Music for babies - advice on learning the guitar

[OldieMum]

I love singing to my dd and she seems to enjoy it too. I want to learn the guitar, as I think we would both enjoy some accompaniment. I can't afford lessons, though. Can someone recommend a good teach-yourself book? More importantly, can anyone who knows about guitars give me some tips on what to look for when I buy one? I'd like to get one that's relatively cheap, but not so cheap that I'll regret not having bought a better one if my guitar playing goes beyond Three Blind Mice. Thanks.

dp wants to learn guitar too, so I hope you get some replies oldiemum. For his birthday I've just bought him a first steps learning guitar book from amazon. Can't remember name but if you search under learn guitar you'll find it ! Good luck.

Does he have a guitar already? Help, please, I know nothing about what to look for when buying one.

I don't know any technical info but if you went to a guitar shop and explained exactly what you want, they'd be able to give you advice.

I think the easiest way to learn is to get a book with songs in, with the chord symbols printed. Then you match up the dots on the symbols to your fingers on the strings. I taught myself that way (though my guitar playing is nothing to write home about!).

be careful that you don't get one with a very high action (i.e. the strings are a long way from the fretboard) because it really kills your fingers! Go into a music shop and ask their advice, music shop people are usually enthusiasts who are more than happy to help - good luck!