Guitar purchase advice for my son

Ranger12 · « **on:** November 14, 2008, 11:18:56 PM »

My 10 year old boy has been bugging me for a year to get him a guitar. With all the sports he chooses to play also, I have balked on that idea because he has no time for lessons. I was recently told that a kid his age can learn to play on his own in his spare time with just a little instruction on the basic chords to start him off. I knew some of the more successful players were also self taught, so I asked my son would he be dedicated enough to do it if I bough him a guitar for Christmas, and of course he promised he would practice as much as he could between school work and sports.

So, for those of you that play, what is a good affordable started guitar I should get for him? From everything I have read, for his age, it is best to get a 3/4 size (36 inch guitar). A full size will be too big and the half size may be too small for him or at his age, he will grow out of it very quickly. I have looked into those First Act guitars that also have instructional books and CDs.

Any other instrument or instructional suggestions? Nylon or steel strings for learning?

Townhallsavoy · « **Reply #1 on:** November 15, 2008, 12:22:09 AM »

Being a guitar player myself (and having taught quite a few students your son's age), getting him any guitar that is halfsize will work. My suggestion is that you plan ahead just in case he catches onto it. By the time he's 12, he should be working with a full sized guitar.

Lessons are a must. Learning from a book won't get him anywhere, and he'll end up quiting. He needs to tak ehte time to spend 30 mins a week or every two weeks with someone who knows how to teach chords.

One trick to making a cheap guitar be worth the investment is to take it to a luthier and have them set the neck so that the action is low. This will make playing the guitar easier for a beginner.

Honestly, is he a big kid? Scrawny kid? Will he grow quickly or will he be a late bloomer? I really think you should go ahead and get him the full sized guitar. Steel strings are a must. Nylon's not cool to today's generation. If you want him playing classical recitals and delving into the world of Segovia, be my guest. But, I'm willing to bet that he'll want to be playing the stuff he hears on the radio or from your CDs.

I forgot to mention - acoustic guitar at first. If he wants to start shredding, tell him he'll have to wait a few months. Learning the chords on an acoustic will strengthen his hands and will help his fingers stretch across the finger board. I started playing when I was 10, and I used a full sized guitar. I was playing on an Alvarez that my mother bought back in the 70s.

Next step is to get lessons. Having a teacher is very important if you can't teach him chords yourself. If he gets into it, he'll be able to teach himself more by himself later on. Those guys that you hear about teaching themselves guitar had a LOT of time to do that. Take Tommy Emmanuel for example. The guy is legendary. He's honestly in my humble opinion the best there is right now. He taught himself how to play guitar at 4 years old because his family was only making money by playing music. His mother taught him the chords, then he taught himself everything else. Well, I guess his mom taught him the first stuff. See? Get him lesson!

Okay. I hope this helps. Sorrry if this is a bit difficult or jumpbled. I'm hammersd.

Ranger12 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 15, 2008, 01:16:11 AM »

Yeah, I was planning on getting him an acoustic to start out with...I forgot to mention that.

I took lessons one year when I was in elementary school, but I don't remember jack to be able to teach him the chords. He is not going to play basketball this year, so I might get him enough lessons to learn the chords before baseball we have to start working on baseball season. After that I think he can learn on his own. Unlike his dad, he is a very smart kid (in TAG), and usually when he locks in on something, whether it be academics or sports, he does pretty good job on staying dedicated to it.

He is a scrawny kid, average height for his age. He is into rock music, mostly Christian rock like Third Day, December Radio, and Switchfoot. I took him to a concert a year ago where we had front row seats and he had several pick flicked to him by the guitar players from the various bands. I think that concert is what really got him fired up about playing.

Townhallsavoy · « **Reply #3 on:** November 15, 2008, 11:02:54 AM »

Ok...sorry about that first comment.

Here's a more sober thought -

You should ONLY get him the smaller sized guitar if you are pretty sure he's going to quit after a few months. If he's serious and if you're serious about him playing, then go for the standard size. I started playing at ten, and I had no problem making the chords or stretching my fingers. Something you should be excited about is that if he catches on the guitar, he'll be really good. Starting out that young is really beneficial to how good he'll become later in life. Music is similar to a foreign language; the earlier you get started, the easier it is to learn.

Any guitar in the $200-$500 price range will work. Fender makes some. Alvarez and Washburn are popular brands for starting out. Like I said before, make sure the neck gets set. If the action is too high or if the neck isn't at the right angle, it'll be miserable listening a guitar that is always slightly out of tune. If you're in the Birmingham area, I recommend taking it to Billy at Gallant Music in Hoover. You'll get lung cancer walking in, but he's done work for the Allman Brothers among others. Also, if you're near the Hoover area, go to Paul Moore at Lorna Music on Lorna Road. He specializes in teaching and selling low end guitars.

