Learning to play the guitar. Advice please!

[RatherBeOnThePiste]

DS is 11 and is keen to start guitar. He has never learnt an instrument before apart from recorder. He can have lessons through his secondary in September. I know nothing about the guitar though!

He can learn classical or electric. Of course he fancies electric, but would it be better learning the basics on a classical type guitar? Or does it not really matter? Is one harder to master than the other?

I am not sure how long his enthusiasm will last, but at the moment he is keen.

Thanks

It doesn't matter really. He will have to learn chord shapes and strumming and picking whichever. The important thing is that he enjoys it. They will both be equally difficult to begin with.

There's no point making him learn classical if he doesn't want to play classical pieces and vice versa. Does he listen to classical music at all? Therein lies your answer.

Also, don't tell him to practise. Ask him to play. Much more fun from his point of view.

Both my DDs started the guitar at the same time. DD1 went down the Rock school route and DD2 started on the classical guitar (her teacher at the time thought it suited her better.)

DD2 gave it up after about 18 months- hated it as she had no interest in playing classical sorts of tunes.

DD1 continued and recently passed Grade 4.
I have to say I was a bit sniffy about Rock School to start with but it is equally difficult as the classical syllabus but the technique is totally different.

Last year DD2 took up the guitar again with another teacher at her school but electric this time. Her teacher gets the kids playing in groups and will write out songs they know to learn. She absolutely loves it and I never have problems getting her to practise.

Oh and he could learn electro-accoustic! (It'll be the same as the others though.)

I am thinking electric then! He wants to learn for pleasure so I can see what you say about classical.

DH likes the fact that he can get headphones!

Good. The only downside is that you'll have to get an amp as well. You can get little ones for less than £30 though.

I had a little flick on google and there are some starter kits for beginners. Unfortunately around here I cannot find one to hire. The school hires traditional stuff, clarinets, cellos etc. Not this sort of thing. And you can hire one free for a term whilst they find out if they like it. I did try to persuade him onto something from this list but you can imagine the reaction I got. Still he is doing this for fun!!

Thanks for the advice. I much appreciate it!

There are some brilliant electric guitar stater kits. We got one for DD2 at christmas from Gear4music. Starter packs which include the leads, amp and guitar start at about £75.

The package we got DD had an amp, guitar, case, leads, spare strings, a tuner, tuition DVD, picks and a stand for £110! Well worth a look.

That's brilliant thank you!

out of interest Brigit - how old were your two when they were starting electric?

DD1 was 10.
DD2 (when she restarted the guitar) was 11.

ds has a friend who started self-teaching electric guitar at about 11 or 12. He's pretty good now & has never has lessons.

There is a difference between classical & acoustic guitars - they're a different shape, & classicals are slightly smaller as I found out when I accidentally bought a classical bag & the acoustic didn't fit in it (although if you bought a package that wouldn't be an issue). I don't know if they make a different sound though.

classical
acoustic

There is loads of rock-type music out there that sounds just as good on acoustic as electric (think "unplugged"!)

My son started teaching himself at 14 & managed OK, although he had had piano lessons when he was younger so knew a bit about music, but you can get guitar music as tabs like the bits on the L which show you where to put your fingers. The internet is brilliant, you can download music & play-along videos of anything!

Mine started out on a 6-string acoustic & he now has a 12-string, a 6-string electro-acoustic & a Fender Telecaster - be prepared to accommodate a wardrobe of guitars!

Brigit - thanks - so very similar in age, thanks for the link too - DS was like woooooooaaaaaaahhhhhh when he saw the basic black one!!

When DD was younger she learnt the keyboards, did well up to Grade 2 then couldn't keep it up when she went to secondary - too much else on. We ended up buying two keyboards because the first wasn't technical enough when she got to around Grade 2, so I just wonder, is a guitar as complex? Is a basic starter one going to last for a while? I'm sure they will, they don't seem to be so technical as the keyboard was.

Snorkie - I'm hoping he will do this too, sort of experiment with it as well as have lessons, my GD who is very similar in age does.

Ponders - Are yours in a band?! My GS is a drummer and they always have 'band practice' round at theirs because he can't move his drums. All these teens with guitars arrive to practice!

Thanks all, this has really been enormously helpful, I am indebted to you

Yes he is in a band & they do practise at the drummer's house (luckily it's the biggest house )

I think a guitar will go on as long as you want it to - if it sounds OK to begin with it'll go on sounding OK! You need to change the strings regularly though because they get a bit tired & dirty.

That £79 package of Brigit's looks fantastic value!

Well that is what I thought, it looks ideal for the complete beginner.

If you write with your right hand, I take it you need a right handed guitar, and the same in reverse for lefties?! I see there are left handed guitars in that list.

Am glad Ds doesn't want to do the drums

DD 1 has just passed her grade 4 on a starter electric guitar. She has been playing for 3 and a half years so a good starter guitar can last for quite a while.

I would recommend a full size guitar (unless he's tiny)-some of the ones on the link were 3/4 size.

Yes if he's right handed then get a right handed guitar (most are anyway.)