I have never even held a guitar but always had a passion for a piano or a guitar. I would like to buy a guitar for my son. I don't know what to look for when shopping for a guitar. How many strings it should have and are there different types and sounds, etc.
2007-06-08 02:35:13 · 11 answers · asked by Pretty 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Performing Arts
Definitely buy your son a guitar. It is admirable that you see the desire which your son has to learn and grow and you wish to encourage him. The best advice I can give you since I am not a musician myself, but I am a parent, is to begin asking your friends and neighbors if they know anyone who plays guitar and ask them for advice.
Your local music store, not the big-conglomerate types, is also generally helpful in this area also. My daughter plays violin and my son plays drums, and whenever I go into the local shop near my home, I get useful advice from them and I am not ripped off. After checking out the deals I got on instruments from my local store with friends of mine, they tell me that the store “did the right thing” by me. Their goal is to build a client base of returning customers and they can't afford to rip anyone off. If they give people bad advice and continually overcharge, they will go out of business.
You can start with an inexpensive, six string guitar for your son, preferably an acoustic one as it won't need an amplifier and its better that your son builds up the finger strength on an acoustic fret board first as opposed to a somewhat easier electric guitar. Also, an acoustic guitar will be easier on yours, and your neighbor's ears. If your son decides he does not ant to play anymore, he can quit guitar and you did not spend too much money. Also, the guitar is there so you can learn to play it too. Good luck.
2007-06-08 02:51:03 · answer #1 · answered by Mr. Grudge 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Can you buy him a guitar? I don't know. Can you afford it?
Should you buy him a guitar? Absolutely. According to your statement, your son shows interest and has a passion to learn. Let him learn all that he can from music to mountains.
When buying a guitar, the number of strings depend on the type of guitar. For instance, a bass guitar only has four strings, whereas, a lead guitar has five (I think). Since he's just exploring at this point, you should go for something cheap until he finds himself.
Read the Wikipedia info about the difference in the two instruments and explore other websites for more information regarding this interesting hobby.(Maybe career)
Good Luck!!!
2007-06-08 11:24:25 · answer #2 · answered by Talaupa 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Acoustic is harder to learn upon. I have and do teach kids of this age. It is important to remember that a key to a child's learning success is their level of commitment which is enhanced by their enjoyment of what they are doing. If they find the going too tough on the acoustic it's likely they'll lose interest pretty fast. All previous comments re acoustic I agree with. However you can buy cheap starter packages with electric guitar/amp which will be suitable. I would recommend electric simply because I find that there will be more interest shown due to it's relative ease in learning compared with an acoustic. He will still develop callouses. He will get his hand around the neck more easily. Just because it's electric doesn't mean he's only going to learn/play rock. You can then buy a cheap acoustic when he had progressed. I would also recommend that you speak with some of your local guitar tutors to hear their thoughts on the matter.
2016-03-13 07:36:55 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Visit your local reputable music store with your son and, with the assistance of the salesclerk and guitar technician on board, buy a six-string acoustic guitar for $300 or less. Most of the guitars are larger in body size, such is called dreadnoughts, but the store may have a parlor-size guitar that could fit better your son's grasp.
You need to buy a beginner's guitar manual that has basic chords, basic music theory, and illustrations that depict how the guitar is held, tuned, and operated.
Most good music stores offer guitar instruction, ranging from $12.50 for a half hour to $22 for an hour, depending on your geographical location.
Most important, is it your son's desire to play guitar and not yours? Consider buying guitars for both you and your son and learn together.
2007-06-08 05:57:23 · answer #4 · answered by Guitarpicker 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Late elementary school or early middle school is an excellent time to introduce your son to written music. Most school music programs (band and strings) also start between fourth and seventh grade. Start him out on an inexpensive acoustic guitar. When he has learned how to play it, if he wishes, he can learn to play an electric guitar.
Your local music store should be able to furnish you with a list of reputable guitar teachers in your area, or you may know a guitar-playing neighborhood teenager who would like to earn a little extra cash this summer. Of course, the Internet advertises guitar lessons on line, but nothing beats hands-on teaching.
2007-06-08 03:00:07 · answer #5 · answered by Ellie Evans-Thyme 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would go with a 6 string acoustic. 11 is a great age for him to start learning to play guitar. I would look around in your area for guitar teachers as well.
2007-06-08 06:16:21 · answer #6 · answered by spark8118 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
buy it up. 6 strings. for a cheap, good beginners guitar, i'd buy a squier. it looks like a fender but is about 500 cheaper. so if he doesn't like it, you're 200 out instead of 700. it's a basic rock guitar.
2007-06-08 02:46:19 · answer #7 · answered by i'mbeingseriuos 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes! Buy him a guitar and take him with you when you buy it so he can help you pick it out. Ask the sales clerk which guitar would be best for a beginner.
2007-06-08 02:43:45 · answer #8 · answered by DSLyons 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are a lot of nice guitars here:
http://beststudentviolins.com/guitars.html#studentguitars
and find him a good teacher. Suzuki method has guitar teachers, and these would be a good choice.
To find teachers, see:
How to locate teachers and violin shops:
http://beststudentviolins.com/PedagogyTech.html#1
Good luck!
2007-06-08 03:24:08 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you sure can......before you do though i would try to find him a teacher and maybe think of doing this together with your son..the teacher will be able to recommend something for a beginer..this way you are not buyig your som something that is harder to use and he gets frustrated..my daughter started on a acustic guaitar that her teacher provided till she was sure she wanted to do the lessons....the teacher happened to be one of my bosses who played in a band for years growing up..he heard me talking about trying to find one and he offered..so i would talk to friends and co-workers and find someone willing to teach..the cost is cheapper and you can get more out of it..he did it for us for 15 bucks an hours and we bough the books he told us to..she plays wonderfully now
2007-06-08 02:44:15 · answer #10 · answered by becca9892003 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