| Kids love guitars. Why? Because they are | | | | |
| exciting, probably the most exciting musical | | | | A good book or DVD on learning the guitar |
| instrument today. Look at rock bands today. | | | | will show a student how to read music. |
| In almost all case the guitarist is the lead | | | | Reading a tablature (a notation showing where |
| performer, or will play lead on many songs. | | | | to place fingers when playing) is as |
| The guitarist is often the driving force of a | | | | important as reading a staff of actual notes. |
| band, always right out in front. | | | | The learning aid should show pictures or |
| | | | video as examples of finger-placement, as |
| Also guitars are loved because they are | | | | well as holding and strumming the guitar. |
| fairly easy to come by. I see beginning | | | | Also the program should show the differences |
| acoustic and electric guitars sold at | | | | between acoustic and electric guitars, the |
| department stores. I don't see many fiddles | | | | types of songs played on each, and how to |
| or clarinets sold in stores, except music | | | | select a good guitar without going overboard |
| shops. And guitars can be relatively cheap | | | | on price. |
| compared to other band instruments. | | | | |
| | | | I think what's really important is to let the |
| And guitars are well suited for a child (or | | | | student have fun while learning. If it |
| adult) to learn music in general. One can | | | | becomes a chore, it then gets boring and the |
| play a guitar and sing along; try doing that | | | | student will lose interest. Also, a good |
| with a clarinet. One can learn and play | | | | learning program will have the students learn |
| chords. The guitar is quite portable too, | | | | simple songs to begin with, to give the |
| unlike say a piano. All in all, the guitar is | | | | student a sense of accomplishment and get |
| an extremely versatile instrument. | | | | them to keep going. |
| | | | |
| But like with any instrument, learning the | | | | Now some parents may object to a child |
| guitar takes time and practice. One has to | | | | learning electric guitar, which may involve a |
| learn to read music, tune and hold the guitar | | | | lot of loud jamming that will make the walls |
| properly, learn to strum the guitar. But it | | | | shake. But I think parents should be happy if |
| is not so difficult for a beginner to learn a | | | | their kids are interested in something that |
| few basic chords and quickly be able to play | | | | they can learn from, keep their interest, and |
| a song. A beginner can learn to play a simple | | | | share with their friends. |
| song on a guitar in no time, given the right | | | | |
| learning tools. | | | | And it could be profitable to them some day! |