Beginning Young Guitar Player

janmike

My son seems quite keen on learning how to play the guitar so we have decided to purchase one for him for his birthday in February. As well, we will get him individual lessons which he is also excited about. Perhaps some of you guitar players could offer some advice as to size, strings (metal or not), brand name ... I would like for this to be a positive experience for him.


He will be 10 in February and I am thinking acoustic to start with but as for brand - no idea. We have one shop in town and they have a few small ones in stock that we have looked at in the $150 price range (Fender was one of them). Thanks for the help folks.

Pablo

Almost anything that is cheap is going to sound that way. But he is 10, so nice sound is probably not much of an issue. A classical guitar may be the best bet for a young new player. They are smaller and have nylon strings. Probably the most difficult part about a young person learning is the pain in the fingers from steel strings. They'll put it down after a few minutes because it really starts to hurt.

I bought my daughter a 3/4 size Samick for about $70 that I thought sound the best out of everything on the wall (but this was quite a few years back). The big brand name cheap ones really sounded cheap.

Although I prefer to support my local family owned dealer (bought 2 of my 4 nice ones there, and parts for 1 of the 2 I made), you are better off going to a chain store. Guitar Center seems to have the best prices, and a huge selection (as well as a bunch of used stuff). There are also enough people there that you can ask a shopper to let you know which one sounds the best (I take it you are not a guitar player). They are also on-line, so you can check some prices.

As far as learning, that's another story all together. Wanting to play is one thing, keeping up with it when sounding like crap for a year is another. I learned pretty much everything I know on my own (assorted people showed me assorted things). What I did was to start playing things from The Beatles Complete book. I knew most of the songs, and they were all very easy to play (3 or 4 simple chords). Within a few weeks I was playing an entire song (which gave me a little something to continue).

Good luck with that, and happy birthday.

John30_30

I'd recommend you cruise the pawnshops, but it sounds like you wouldn't know what to look for.
Sigh....I remember when $150 would get you a Les Paul or an American-made strat.
Unlike good deals on vintage speakers and amps.....that's gone forever.

janmike

Thanks Pablo. As for learning - I can only point you in the right direction and provide encouragement. After that, it is up to him. After all, he is only 10. No I do not play, but maybe......

No pawnshops here unfortunately. I know of a shop near my hometown in Ontario that point me in this direction - Indiana Madison Acoustic-Electric Guitar. ??????

ViperZ

Hey, check out this sizing chart, it might help:
http://www.martinguitar.com/guitars/choosing/size.html

I have a smaller Martin guitar (good for kids/teens), and the sound is great.

Pablo

Here's a fender for $90. It's 3/4 size, so it should fit him well. Of course the Martin is a much better guitar, but they will run you around $400 for the 3/4 size.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Squier-by-Fender-MC-1-Mini-Classical-Guitar-513883-i1175257.gc

As my primary accoustic, I have a Garrison (they were out of canada), but when I checked to see what they had to offer I found that they were purchased by Gibson I least I got one before they have a chance to raise the price and lower the quality.

As far as learning, what kind of music does he listen to? (or you listen to). If you can find a song that he can actually play fairly quickly, he may keep it up longer. Let me know. I have a stack of random stuff that may be easy to play.

jaysonbarnett

I would reccomend nylon strings and a classical style guitar. The reason i say is because my uncle got me a guitar when i was 12. He got me an electirc and i hated it because the strings hurt my fingers. My guitar teacher told me to get a classic guitar, and thats what kept me playing were the nylon strings. When you first start, the guitar does not matter because you have to learn the basics, and mettalica will not be on the menu. My first year learning i did not even play on song. I had to learn the notes and chords. In other words i think nylon will make his first experiance i great one. hope this helps jason

NotaSuv

Pablo wrote: »

Here's a fender for $90. It's 3/4 size, so it should fit him well. Of course the Martin is a much better guitar, but they will run you around $400 for the 3/4 size.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Squier-by-Fender-MC-1-Mini-Classical-Guitar-513883-i1175257.gc

As my primary accoustic, I have a Garrison (they were out of canada), but when I checked to see what they had to offer I found that they were purchased by Gibson I least I got one before they have a chance to raise the price and lower the quality.