As I said, lessons are important. Books are boring. If you don't want to pay for lessons forever, he'll really only need them for a few months. He needs to aim for practicing for a minimum of 30 minutes a day.

I could write a book on everything he needs to do, but this'll be enough to help.

lifesapplepie · « **Reply #4 on:** November 15, 2008, 02:16:36 PM »

Quote from: townhallsavoy on November 15, 2008, 12:22:09 AM

Being a guitar player myself (and having taught quite a few students your son's age), getting him any guitar that is halfsize will work. My suggestion is that you plan ahead just in case he catches onto it. By the time he's 12, he should be working with a full sized guitar.

Lessons are a must. Learning from a book won't get him anywhere, and he'll end up quiting. He needs to tak ehte time to spend 30 mins a week or every two weeks with someone who knows how to teach chords.

One trick to making a cheap guitar be worth the investment is to take it to a luthier and have them set the neck so that the action is low. This will make playing the guitar easier for a beginner.

Honestly, is he a big kid? Scrawny kid? Will he grow quickly or will he be a late bloomer? I really think you should go ahead and get him the full sized guitar. Steel strings are a must. Nylon's not cool to today's generation. If you want him playing classical recitals and delving into the world of Segovia, be my guest. But, I'm willing to bet that he'll want to be playing the stuff he hears on the radio or from your CDs.

I forgot to mention - acoustic guitar at first. If he wants to start shredding, tell him he'll have to wait a few months. Learning the chords on an acoustic will strengthen his hands and will help his fingers stretch across the finger board. I started playing when I was 10, and I used a full sized guitar. I was playing on an Alvarez that my mother bought back in the 70s.

Next step is to get lessons. Having a teacher is very important if you can't teach him chords yourself. If he gets into it, he'll be able to teach himself more by himself later on. Those guys that you hear about teaching themselves guitar had a LOT of time to do that. Take Tommy Emmanuel for example. The guy is legendary. He's honestly in my humble opinion the best there is right now. He taught himself how to play guitar at 4 years old because his family was only making money by playing music. His mother taught him the chords, then he taught himself everything else. Well, I guess his mom taught him the first stuff. See? Get him lesson!

Okay. I hope this helps. Sorrry if this is a bit difficult or jumpbled. I'm hammersd.

Having been playing the guitar for about 20 years and teaching kids your sons age...I will agree with everything townhallsavoy said!! I started playing classical guitar at about your sons age, and started on a "smaller" guitar as well!

Ranger12 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 15, 2008, 02:36:50 PM »

I think I am going to try to get him some lessons setup so that he can at least learn the basic chords and to make sure he learns proper posture. I don't think a book would be good at reinforcing proper posture and hand/finger placement like an instructor would be able too. He has a couple of months before we need to start working on this upcoming baseball season.

I am going to try to spend no more then $100 to start out with, just to make sure he will stay with it. If he does show he wants to stay with it, then I will upgrade him for his birthday. I am actually now thinking about buying a full size for myself and us learn together. That will give us something else besides sports, and our interest in aviation, that we can do together and enjoy. I would rather sit down and jam with him then play video games.

Right now, as a starter, I am looking at this particular model. Like I said, I might go ahead and buy a full size for me also, so we will already have that if we need to upgrade fairly quickly or I might just buy him one of his own if I really get into it:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8627408&type=product&id=1194050985138

What do you guys thing about that particular guitar? I have been told to stay away from the First Act stuff. Those already had a "toy-like" feeling to them, so I was already skeptical about getting one of those.

Townhallsavoy · « **Reply #6 on:** November 15, 2008, 04:30:11 PM »

Quote from: Ranger12 on November 15, 2008, 02:36:50 PM

I think I am going to try to get him some lessons setup so that he can at least learn the basic chords and to make sure he learns proper posture. I don't think a book would be good at reinforcing proper posture and hand/finger placement like an instructor would be able too. He has a couple of months before we need to start working on this upcoming baseball season.

I am going to try to spend no more then $100 to start out with, just to make sure he will stay with it. If he does show he wants to stay with it, then I will upgrade him for his birthday. I am actually now thinking about buying a full size for myself and us learn together. That will give us something else besides sports, and our interest in aviation, that we can do together and enjoy. I would rather sit down and jam with him then play video games.

