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glinNC
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| Posted: Aug 23 2008 at 7:20pm | IP Logged
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Has anybody had any success helping your child learn to play the guitar at home? My 8 yr. old wants one for his birthday, and I am looking for a resource where we can incorporate it in our day without having to play for lessons. I want to determine if he will really be interested in it before adding another thing to our busy schedule. Also, I have NO clue how to play a guitar. 
I would appreciate any recommendations you may have! Thanks!
glinNC
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guitarnan
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| Posted: Aug 23 2008 at 8:53pm | IP Logged
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Well, I've played guitar for 36 years. There are some DVDs out there that are supposedly pretty good for basic instruction. The main things to think about are:
Eight is a bit young (although I knew guitar was my instrument by then) because most children have short fingers and attention spans at that age. It is very important to start SLOWLY and build up via 15-20 minute practice sessions per day to build up your calluses on your left fingertips. Practicing more is counterproductive because you end up with sore and blistered fingertips, and then you give up.
If your son has long-ish fingers for age 8, he could start, and a DVD or video program could work. If his fingers are average or short, it would be better to wait a year or two.
Guitar Hero is NOT like real guitar. Once your son starts learning real guitar, he should not play a game like Guitar Hero until he's well grounded in technique. (I could never play that game...it's not like playing lead at all!)
I know exactly how your son feels...to be 8 and not be able to play the instrument you love...but he does need to know that short-fingered boys will 1) grow and 2) have long fingers eventually. He will need to be disciplined enough to pace his initial practice sessions so he can build up calluses instead of blisters.
Having said all this...I was called to guitar ministry at age 8, and it took me two years to persuade my parents I was serious. I got my first guitar at age 10 and have been playing ever since. It has been a rewarding ministry, for sure!
One other tip. Do NOT buy a cheap starter guitar from Wal-Mart or anywhere else. Go to a couple of local music stores and actually handle the guitars on offer. If the cost is too high, look for similar used ones on Craigslist or your local paper's website. $50 kid guitars generally aren't worth the money. They don't stay in tune and they aren't well-made.
HTH!
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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glinNC
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| Posted: Aug 23 2008 at 9:03pm | IP Logged
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That helps a LOT, guitarnan! Thanks! I had to laugh at your recommendation to NOT buy a guitar from Wal-Mart. That is exactly where I was planning on going because I wasn't sure if this would work out!
Do you know of any Suzuki guitar methods?
Maybe I should encourage the piano for starters like his 6 yr old brother! 
Thank you for the tips!! 
glinNC
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TracyQ
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| Posted: Aug 26 2008 at 1:06pm | IP Logged
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We bought our daughter a smaller sized guitar to start, which she's still using at 13, because she's so short and small. She'll need a bigger one soon (maybe her birthday). 
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Blessings and Peace,
Tracy Q.
wife of Marty for 20 years, mom of 3 wonderful children (1 homeschool graduate, 1 12th grader, and a 9th grader),
 homeschooling in 15th year in Buffalo, NY
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glinNC
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| Posted: Aug 26 2008 at 1:39pm | IP Logged
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It was recommended to me, since posting here, that I start him with a ukelele since it is smaller (4 strings) and easier to learn. Once he gets older, he'll be physically able to handle a guitar, and the 4 strings that he learned on the uke will be half of what he'll need to learn on the guitar! So, that's where I'm heading now ... looking for a ukelele with simple instructions for me to guide him. 
Thanks,
glinNC
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cvbmom
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Let me know if you find anything good with the ukelele. I have an 8 year old ds who would like to learn guitar, but it's been rather difficult since I don't know how to play myself. He has a smaller guitar, but we don't even know how to tune it  , let alone play it (any suggestions here would be nice too).
Thanks!
Christine
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Wife to dh - 18 years!
Mom to dd (16), ds (15), dd, (12), dd (11), ds (9), dd (8), dd (7), ds (5), dd (3), ds (2), and ds (1)
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KariW
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| Posted: Aug 29 2008 at 1:49pm | IP Logged
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Hello, my husband really likes the Mel Bay instruction books and there is one for teaching guitar to children. We have seen it on eBay for not too much money.
Good luck!
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Kari
Wife of Mike (6/01)
Mom to Charlie (9/03) & Molly (11/06), baby 12/09
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4Real Forums : The Arts in the Everyday
Topic: TEACHING GUITAR AT HOME
