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Original poster

Is it worth buying a guitar for a 6 year old?

16 replies

Givemestrengthorgin · 16/07/2019 19:27

My DS is about to have his 6th birthday. He seems keen on music so I was thinking of getting him a half size guitar. But don't know if he's a bit too young to really get much out of it yet and if I should wait a year or two. I am completely tone deaf and not at all musical so a bit clueless as to how realistic it is that he would enjoy it. Anyone else got their 6 year one a guitar and recommend it...or not?

OP posts:

IncyWincyGrownUp · 16/07/2019 20:15

My son has two guitars and a ukulele. He got the uke at 5, the first guitar when he was six, he’s seven now.

He loves his instruments, and has group and private lessons.

His electric is a 1/4 sized, but the acoustic is a ‘travel sized’ decentish guitar.

For something to ply with to test waters, places like Norman’s and Gear4Music have cheap and cheerful starter guitars for children. :)

ilovespinach · 16/07/2019 20:30

We went ahead and bought DS2 a guitar for his birthday. It spends most of it's time in the corner of the room. His Keyboard however, still gets almost daily use....

Yellowweatherwarning · 16/07/2019 20:32

I know a boy who has had lessons since 5. Proper tiny guitar cost £165!!
He is still going at 7...

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drowningincustard · 16/07/2019 20:42

our dd is 6 and we got her a guitar 2 christmases ago. she just strums and pretends to play most of the time but now has actually asked for lessons to do it properly. we can't do that at the moment but I am thinking of suggesting it to grandparents as a possible christmas present...

StillMedusa · 16/07/2019 20:42

He needs lessons to go with it or it will sit in a corner. Start him now..he might be the next Brian May :)

StillMedusa · 16/07/2019 20:45

And I second Gear4Music for a cheap half sized guitar. I have a £60 one (full size obviously!) which I use in school in case the kids wreck it (I work in special ed and everyone is allowed to touch)...an keep my very expensive one firmly at home :)

Pythonesque · 16/07/2019 20:53

I agree that the key thing with "interested in music" at this age, is to see what lessons you can access for him, with a teacher who has experience with younger children. That could mean you end up with a guitar, or a ukulele first, or perhaps recorder or even strings or brass ... (do make sure you check what your county music service offers, amongst other options)

If you can't find / afford a suitable instrumental teacher at this point, I would highly recommend looking for a music group that might be largely singing / percussion based - a good one will develop musicianship skills better than starting straight in on an instrument.

(doi teach violin and will consider them from 4 ...)

Good luck and hope you enjoy his musical journey!

Youwantshoesinashoeshop · 16/07/2019 21:06

Lessons are key. But yes, prime age for starting learning.

Your local music hub might rent instruments at a reduced cost.

I would go straight for a proper instrument myself, not ukulele etc. Not much opportunity to play those as an adult unless you're in a George Formby tribute band..Ditto recorders, you might as well learn something that actually sounds nice like clarinet, flute, etc.

Youwantshoesinashoeshop · 16/07/2019 21:08

Plus, unless yu ahve a true prodigy, be prepared to force music practice for a few years. It's like anything, should be seen same as learning to read, spell, swim, ride a bike etc..good for you!

Some kids just do it, others need a bit of encouragement.

MonstranceClock · 16/07/2019 21:15

My daughter got one for her 4th birthday. She loves it, but she is very drawn towards music.

ZeldaPrincessOfHyrule · 16/07/2019 21:49

Ukulele is easier to pick up and play than the guitar, and they're cheaper too...

SmartPlay · 17/07/2019 14:31

I think it's pointless to get a child an instrument (a proper one, not a toy), without music lessons.
If he's interested in learning an instrument, a term or year worth of lessons would be a better gift. You can rent the instrument during that time and if he still wants to play after at least a year get him his own instrument.

Original poster

Givemestrengthorgin · 17/07/2019 16:22

Thanks all. We have opted for a ukulele as for now I think he just wants something to play about with and he can do that with a ukulele without me stressing too much about him busting it. If he is keen a few months down the line we can look at a guitar and lessons to go with it.

OP posts:

crazylady7 · 17/07/2019 16:28

talking from personal experience here. I wanted to play the flute so my parents at 6 sent me to have flute lessons and i hated it after a few weeks but i were made to go for a year or so and it ended up being torture going to the classes. At about 8 they sent me off for piano lessons.. again i hated it. But i had an acoustic guitar in my room since 5 and i always picked it up and imagined or pretended i were able to play. When i were 13 and got my first job, the first thing i did were book in guitar lessons, and 10 year later i am now a professional guitar teacher :) Unpopular view but i feel personally, being sent to lessons, it made me hate it. But having that little guitar that i dreamt of playing from so young, made me grow a passion and love for it and inspired/ motivated me to actually WANT to learn :) I'd definitely say to get him a guitar, he may not show anymore than a strum of it here and there or a bit of fun, but who knows what it could do for him in the future:)

Original poster

Givemestrengthorgin · 17/07/2019 16:33

@crazylady7 thank you...wise words from a crazy lady

OP posts:

ContactLight · 17/07/2019 16:47

It's a lovely idea, but it might depend on how big his hands are! Some kids have tiny little fingers and he might have a real struggle with it until he grows a bit.

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