| You've known for years that your child had an ear for | | | | Guitars are not like cars; a good guitar having been |
| music. The time has come to | | | | handled with reasonable care improves |
| begin music lessons and he says the guitar is his | | | | with age. Look at the guitars that the professionals |
| instrument of choice. | | | | play. Do those instruments look brand |
| No reason for you to worry, there's no rule that says | | | | new to you? HardlyCruise the pawnshops, Ebay and |
| bad habits and guitar playing have to go | | | | the classifieds for possibilities. Of course these |
| hand in hand! The guitar is a versatile instrument that | | | | avenueshave a huge "Buyer Beware" sign on the |
| he can enjoy playing for the | | | | corner. No returns allowed. Do you have a friend |
| rest of his life.WHAT KIND OF GUITAR WILL I | | | | that plays guitar? If this is the case, I'm sure that he |
| NEED? | | | | won't mind if you ask him to go by |
| A common mistake I see parents make is buying a | | | | the pawnshop or to the garage sale with you, play |
| poorly made guitar so they will not have | | | | the guitar you found and give you an opinion.Go to the |
| wasted a large sum of money if their child decides | | | | guitar forums on the internet and see what the others |
| the guitar is not the instrument for him.To start a child | | | | have to say about the |
| out on a guitar that has poor tone and is difficult to | | | | instrument that you are considering. Expect to see |
| play is practically | | | | contradicting opinions. But if alarge percentage of the |
| a roadmap for failure. Mastering the guitar is not a | | | | posters say any given guitar is a piece of junk it would |
| simple task. A child deserves some | | | | be a good |
| reward when he does something right and this is | | | | idea to look for another axe.HOW DO I KNOW |
| something only a quality instrument can give.Buy a | | | | WHAT THE GUITAR'S WORTH? |
| guitar suitable for the age and size of the child. The | | | | Try checking on Ebay to see what guitars |
| neck and body must be the | | | | comparable to the one you are looking at have sold |
| right size the child's hands and arm length. For younger | | | | for recently. It's hard to know if you are comparing |
| childer (10 and younger) three quarter | | | | apples to apples even when comparing |
| (3/4) size guitars are available.ACOUSTIC OR | | | | identical model numbers of identical brands but you |
| ELECTRIC? | | | | can get a general idea. You can checkthe Blue Book |
| I'm sticking my neck out on this one, but for instant | | | | of Electric Guitars, Acoustic Guitars and the Blue Book |
| gratification you can't beat an | | | | of Amps for a value,but again these figures are |
| electric rig. In addition to a guitar, you will need to buy a | | | | merely guidelines.WHERE DO I GO FOR HELP? |
| small amplifier and this will | | | | While the advice that can be obtained at a local music |
| stop some parents in their tracks, but hear me out. A | | | | store can be invaluable before |
| lesson or two will focus on setup of | | | | you take the suggestions made by the salesperson |
| the rig and what the knobs on the guitar and amp are | | | | you should ask the following question: |
| for, but an electric is easier to play | | | | Are you a guitar player? If the answer to your |
| and a kid can get a few good sounds out of the | | | | question is no, ask for a salesperson |
| guitar much faster. You can always branch out | | | | that plays guitar to help you or go and get that guitar |
| into acoustic later once the fingers get stronger and | | | | playing friend to help you choose.That's one of the |
| more conditioned.NEW OR USED? | | | | perks of playing guitar, the friendships you make along |
| There's nothing wrong with buying a used guitar that's | | | | the way. |
| in good playing condition. | | | | |