At what age can my child start taking lessons?
A child can start taking lessons by around age 6 or 7 depending on the child. By this age, most children have developed some basic reading skills, have adequate small motor skills, and are used to some parental separation. And I always aim to keep things fun for the young ones, without a lot of performance or goal orientated expectations so that helps a lot…
I have to say that parental attitude is very important when it comes to starting lessons at a young age. I’ve found that the parents who don’t need to ‘”see results” each week typically have the children who have the best time. As I’m sure you know, young children learn things very differently from adults. Young children are usually more “process” oriented and don’t always feel the need to “get it” all in one week….
How do you keep the lessons fun for a young beginner?
I’ve found that if too many weekly performance expectations are placed on a young child (things like “practice this song so you can play it perfectly by next week”) it can often lead to frustration and a loss of interest. I think that’s because strict goal oriented learning is not “hardwired” into a young child. I often think about how long it takes a little one to learn the alphabet, to learn numbers, to learn sight words, etc. Young children don’t mind repetition, or sticking with something until it makes sense, provided the learning process is interesting. And the process of learning to play the guitar is not much different for a young student.
I’d also like to mention that my very young students don’t typically spend the entire lesson doing only guitar material. We’ll also work on developing musicianship skills using games and puzzles, which really helps to keep things fun!
Where can I get a guitar for a young beginner?
For the young beginner, there are a few things to consider. First, the guitar has to be ½ or ¾ size so its not too big for a young child. The instrument should also be easy to play and stay in tune. If you don’t already own an instrument, and you want to minimize the initial investment, I’ve found that the First Act brand is perfectly fine for the young beginner guitar student. They are reasonably priced, pretty durable, easy to play, and stay in tune surprisingly well. They are not professional quality instruments, but should get the young beginner through their first year or two of lessons. You can get the First Act acoustic guitar model at local retailers like Wal-Mart, Toys R Us, and Target.
Which is best for a beginner, electric or acoustic?
Generally speaking, I like to teach beginners on an acoustic guitar whenever possible. An inexpensive acoustic guitar is a simple instrument, making it less distracting for abeginner, allowing them to focus on learning. However, if you already have an electric guitar, that’s fine too. And many students find the electric guitar exciting, which is not such a bad thing.
How often should my child practice?
Practicing every day for a 10 minutes would be a great goal for a beginner. Experience has shown that a student will make faster progress if they practice every day for at least a few minutes, especially when compared to a student who might practice for a long time, but only touches the guitar once or twice each week.
Can I sit in on the lesson? Can I drop off? Do you have a place for me to wait?
Drop off is fine. Some parents wait outside the lesson room and relax with a good book.
I don’t usually recommend that the parent/guardian sits in on the lesson as this can often affect student-teacher interaction. However, I teach with the door open, so you can always monitor the lesson while you wait.
How do I know what my child should practice?
We keep a practice journal each week. This way the parent/guardian always has a clear understanding of what needs to be practiced.
Can siblings or friends take lessons together?
If they are close in age, and at the same basic level, yes.
Will you have student recitals?
Yes. If there is an interest among students, eventually I’d love to hold recitals.
Are there any other books or materials required?
Yes. In addition to a guitar, each student will need:
1) A guitar method book based on their age/level. I try to keep the method books that I use on hand, and I sell them for my cost.
2) A spiral notebook for use as a practice journal.
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