Right now, as a starter, I am looking at this particular model. Like I said, I might go ahead and buy a full size for me also, so we will already have that if we need to upgrade fairly quickly or I might just buy him one of his own if I really get into it:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8627408&type=product&id=1194050985138

What do you guys thing about that particular guitar? I have been told to stay away from the First Act stuff. Those already had a "toy-like" feeling to them, so I was already skeptical about getting one of those.

NOOOOO. That guitar is not a musical instrument. Get him something a little nicer. I'm telling you. If you buy him shit, he'll feel like shit when playing it. Just my opinion.

You could just buy one full size guitar for both of you. Then, if he shows interest, buy him his own later on.

Ranger12 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 15, 2008, 06:17:17 PM »

The thing is townhall, when it comes to Christmas, I have a budget I have to work within. It would be different if I was buying this some other time, but I have to have enough money left to buy my daughter, wife, nieces/nephews, dad, and in-laws something for Christmas also. I am a 35 year old aerospace engineering student and a disabled vet, so I am not currently making the money I am used too making in the past and hope to making again in the future. I am doing alright, but I am not as bold as you single guys and willing the throw down that much money on something in which the return is questionable. Hey, I remember what it was like to be single and no kids. :lol:

As most parents will tell you, it is not wise to lay down a lot of money for something like this until you know your kid is going to stay with it. That is why I said I needed something affordable to start off with. You have been playing for awhile, so you are naturally looking at it from a sound quality point of view, which I understand. I am like that when it comes to electronics. However, right now I am just looking for something affordable, but not too cheapy, to get him started with. My parental logic will not allow me to put down $200 or more on something I am not totally sure my son use enough to make it worth it.

Townhallsavoy · « **Reply #8 on:** November 15, 2008, 06:39:28 PM »

Quote from: Ranger12 on November 15, 2008, 06:17:17 PM

The thing is townhall, when it comes to Christmas, I have a budget I have to work within. It would be different if I was buying this some other time, but I have to have enough money left to buy my daughter, wife, nieces/nephews, dad, and in-laws something for Christmas also. I am a 35 year old aerospace engineering student and a disabled vet, so I am not currently making the money I am used too making in the past and hope to making again in the future. I am doing alright, but I am not as bold as you single guys and willing the throw down that much money on something in which the return is questionable. Hey, I remember what it was like to be single and no kids. :lol:

As most parents will tell you, it is not wise to lay down a lot of money for something like this until you know your kid is going to stay with it. That is why I said I needed something affordable to start off with. You have been playing for awhile, so you are naturally looking at it from a sound quality point of view, which I understand. I am like that when it comes to electronics. However, right now I am just looking for something affordable, but not too cheapy, to get him started with. My parental logic will not allow me to put down $200 or more on something I am not totally sure my son use enough to make it worth it.

I completely understand that. Just my two cents on how to help motivate/inspire him to keep playing.

Ranger12 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 15, 2008, 06:55:40 PM »

Quote from: townhallsavoy on November 15, 2008, 06:39:28 PM

I completely understand that. Just my two cents on how to help motivate/inspire him to keep playing.

Well when it comes to that, hopefully he will have the same mentality he currently has when playing sports. If he is not happy with his progress, he will just keep practicing and try harder.

I appreciate the advice and will certainly keep it in mind if he does stay with it we get to the point that I need to get him a better made guitar. I will also probably use that as motivation for him to practice and stick with. I know he eventually wants to work his way into playing an electric guitar, but he only gets that if I am happy with his progress on the acoustic.

Saniflush · « **Reply #10 on:** November 17, 2008, 07:35:54 AM »

I would go with a really small one. You never know what his aspirations may be?

AUTailgatingRules · « **Reply #11 on:** November 17, 2008, 02:46:14 PM »

Not a quitar player myself but can you not get him a little better guitar used or on ebay? Seems that townhall makes some good points and he may rather have a good used one. Remember, he will have to tell all his new music buddy friends what kind of guitar he has and if they make fun of him he will surely quit.

Ranger12 · « **Reply #12 on:** November 17, 2008, 09:06:06 PM »

Quote from: AUTailgatingRules on November 17, 2008, 02:46:14 PM

Not a quitar player myself but can you not get him a little better guitar used or on ebay? Seems that townhall makes some good points and he may rather have a good used one. Remember, he will have to tell all his new music buddy friends what kind of guitar he has and if they make fun of him he will surely quit.

