. Agree electric is easier though.
He was outstanding. Gave my daughter a few guitars to try. Demonstrated them playing music she knew and generally put her at ease (not to mention me).
The joy of a proper music shop. Nicely done. Waiting and going to one of those is ideal
Yamaha do a six-string Guitalele, basically a quarter-size classical guitar. I’m very tempted to get one myself, it’s the perfect size for leaving around and just picking up when the mood takes.
Yamaha Acoustic Guitalele, GL1 – A hybrid between guitar and ukulele (70 cm) with 6 Strings (3 nylon/3 metal wound, commonly known as a nylon string set) and Fitted Yamaha Gigbag – Natural https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000RVYMWE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_rdlQEbV7Q6D3N
I got this for my son a few years ago from eBay for 50 notes. Squire 3/4 strat. Stays in tune well and sounds great through my Laney cub amp.
My lad is almost ready for a full size and I'll be taking him to the music shop to select his own when the time comes.
http://imgur.com/gallery/woXe2o1