Choosing a guitar for your child can be overwhelming! There are so many types and sizes out there. How best to spend your dollars, and which kind do you buy?? Here are a few variables that will help you narrow it down.
A few things to consider when purchasing a guitar for your child:
- Age
- Size
- Level
- and…… Commitment
Acoustic guitars come in 3 sizes:
- 1/2 size (small)
- 3/4 size (medium)
- Full or Standard size.
Brooklyn Music Factory Recommendations: (CLICK on each link to view!)
However if you have a very committed 8 year old in need of a new guitar, a full size is recommended, this way he or she can enjoy the same guitar for many years to come.
There are 2 types of Acoustic guitars to consider: Nylon String and Steel string. Both types come in all three sizes.
Nylon String: Nylon strings are thicker than steel strings and tend to be easier on the fingers.
The neck is a bit wider to accommodate the thicker strings. The sound is softer and smoother than steel string. They are ideal for finger style playing.
These guitars are generally used professionally for Classical, Flamenco and Latin styles.
I strongly recommend Nylon String for beginners. They are more “user friendly.” The above recommendations are nylon, nylon, and steel string (full size).
Steel String: Steel string guitars have a bigger and louder sound. The strings are harder on the left hand fingers, they are thinner and have more tension which requires more force to hold them down. These guitars are ideal for strumming and using a pick on the right hand.
Professionally, steel string guitars are used for country, rock and folk music.
Sometimes full size steel strings can be very difficult to play and discouraging for a kid. Once you get used to steel string, and everybody does, the sound can be extremely rewarding. There may be a transition period where you’ll hear, “my fingers hurt!” for a while, but your guitar teacher can help with this transition as your student builds up her finger strength.
Tip: Don’t always settle for the cheapest. Sometimes cheap instruments can be very unrewarding to a kid. Spending an extra $50 or so can make a huge difference. The above recommendations are all solid choices.
ENJOY!
-Dan
Guitar/Bass/Band teacher
Brooklyn Music Factory
