Guitar and guitar lessons for DD10

[luvlife]

I'm hoping someone here can help me out with this, my dd10 has wanted a guitar for a few years now. I did get her one from walmart one year that she still pokes around with but has no idea how to play Hence the guitar lessons
What I'm wondering is if anyone knows what type of guitar would be good for a beginner. I haven't found where I'm going to get the lessons yet and I know most times they will try to sell the higher priced items so I'm just looking for some info.
TIA

 

[mrodgers]

What do you mean by "they will try to sell the higher priced items"?

If you mean higher priced guitars, yes they will. There is a good reason for it too. Sorry to say but you get what you pay for when it comes down to a guitar. A cheap guitar is a good road to failure. Cheap guitars are very difficult to play and difficulty to play is one of the biggest reasons for people (all ages) to give up playing the guitar.

I have a $100 acoustic guitar my wife bought me on QVC. Might not be exactly cheap in your eyes, I don't know, but it is indeed a cheap guitar. A cheap POS guitar. Plays horrible, difficult to learn on, sounds horrible, etc. Everything that causes folks to give up.

I never wanted an acoustic anyways. That $100 guitar sat in a corner for 5 years. Occasionally I would pick it up, but always gave up and put it back in the corner. Last year I got myself a pretty decent electric guitar. I learned more in the first 4 months than I learned in 5 years. I pick it up every day to mess around on. I've had it for almost a year now. I love my non-cheap guitar.

Really, what mine is, is an inexpensive guitar. I only paid $200 for it, but it is also electric too so can't be compared to my acoustic. There is a difference between cheap and inexpensive. Cheap is junk, inexpensive is decent quality at a reasonable price. My acoustic is cheap junk as is any guitar you would buy at Walmart/Target.

As for that 5 year old acoustic that sat in the corner, well, since it was far easier to learn technique on my decent guitar, yes, I can play that acoustic now just fine. But I'm not learning on it, I'm capable of knowing it's deficiencies and overcoming them to do what I want with it.

And I never took a single lesson. If she really does want to start without you laying out the cash, I can send you some links to some fantastic sites. Sites that she can use to start learning chords and how to play the guitar, though not much how to read music. You don't need to know how to read music to play the guitar, in fact very very few of the greatest guitar players of modern music have no idea how to read music. It's all about chords, scales, and most important, feeling, not reading musical notes. Guitar music is alive, not written down on paper. I can play a 12 minute David Gilmore guitar solo 3 completely different ways using either the acoustic or electric and they are all individual with the feeling and sound, yet at the same time almost exactly the same.

The thing about learning on your own using the internet is, instead of learning how to boringly play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Mary Had a Little Lamb, she could be rocking out some Taylor Swift.


And speaking of guitar and Taylor Swift, last night I went on the computer real quick and looked up the chords to You Belong With Me (I can't play by ear yet.) I called my 6 year old daughter out to the living room and played. "What's that?" she asked and I told her. "No, that's not Taylor Swift" she says matter-of-factly and walked away. My wife had recorded Ellen the other day when Taylor was on for my daughter so I turned the TV on. Started playing along with Taylor on the TV and she ran back to the living room and her jaw dropped as she stared at me mesmerized like I was a god of music

 

[kacaju]

my dd10 has been playing for 3 years now. She does take lessons. I found a great place close to home that is a small mom and pop type guitar and bass store. My brother (who also plays) got her her first acoustic and last year we bought her an electric.
What i like about this place is it is strickly lessons, I pay monthly. No recitals/concerts.

This year in 5th grade she (because she has taken lessons) is able to play her guitar in the school band. She is loving it.
BTW...She plays Beatles, Tayor Swift many popular songs. Her guitar teacher has her bring her ipod every week and they play from that a lot.

I do think she can play by ear. My brother has played guitar since middle school (he is 40 now) and dh's Uncle was in a band back in the 60's (with a one hit wonder) so we have music in our family!!

 

[3boymthr]

DS14 takes guitar lessons.