As far as learning, what kind of music does he listen to? (or you listen to). If you can find a song that he can actually play fairly quickly, he may keep it up longer. Let me know. I have a stack of random stuff that may be easy to play.

The Squier is a great guitar to start with..and at the age of 10 I would not shell out good $$$$ on a first guitar, as like any hobby its fun to upgrade as skill developes..I bought 2 squires this holiday for 2 cousins. Both seem to enjoy playin them. Stay away from electric/steel strings until the basics have been mastered. Acoustic is the only way to learn by.....well thats my humble opinion...have fun with it and maybe a good time for Dad to pick up a new hobby as well

hockeyboy

When I first started I bought a classical from Esteban on HSN. It was a nice starter set that had a cool chord chart, and I could make it over two payments. Not a bad guitar for the price with a couple of other learning tools. One note, I found that playing the electric without amplification was much easier for me to go from beginner to mid-level player.

http://media.hsn.com/esteban-granada-classical-guitar-package_p-4268297_xp.aspx?webm_id=0&web_id=4268297&sf=m&attr=1042&ocm=sekw&prev=hp!1042&ccm=m|1042

zeppage2

Musician's Friend has good deals.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/navigation/acoustic-guitars?N=100001+304276+500150

Nice return policy as well...

Mark

sophie

like pablo said i think you should go with something from samic. i started with my brothers acoustic greg bennett.(made by samic) i liked it and bought a greg bennett acoustic electric and like it alot for what it cost.($170-about half price)

http://www.gregbennettguitars.com/

Payton


edit: my brother started when he was 10 with steel strings and never complained about it hurting. i started when i was 16 and i would sometimes stop for 15 seconds every few min. because my fingers started to hurt. i currently have two blisters from playing more than usual over Christmas break but they don't hurt much.

dragon1952

If you get an acoustic, make sure it's a short scale, smaller bodied guitar. They call them 000, or auditorium size among other things. You probably want to make sure it's got a fairly skinny neck and a narrower nut width for someone that age. Or maybe a 1/2 size like this for $199
http://www.instrumentpro.com/P-ARIAF2012.html?PHPSESSID=096548ccb6bb2b20446440d0743be0e4
Electrics are generally easier to fret, and if he likes rock music he may be more motivated to play an electric. Something like these maybe.
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-Les-Paul-Junior-and-Amp-Pack?sku=513158
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Epiphone-Les-Paul-Special-II-Player-Pack-102328770-i1150103.gc

ShinAce

1/2 size classical, enough said.

I am 6 foot, even, and still have a hard time playing some songs on my full size classical. Meanwhile I can play 99% of songs on the 1/2 size. My fingers are too big for the other 1% of songs.

The important part if for the kid to have easy songs that they want to learn. Start off with something super simple like the start of the James Bond theme or Nirvana's 'come as you are'.

reeltrouble1

Since his Daddy is rolling in high-end gear he should have something nice.

3/4 Martin, the problem with any half-size is they go out of tune quickly, not good, especially for a beginner, you can get any kind of strings of you want, he is the correct age to begin, go for it.

RT1

bruss

I just started playing as I got a acoustic starter pack from santa.. Ibanez Jam Pack

I can relate to the steel strings hurting your fingers.. But no pain no gain... I think i do better if i play till my fingers really start hurting then put the thing down for a while and comeback..

I got this cheasy DVD/Lesson book at guitar center and although the instructor is very corny I think i am progressing allright..

My poor wife has to listen to what can only be compared to a wounded animal until i get better.. A 34 yr old man playing Oh when the saints 600 times in a row gets old apparently... go figure.. lol But i will not give up.. I am making myself EARN a nice guitar..

hockeyboy

Hands down this is what he needs. If he doesn't like it, you can always Karma.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Martin-D28-Authentic-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=513360

janmike

Ted, hockeyboy - You are probably right. I will sell the 2CH rig, buy one of those guitars and become his road manager. :rolleyes: So do you guys own Martin guitars?

Seriously, what are the lengths of these 1/2 and 3/4 guitars you speaker of. Are all 3/4 length guitars the same size?

reeltrouble1

Yes Mike pretty much the same although I doubt their is an exact measurement that all the makers follow, they are 3/4 of their standard guitar and great for young folks, if you can take him to a place that has guitars and let him play a few that would be great.