I probably could. I am just now looking and don't know what to look for, which is why I am asking around. I would like to find a good one to start out with, but not spend too much $$$ until I am sure he is going to stay with it. As far as his buddies making fun of his guitar, that is not a worry since as far as I know, none of his other friends play. I think one of the reasons Ryan is wanting to play, besides the fact that he is interested in it, is so he can do something different. He has decided that he does not like playing basketball, so it looks like he is going to have an offseason between football and baseball from now on, while most of his other friends are playing basketball.

Somebody in my church that plays told me about this offer he saw at Best Buy had and he said he has seen this model cost up to $200 at music stores. He grabbed one just to have as a backup and told me it is too sweet of a deal to pass up. What do you guys think?
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7934658&type=product&id=1151657218189

The cool thing is that I can get that even cheaper because I have $40 in Best Buy Reward Zone certificates I can use towards the purchase which means I will only pay $64.99 for it. That will leave me some $$$ to buy him a case and other accessories.

Pell City Tiger · « **Reply #13 on:** November 17, 2008, 09:34:36 PM »

Quote from: Ranger12 on November 17, 2008, 09:06:06 PM

The cool thing is that I can get that even cheaper because I have $40 in Best Buy Reward Zone certificates I can use towards the purchase which means I will only pay $64.99 for it. That will leave me some $$$ to buy him a case and other accessories.

Guitars are overrated. Everybody plays the guitar nowadays. Mold him into a man that dares to be different. You can pick up a nice juice harp for $6.50. Save your Best Buy certificates for WoW (Brian needs a friend), and you can buy several cases/accessories with the $58.49 you have left over. He'll be happy, you'll be happy and, if you buy the right accessories, the wife will be happy. A merry Christmas for all.

I should really write an advice column.

Townhallsavoy · « **Reply #14 on:** November 17, 2008, 09:39:00 PM »

Quote from: Pell City Tiger on November 17, 2008, 09:34:36 PM

Guitars are overrated. Everybody plays the guitar nowadays. Mold him into a man that dares to be different. You can pick up a nice juice harp for $6.50. Save your Best Buy certificates for WoW (Brian needs a friend), and you can buy several cases/accessories with the $58.49 you have left over. He'll be happy, you'll be happy and, if you buy the right accessories, the wife will be happy. A merry Christmas for all.

I should really write an advice column.

Please don't mention that game. That was a month of my life I'll never get back. Literally. One month logged in to an online game....

Ranger12 · « **Reply #15 on:** November 17, 2008, 09:54:02 PM »

Quote from: Pell City Tiger on November 17, 2008, 09:34:36 PM

Guitars are overrated. Everybody plays the guitar nowadays. Mold him into a man that dares to be different. You can pick up a nice juice harp for $6.50. Save your Best Buy certificates for WoW (Brian needs a friend), and you can buy several cases/accessories with the $58.49 you have left over. He'll be happy, you'll be happy and, if you buy the right accessories, the wife will be happy. A merry Christmas for all.

I should really write an advice column.

Okay, I am probably going to get laughed at for asking this, but what is a WoW? I know what a Wii is, I have one of those. Heck, I even have a Wii Wii.

War Eagle!!! · « **Reply #16 on:** November 17, 2008, 11:16:23 PM »

World of warcraft. It is an on-line video game.

Ranger12 · « **Reply #17 on:** November 18, 2008, 12:35:27 AM »

Quote from: War Eagle!!! on November 17, 2008, 11:16:23 PM

World of warcraft. It is an on-line video game.

Oh, okay. I have heard of that. My sister and brother-in-law play that I think.

So Glenn, if my son ever comes up to me and says he wants me to buy him WoW, I need to immediately get my son a prostitute to nip that in the bud right?

chinook · « **Reply #18 on:** November 18, 2008, 01:18:12 AM »

Quote from: Ranger12 on November 17, 2008, 09:54:02 PM

Heck, I even have a Wii Wii.

a man with no shame telling the intrawebs he has a sweet nubbin.

War Eagle!!! · « **Reply #19 on:** November 18, 2008, 09:25:05 AM »

Quote from: Ranger12 on November 18, 2008, 12:35:27 AM

So Glenn, if my son ever comes up to me and says he wants me to buy him WoW, I need to immediately get my son a prostitute to nip that in the bud right?

It's a fun game. I play and have played for over 2 years, I just don't spend hours and hours and hours doing so. The really bad thing in that game is you can never really be great unless you spend a lot of time doing it. The guys that are the biggest bad asses in that game, probably have no life and live in their parents basement. I pllay because I like video games and haven't been able to buy a PS3 yet...BECAUSE MY EX-WIFE KEEPS TAKING ALL MY MONEY...

oops...did I say that out loud...