My family is like a PP mentioned very much a musical family; but, well, perhaps more than PP - we have an unbroken history of professional musicans in the family that we can trace back to the civil war. Currently, I have an aunt and 4 cousins and a cousin-in-law who play professionally. All my life I've been taught that whatever you do don't start out with junk you'll just get frustrated - spend the money and get good equipment. We started DS out with a Jasmine acoustic guitar that one of my cousins picked out, which he played for about a year. Don't be afraid of used, sometimes you can get a much better guitar that's used for the same price as a new piece of junk. DS "upgraded" to a used Jay Turser electric guitar last year for $200 and he loves it - the sound on it is great.

Speaking of sound if you go electric, the amp is just as important as the guitar. Another cousin recommended the Line 6 brand of amps and it was well worth the $100 that we paid for it.

For lessons - well, we pay $24 for a half hour lesson once a week.

 

[luvlife]

Thanks for all of your great responses, I am looking to spend 200 not included lessons and when looking on the web saw an acoustic guitar (Amigo 1/2 Size Classical Guitar for Kids or Children) that has great reviews. I am seeing from everyone's responses that this isn't going to be a very easy task. I don't know if she would do better with an electric or acoustic, she has a tendency to go from one activity to another which is why I don't want to go to crazy spending alot of money. On the other hand I think what you're trying to say is if she doesn't have the right instrument she will get frustrated. I do feel however she will need lessons even though some people can learn by themselves I don't see it with her.
If anyone would like to chime in please feel free, I'm looking for all the advice I can get.
TIA

 

[lulu2]

My DD7 had taken guitar for 4 years now. We go to 15 minute lessons every Monday after school. This is a little hole in the wall music shop but she likes it. I purchased a $150 guitar at the shop and it seems to work just fine. But, if you have found the music shop can you rent or try out a few before you commit to purchase? Just a thought, best of luck!

 

[Tammi67]

I can send you some links to some fantastic sites. Sites that she can use to start learning chords and how to play the guitar, though not much how to read music.

I would be interested in those websites. I have a DD8 who got a hand me down guitar, and other than strumming around on it, doesn't know what to do. TIA!

 

[rszdtrvl]

My 13 year old son recently started learning the electric guitar.

What type of guitar does your daughter want to play - acoustic or electric?

The reason I ask is because I was told that if the child seems intent on one specific type of guitar, then that is the best one to get them because they will be more likely to practice.

We went to a local music store, and they cut us a deal on everything we needed. We got a brand new Torino TR-1 Electric Guitar, soft padded guitar case, guitar stand, amplifier, amplifier cord, guitar strap, and a set of drumsticks (for my son's rock band game) for 354.xx.

Our lessons are 1x/week and cost $15/lesson. We pay on the first lesson of the month for the entire months worth of lessons. My son's guitar teacher is amazing! He is one of the best guitar players in our county.

Good luck to you and your daughter! My son loves his guitar, it is his pride and joy, and is really enjoying his lessons. I played violin for a long time in elementary/high school, and my father plays bass guitar. Music must be in our blood!

 

[torinsmom]

My son(16) took lessons for a few weeks, but really did not enjoy them. He didn't want to learn only chords, do scales, etc. He goes online to learn the tabs and has taught himself to play really well. He plays so well that when our pastor hear him playing around, he told him he needs to get up on stage ;-)

He had an electric, bought at Target first. It was cheap in cost and quality, and a year later, I got him a nicer $300 one from a guy who repairs guitars. I got him what was listed as an acoustic online a year later, but it ended up being a classical. It was actually under $100, but was really good quality(it was on clearance) Then in August, he used his birthday money to buy an electric acoustic from a site online his friends use. It is a really excellent guitar, and it was a little over $100 as well. It's the site he and his musical friends love. I will find out the name when he gets out of bed. I paid for a 2 year warranty, just to be safe.

Marsha

 

[TallyTutter]

And I never took a single lesson. If she really does want to start without you laying out the cash, I can send you some links to some fantastic sites. Sites that she can use to start learning chords and how to play the guitar, though not much how to read music.

I would love to know those sites too!! My DD has a history of starting something & not finishing so I would like to see if she will keep an interest in guitar before committing to lessons. We have a nice guitar that she could start learning on.

Can you post those learning sites?

The thing about learning on your own using the internet is, instead of learning how to boringly play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and Mary Had a Little Lamb, she could be rocking out some Taylor Swift.

I can see how that would make her loose interest fast but if she can learn those then we'll pop for real lessons.

