Teaching kids guitar? (1 Viewer)

[GARYXKNIFEDX]

Asking on behalf of someone else.

What's considered the best way to do this?

Acoustic vs electric?

full size versus smaller guitar?

theory?

etc etc.

I didn't start until I was 22 so I can't even really use my own experience

I'm sure there will be a lot of differing opinions etc so give me some pros and cons.

Thanks.

 

[washingcattle]

Depending on the age of the kid start them with 3/4 accoustic. It's also cheaper than buying an elctric guitar and having them throw it in the closet beside the skateboard and the dead kitten.

 

[GARYXKNIFEDX]

Sorry,should have said,a school is buying a few guitars so parents will not have to,not sure what way it will work as far as practicing at home.

But keep the comments coming. Thanks.

 

[ann post]

I'll get back to you when i've time to write a proper reply, just saw this and running out the door this sec.

 

[pissypants]

I used to teach guitar in a Community School for a number of years. Get short-scale (eg 3/4 or smaller) length nylon string guitars. So much kinder to kids hands than similarly cheap priced steel-string acoustics. Make sure the instruments don't completely suck though or they'll be put off. For starters fuck theory and just get them excited about playing. I used to get into a little chord theory towards the end of my second term of 10 weeks with a group: Teach them about the fretboard, the basics of scales, arpeggios and chords, (and how to work out your own chords). Try and find a middle ground between songs that are easy for beginners to play, and songs to get them excited. I'm sure there's not one of them that wants to know the same old folkey shite starter songs I learned as a kid. It'd be an absolute turn off for them.

 

[therealjohnny]

And show them this for inspiration

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[ann post]

I used to teach guitar in a Community School for a number of years. Get short-scale (eg 3/4 or smaller) length nylon string guitars. So much kinder to kids hands than similarly cheap priced steel-string acoustics. Make sure the instruments don't completely suck though or they'll be put off. For starters fuck theory and just get them excited about playing. I used to get into a little chord theory towards the end of my second term of 10 weeks with a group: Teach them about the fretboard, the basics of scales, arpeggios and chords, (and how to work out your own chords). Try and find a middle ground between songs that are easy for beginners to play, and songs to get them excited. I'm sure there's not one of them that wants to know the same old folkey shite starter songs I learned as a kid. It'd be an absolute turn off for them.

What he said.

 

[GARYXKNIFEDX]

So teaching on electric would be not a good thing?

 

[washingcattle]

So teaching on electric would be not a good thing?

Well my theory when I worked in a guitar shop was that if you get them the electric guitar straight off the bat there's nothing for them to work towards and they're more likely to just give up. So start them out on a 3/4 nylon string and if they're still playing in 6 months reward their efforts. Most of the kids that came into the shop just wanted a guitar because their mate had one. My boss was unimpressed by my theory but in fairness about half the Mothers that bought the nylon 3/4 sizes came back to get more stuff and practically none of the electric guitar buyers were ever seen again. Except one who wanted their money back because their son never played the thing. Oh how we laughed.

 

[GARYXKNIFEDX]

That's interesting. Not really arguing against,but if I had started playing earlier than I did,there's no way I would have stuck with an acoustic.

What about the fact that the school is buying the guitars? Obviously the same budget would buy better/and/ or more acoustic guitars.

 

[washingcattle]

That's interesting. Not really arguing against,but if I had started playing earlier than I did,there's no way I would have stuck with an acoustic.

What about the fact that the school is buying the guitars? Obviously the same budget would buy better/and/ or more acoustic guitars.

I guess it depends on how young you're talking about. If you're 5-10 and you're told that this is how you learn you might go along with it and try a bit harder. 10-15 forget about it.

Depends on how they work out their budget I suppose. If it was any school I went to they'd have bought wood worm infested, poisonous, ukeles that were inhabited by the souls of serial killers if they thought it would have saved a few cents.

 

[GARYXKNIFEDX]

Good point,these kids will probably be closer to 10 than 15.

 

[washingcattle]

Oh the other argument against electric guitars is that you need an amp and a lead etc and have to transport this kit to and from wherever you get the lessons.

 

[GARYXKNIFEDX]

Haha,lazy bastards.