Guitar for 7yr old

[SparklingDinosaurs]

Any advice on this? His dad is willing to teach him but said not to get one from Symths Etc as they’ll just shred his fingers. He hadn’t given me any other ideas of when to look though! Child sized and not too £££ was I’m not sure how he’ll take to it though seems keen for now. Thinking electric as that’s what his dad uses. Any suggestions? Also for any learning books or accessories etc? Thank you.

You need to go to a music shop or site like gear4music or thomann. Classical guitars come in lots of sizes, it will be harder to find a small enough electric guitar for a 7 year old that isn't a toy. They are a lot heavier too. Here is an article with suggestions:

www.guitarworld.com/features/8-great-guitars-for-kids-acoustic-and-electric-guitar-options-for-children

Thank you I will look those up. I’m not musical at all and DH isn’t being much help - does everyone thing he’s right regard ones for Symths etc being useless (hurting his fingers etc).

I have no experience of the Smyths electric guitars or any toy electric guitar so I can't really say. IMO the difference between a toy acoustic guitar and a proper instrument is huge though. I am a string player though, not a guitarist, although one of my DC plays and started at around the same age.

My experience of toy/very cheap instruments is that they can be harder to play as well as harder to make a decent sound (both of which are off putting and frustrating for a beginner), and they aren't great at staying in tune. Musical instruments are designed to facilitate playing with the least physical effort eg to make it easy to move your hand up and down the neck smoothly, press the strings etc but a toy instrument is designed to be cheap IYSWIM

The Smyths guitar only has one pick up and no volume/tone controls/whammy bar etc. I guess it's fine for learning to play just the chords/notes but not how to play the instrument. I don't think he would be able to use it with your DH's kit either eg pedals/amp etc.

I don't think it is great value at £80 as you would need to replace it fairly soon once your DS has learnt the basics. If he doesn't enjoy it and gives up, a real instrument is a big investment though. Maybe you could consider buying a secondhand instrument?

There is a guitar called a loop.its three strings and has an app...apparently good for kids to learn on.

Thank you so much @orangenasturtium that is lots of really great advice which is so helpful. I appreciate you taking time to write all that. Totally open to second hand as well so will explore that route too.

Thanks for the on the Loop Barms I’ll check that out also.

Would you like me to PM you OP?

I’m selling my 11 year old guitar obsessed guitar as as he’s moving.

It’s perfect condition as been truly loved and cared for. Looks new. And I have a stand, music book holder and starter music book.

It is acoustic though? (Good to start learning on)

We got a great junior one from gear4music

My 7 year old has one of these. He got it aged 5. They do different colours. He loves it, it stays in tune, it’s the correct size, it plays well, it’s nice to hold. It is more expensive than a cheap argos beginner pack but it’s a nice instrument and will last until he is big enough for a larger size..

www.andertons.co.uk/best-electric-guitars-for-beginners/jackson-js-1x-dk-minion-w-amaranth-fretboard-pvo-prpl

If your husband has an amp your ds could use that instead of having his own as it’s a regular guitar but smaller.

Thanks for the info everyone. Lots to consider.

Yes feel free to PM me @Jroseforever thanks.