And speaking of guitar and Taylor Swift, last night I went on the computer real quick and looked up the chords to You Belong With Me (I can't play by ear yet.) I called my 6 year old daughter out to the living room and played. "What's that?" she asked and I told her. "No, that's not Taylor Swift" she says matter-of-factly and walked away. My wife had recorded Ellen the other day when Taylor was on for my daughter so I turned the TV on. Started playing along with Taylor on the TV and she ran back to the living room and her jaw dropped as she stared at me mesmerized like I was a god of music

That's cool!! It's awesome when you can have your children look at you like that, best feeling in the world!

 

[lucas43068]

my favorite "inexpensive" guitars are
acoustic : Martin sigmas
electric : fender squiers
and epiphones
check out guitar center, or the website, they always have great deals on used eupipment.
i suggest these because they are fairly inexpensive, and they are "cool" theres all kinds of styles for these.
check em out!

jut make sure the kids take care of em, and they will last for a long time.

 

[lucas43068]

I would love to know those sites too!! My DD has a history of starting something & not finishing so I would like to see if she will keep an interest in guitar before committing to lessons. We have a nice guitar that she could start learning on.

Can you post those learning sites?
www.ultimate-guitar.com has about any song you can think of, a lot of tabs and chords for most songs. but these are user submitted songs, so many are WAY OFF.. but kids do get tired of learning a few chords and playing "twinkle twinkle" if you could get em to learn a song they love then they are more likely to stick with it...

 

[torinsmom]

DS16 just woke up. He bought his guitar at music123.com His is the Rogue brand. This is the one he has and loves....

http://www.music123.com/Guitars/Acoustic-Electric-Guitars/6-String-Acoustic-Electric-Guitars/Grand-Concert-Cutaway-Acoustic-Electric-Guitar.site7prod519196.product

It works with and without an amp. It is more than what it was when he got his(on sale), but still a great price and great reviews. They have acoustics by the same brand.

I don't know about other people's kids, but DS can hear a song now and teach himself to play the guitar part. He will just do a search online if he needs help, like "guitar tabs for (insert name of song)"

Marsha

 

[Tinkmom]

Just wanted to throw in my opinion on a couple of things. My son has had MANY friends who had guitars and "messed around" with them, with no lessons nor learning how to read music. He got an inexpensive (not cheap, and there IS a difference as previously pointed out) guitar and took lessons with a teacher who strongly encouraged him to learn to read music, not just use tabs.

After a half dozen lessons he could play better than his friends who had had their guitars for years. Fast forward three years and all the friends with guitars who haven't had lessons still can't play well. The ones who use tabs have specifically commented that they wish they could read music, as have some older musicians who acknowledge that they are limited by their inability to read and write music. My son (who granted was gifted with some amazing musical abilities) is heavily into guitar, playing every single day, writing and having paid gigs. It is a huge part of his life and my only wish is that we had exposed him to this opportunity sooner!

Bottom line, I think the vast majority of kids would have a very hard time catching on to an instrument without some professional lessons, so you are almost setting her up to fail if you don't arrange for some lessons. (The place that we bought my son's first guitar gave us 2 free lessons, perhaps one of your local music stores would do the same?) Also, reading music is a good skill to have period, and would definitely to seem to help one in both learning songs and if you ever want to write a song.

Good luck.

 

[torinsmom]

I think it really depends on the kid and their talent. Like I said, my son tried lessons, did 4 and really did not care for them. I would have continued them if he liked them, but didn't see the point when he was learning more on his own.

He has taught himself to play all kinds of songs. He can read music and tabs(taught himself both), but prefers tabs. He can also hear a song once or twice and play it by ear. He has been playing for the last 4 years and is in the process of forming a band with kids who have been playing bass and drums for around the same amount of time. They are all self taught as well. They learn a lot from each other when they are "jamming".

 

[Dominus]

Stay away from Rogue. Your best bet is to get someone who knows about guitars and hit the pawn shops. For $200 or less you could easily walk out with an Ibanez or an ESP or something that's of higher quality that buying a new Squier or Epiphone. Quality instruments are designed to last for years if not decades, so there's no real reason you have to purchase a "new" one. As long as the neck is straight, and the hardware and/or electronics work, you're good.

