Playing and listening to music has shown tremendous health benefits at every stage of life. If your child has any interest in music, you owe it to them to give them a chance at learning.
Guitars can get expensive, though. You want to make the right choice. Buying a guitar for a child can be more intimidating if you don’t play guitar yourself.
Will your guitar choice be age-appropriate? How much does guitar size matter? Do you need to make special accommodations?
We’ll try to walk you through the four key things you should consider when buying a guitar for your child.
1. Buying a Guitar for a Child Should Make the Child Happy
While you have to stick to your budget, you should make sure to satisfy your child’s desires, too. If your child wants a guitar with a certain body style above all else, or only wants an acoustic guitar, you should let the child choose.
If you’re having trouble finding a junior guitar your child wants, you should talk. Ask what made the guitar so appealing, and how that can be met.
You don’t need to give on every point, though. Do your best to encourage a reasonable purchase.
2. Size Matters
Size plays a key role in how to buy a guitar for a child. Children’s developing bodies often won’t be able to manage a full-sized guitar. Even some larger children’s guitars can sit awkwardly for a child.
When picking a guitar, have your child hold it at the first fret. If the child looks comfortable, you have a good fit. If the child has to reach to get there, though, you should consider something else.
While you might think it’s better to purchase a guitar your child can grow into, remember that your child is growing. Putting strain on a child’s arms can lead to physical difficulties down the line.
Your child also won’t have as good of a time if holding the guitar takes constant stretching. Even if it doesn’t hurt, it won’t fit the child’s mental image of a guitar player.
3. Invest in Quality
Good playability will make or break a child’s interest in music for years to come. A guitar for beginners might lose out on playability. You don’t want to spend outside your budget, but try to balance quality with how long you expect the guitar to last.
Have your child hold any potential guitar and try pressing down on the strings. Entry-level guitars often have strings that sit too high, making them difficult to play.
This can teach a child to play guitar incorrectly. Compensating for a mediocre instrument can lead to choppy play and an unhappy kid. If you’re worried, check out these guitar brands.
4. Both of You Should Ask Questions
When you go buy a guitar for the first time, you and your child should both be ready with questions. Do your research beforehand.
You should consider asking technical questions about the guitar. Does the guitar stay in tune as you move along the fretboard? What condition are the parts in?
Let your child explore the process freely. Remember, the joy of music should last a lifetime. Train your child to be enthusiastic and curious.
Stay In Tune
Buying a guitar for a child can be a significant investment, but encouraging skill development and enjoyment of learning pays dividends. While children and musical instruments can create a cacophony, you’ll know it was worth it when you hear the transition to beautiful music.
Interested in more on music? Check out our entertainment section and we’ll hum a few bars on all kinds of topics.