I do not presently have a Martin, but have owned them and they are a well respected company, their are others just like in audio.

RT1

Pablo

If anyone has cablevision, there are free lessons in the magrack (one of the free on-demand channels they have). I've have always been a mediocre player for the past 10 years, and after learning one of the blues scales they tought, I have progressed to semi-mediocre.

Definitely worth a look, be a new player or old (they have some good songs too).

(as far as Martin, my cousin's father in law has one from the 60's and the sound is better than anything else I have ever played [there was just something about it]. When looking for a new "good" accoustic, I played all the Martin's guitar center had [they had nothing in the 30k range], but they really didn't sound any better than anything else).

edbert

You can also look for Sigma Guitars. It was my first guitar and they are made by Martin. My wife bought me an actual Martin as a wedding gift so the other doesn't get played much, but when I do play it, it still sounds great after 13 or 14 years. I think it was only a couple hundred bucks at the time.

hockeyboy

I own this and have been very happy with it. I would recommend it for a more experienced player. The only thing that sucks is it's not cutaway. If I were to get another acoustic I would get a cutaway so I can access the higher frets.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Martin-DM12-12String-Dreadnought-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=514708

janmike

So do any of you guys use electronic tuners to tune your guitars. If so, any suggestions.

Polkitup2

I like the Ovations with the built in tuner. That's what I use. I have a separate Matrix tuner but either I can never find it or the batteries are dead.

janmike

I looked at the IMT-900 tuner and wondered if it was any good.

I ended up buying the little guy a Hagstrom guitar (3/4). It is a very nice guitar and for a beginner, it will more than do the job. Once I become his manager, I will then look at the Martins.

comfortablycurt

I've been using the same Korg tuner for probably 4-5 years now. I've always been real happy with it. Doesn't break the bank either. It's also a chromatic tuner, so it can tune other instruments aside from the guitar. If he ever gets into other stringed instruments, he'll still be able to keep using this tuner. This is a handy feature to have.

http://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/Korg-CA30-Chromatic-Tuner?sku=210527

Dennis Gardner

Mike, PM me your address and I will send him the best selling tuner in my shop. It will tune guitar, bass, violin, or chromatic if alternate tuning is desired.

Good luck to him on the lesson front.

DG

janmike

Thanks Dennis, PM sent.

Lessons start 1st of March. He has not put the guitar down since we gave it to him last night. I think he slept with it under his bed.

comfortablycurt

janmike wrote: »

Thanks Dennis, PM sent.

Lessons start 1st of March. He has not put the guitar down since we gave it to him last night. I think he slept with it under his bed.

Good to hear. Make sure he sticks with it. A lot of people get discouraged pretty easily when they first start playing because they expect to just pick it up and start playing songs right away. It's a slow process...there's definitely going to be a period where he won't even be able to play anything that sounds good. He'll get better though.

I know for the first 6 months or so when I was playing it was very aggravating...I kept feeling like I was wasting my time, and that I was never going to get better. I did though over time. Like I said...just don't let him get discouraged.

janmike

One thing I have never done is push my son into anything. Well, only school work and the provincial testing came back with him doing very, very well, especially in mathematics. He scored in the 99 percentile. I guess my work with him paid off.

Like most kids, things come and go, but I really want him to keep with this. Perhaps the old man will take lessons some day as well.

[Deleted User]

Mike,

For future reference, you should seriously look into Breed Love guitars. Completely customed to your liking and the craftsmanship is superb. Speaking from personal experience.

http://www.breedloveguitars.com/

Halen

Pablo

halenhoang wrote: »

Mike,

For future reference, you should seriously look into Breed Love guitars. Completely customed to your liking and the craftsmanship is superb. Speaking from personal experience.

http://www.breedloveguitars.com/

Halen

I played the breed loves at Guitar Center and I thought they played nicer than the Martins. They are very nice instruments.

Hate to say it janmike, but I would push him just a bit. After a few months it gets very boring, but if you push a bit, find some things he would like to play, he will get past that and get back to it on his own. Without a little push, it just becomes a dust collector taking up space.

Also, make sure you keep all of us informed about his progress (the world needs more good guitar players [any instrument actually. as long as you don't call moving a record back and forth on a turn table an instrument, there is a future for quality music]).