As for lessons, again, if you can find someone in a local band that would like to teach someone for some extra cash, you're in business. A local musician will always be better than going to the local music store. Those instructors have way too many students. They're watching the clock, and waiting to get the next person in. They'll show you a couple of things and then you gotta do the homework, whether you understood what the homework was or not.

Trust me on this. If you have to run an add in the local music rag to find said local musician, do it. You'll be better off than dealing with the "pro" at the guitar shop.

 

[ShelliRenee]

We have bought our son a great guitar from www.musiciansfriend.com We have also bought many other musical instruments from there and have never been disappointed. So, check them out.

 

[Tinkmom]

Jay Turser makes surprisingly good guitars for the cost.

Also, I would disagree about not using a teacher you found through a music store. While there may be store employees who herd students through, I don't know anyone who has experienced that. Actually, what seems to be typical is that the store provides a room for lessons and simply gets a cut of the fee, with lessons being worked out between student and teacher.

My son's first teacher, who is also a very successful musician, gave some lessons at the store, some at other locations. We never felt rushed or cheated. On the other hand, I know two guys who give private lessons who are mediocre at both playing guitar and teaching! Nice guys, but their lessons which are pretty much a waste for a serious student. I would definitely not consider affiliation with a store to be a negative factor.

 

[csharpwv]

Be sure you know what style of music is attracting your daughter to the guitar.
The vast majority of guitar students want to play some type of popular music - whether it is Rock, Pop, Country, Contemporary Christian etc etc

There are two (or more) 'schools' of thought when it comes to the guitar.

If you are looking at a Classical Guitar - be sure it is Classical Guitar that your daughter wants to play. A Classical Guitar is meant for the playing of "Classical" music. There is a MAJOR difference in learning to play classical guitar vs. rock/pop guitar.

The most important thing for ANY music student to learn (and any student who has taken music lessons from a professional musician/teacher will agree) is scales - and common practice techniques.

To build a solid foundation on ANY instrument is the most important thing. Sure, anyone can 'drive' but knowing the traffic laws and actually operating a vehicle in 'real life' is a totally different thing.

Music education is an area that must be taken seriously from the beginning - because the last thing you want to do is your daughter to REALLY take music seriously and wish to pursue it as a career - only to find out the technique, skill, and practice style she had developed over years of lessons/learning isn't suitable for academic study of music. It happens to A LOT of students.

Be sure the teacher that you select for your daughter is one that has studied music at the academic/college level - has experience as a teacher and is accomplished as a musician.

I would suggest looking for and selecting a teacher prior to buying an instrument. They may have good advice to offer - new beginner model vs used semi-professional model - and even on the size of the instrument in regard to your daughter's body. (it does make a big difference!)

Good luck - I hope all the advice in response to your thread has helped you out!

PS - I took lessons from a local musician growing up who was accomplished, but did not have the academic/classical experience necessary to fully develop my potential. So I had a rough time in classical lessons the year before college and then through two years of college piano lessons. I volunteered as a church musician for 3 years and I was employed as a church musician for 7 years through and after college.

Other than life and the values and faith my parents instilled in me - the next greatest thing I am thankful for was my parents investment in my piano lessons for 8 years - and lessons from two teachers my last year of high school.

 

[kacaju]

Jay Turser makes surprisingly good guitars for the cost.

Also, I would disagree about not using a teacher you found through a music store. While there may be store employees who herd students through, I don't know anyone who has experienced that. Actually, what seems to be typical is that the store provides a room for lessons and simply gets a cut of the fee, with lessons being worked out between student and teacher.

My son's first teacher, who is also a very successful musician, gave some lessons at the store, some at other locations. We never felt rushed or cheated. On the other hand, I know two guys who give private lessons who are mediocre at both playing guitar and teaching! Nice guys, but their lessons which are pretty much a waste for a serious student. I would definitely not consider affiliation with a store to be a negative factor.

I agree, my dd takes lessons from our Mom and Pop store and she has had two instructors who have both been excellent. The olny reason she has had two is because I had to switch her days and her first instructor was not working on the day I had to switch her too. They did let her try a few lessons over the summer with the new instructor to be sure she liked him before we switched. We never feel rushed and she always is sure of her homework before leaving.