It’s always a challenge for a parent to find the perfect Christmas guitar, so here are a few suggestions you might want to try out:
First really think about what your child wants to play. Do they really want to learn to play classical guitar or do they want to rock out? Most of the time, they think they want to rock out and be “cool”. The problem you can run into is that while it may be cool to rock out, it usually involves having to purchase an electric guitar, along with the amplifier. Those electric guitars are heavy, and the length of the neck will make it difficult for small hands to fret well. Inexpensive electric guitars usually do not have very good action, which adds to the difficulty the child will experience with the long length of the neck.
So what do you do? Now is the time to have a real conversation with your child about the realities of playing the guitar. If your child is old enough, and big enough, for a full scale guitar, and electric guitar is their dream, it will be best to go in that direction. Look for an electric guitar with smooth fretting. Your hands should glide easily up and down the neck of the guitar. If the fret wires feel rough, pass it by. The strings should be light and easy to press down to the fingerboard. There is nothing worse than trying to play an electric guitar with “high” action. Remember that speed is going to be important when playing electric guitar, and a guitar that is difficult to play will end up leaning in the closet.
Another area to avoid is the gadgetry. Your budding Eric Clapton will not need sixteen pickups and a bender bar! Those bars just throw the guitar out of tune super fast anyway. One or two pickups will do the trick nicely.
If your child will be playing an acoustic instrument (which is my recommendation for young children starting out), the first consideration will be to find an instrument that is the right size for the child. Ages 12 and up usually can play a full size guitar. Children between the ages of 8 and 11 do well with a ¾ size guitar. Younger children can usually play ½ size guitar or even a baritone ukulele.
I recommend purchasing an instrument with nylon strings, no matter what the size of the guitar. Steel stringed instruments sound beautiful; there is nothing prettier than the sound of a steel string acoustic guitar! But, make no mistake, if you want your child to actually practice the instrument, your best bet is nylon strings. They are so much easier on their fingers, there is less pain involved, and I have seen that the children playing nylon strings advance more rapidly than their counterparts on the steel strings. Children want to have fun with their instrument, and they do not want their fingers to hurt! The time for steel strings is when they get older and have developed an appreciation for the instrument. When they are ready to make a commitment to go to the next level with their playing, a full size steel string acoustic guitar may be in their future. Some children may prefer to stay with the nylon strings, and learn the style of playing that goes with the classical and folk guitars.
OK, there are some pointers to think about. Next blog will be recommendations on how to actually locate the perfect Christmas guitar – stay tuned!
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