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