Author: Jake

I frequently get asked, “Is my son/daughter old enough to play the guitar?”

And while the answer varies (see this article)…. here is PROOF that even 5 year olds can play guitar.

This is one of my students (currently in kindergarten), rocking a solo version of “You are my Sunshine”.

By the way, she won her division in the contest, as well as the talent portion of the contest.  I am a super proud guitar teacher.

(Jake Posko does in-home and online guitar lessons in the Annapolis, Maryland area including: Annapolis, Edgewater, Severna Park, Pasadena, Crownsville, Arnold and Kent Island, inquire about lessons by e-mailing him at jake@jakeposko.com).

This post may contain affiliate links.  Please read my disclosure for more info.

The Holidays are coming.

Maybe your kids are asking for a guitar.

Awesome!

But you may be wondering the best guitar to get a beginner.

Here’s the criteria I look for in a beginner guitar:

Note: (if you don’t want to read all of this, just skip down to “Step 2” below for my recommendations). 

✓ Inexpensive and cheap

✓ Actually sounds good when played

✓ Good quality (will not break or fall apart)

✓ Looking to spend between $100 – $200 

 

Here’s what we want to avoid:

✗ Toy guitars (anything you buy at Walmart, Target, etc). 

✗ Cheaply made of plastic or poor quality materials

✗ Something that is not returnable/non-refundable

✗ Less than $100 (usually guitar this cheap, aren’t worth it). 

Here’s what to do:

Step 1: Decide on an Acoustic vs an Electric

Decide if your child wants an acoustic or electric guitar. Contrary to popular belief you do NOT need to learn to play an acoustic guitar before learning the electric.  

Not sure what they want to play?  Just ask them.

Still not sure?

If they’re more on the rock/pop/blues/country/heavy metal side of the music spectrum… Get an electric. 

If they’re more on the softer/quieter/classical/jazz side of the music spectrum… Get an acoustic.

Still not sure?

Look at the music/bands they listen to… do those musicians play acoustic or electric.

Still not sure?

Just get an acoustic.

Step 2: Here’s What to Buy

 

If your child wants an electric guitar, get this:

For the guitar, I’d suggest a Fender Squier. 

NOTE: If your child is on the smaller size (11 years and younger), you may want to get a Fender Squier “Mini”

Squiers and Squier “Minis” are good quality for the price, and run between $100 and $130. Tons of different colors to choose from.  They’re great for all kinds of music: country, rock, blues, pop, heavy metal… pretty much anything.  These are pretty much the standard when it comes to entry level guitars (for kids and adults).

You’ll also need an amplifier and a guitar cable. 

I like this Line 6 model.

And a guitar cable like this.

 

If your child wants an acoustic guitar, get this: 

If your child wants an acoustic guitar, get this Fender FA – 100

It’s about $100 and will last forever.  Great entry level guitar.

NOTE: If your child is on the smaller size (usually ages 11 or younger), you may want a smaller (3/4) sized guitar like this Yamaha model.

Conclusion

You’ll do well to get any of the guitars listed above.

Again… avoid anything that looks like a toy or can be purchased a toy store.  These are not real guitars and can be very difficult to play and keep in tune.  They also tend to break and fall apart easily.

Also… you may want to check out some cool guitar accessories here (nice stocking stuffers). 

That’s it.  If you still have questions, hit me up on Facebook or e-mail me.  I’m happy to help!

 

So originally, I was going to post a link to an article I read about how music impacts your brain…

and is a good thing to learn…

and keeps you sharp…

in old age…

blah blah blah.

The author raised great points.  But it was kinda boring.

Obviously there are benefits to learning how to play music.  Some scientific, some less so.

But then I came across this article from the Huffington Post (by Peter Greene, a teacher and writer, here’s his blog).

I don’t know him… and I’m not sure how I feel about his approach to scaling back the “music as a defense” defense.

But I will say that I love what he has to say about the benefits and power of music.

The article expresses feelings I’ve had (and currently have…. and probably will forever have) about learning music, performing music, writing songs, listening to music, and playing with other musicians and friends.

It made me think about a conversation I had over a decade ago.

I had just finished one of my first gigs as an opening act, and the parents of a friend of mine happened to be at the show.

They asked me something like… “Where do you get the inspiration to write your songs?”

My answer was something like, “I’ve tried to stop writing music… and do something more respectable… more normal.  But the songs just keep coming.”

For me, music was (and is) just some weird and magical thing that just kind of clicks with me.  And I think Peter Greene’s article does a great job of articulating that.  Check it out here.

(Jake Posko does in-home and online guitar lessons in the Annapolis, Maryland area including: Annapolis, Edgewater, Severna Park, Pasadena, Crownsville, Arnold and Kent Island, inquire about lessons by e-mailing him at jake@jakeposko.com).

Photo Credit: vxla

One of the coolest things about teaching guitar is seeing the progress my students make.

It’s crazy to see someone go from ABSOLUTE ZERO EXPERIENCE to being able to IMPROVISE AND JAM with other musicians.

But…

This is a double edged sword.

Why?

Because it means I need to step up MY GAME so my students can keep progressing.

It also means that I need to provide opportunities for my students to play/jam/engage with other musicians.

Which can be tough.

It’s hard for new(ish) guitar players to make the leap from playing alone (or with the teacher) to playing with other musicians (even if it is just an informal jam session).

So what can you do if you’re ready to make the leap?

I came across a great post/comment on reddit (you can read it in full here).

A few of the tips listed include:

Learn the Minor Pentatonic Scale

I usually teach it in small and easily digestible boxes.  There are arguments as to whether or not this is the best practice… but for the beginner/casual guitar player I think it makes learning how to play solos/improvise easily accessible.

I start with Box 1 of the minor pentatonic scale, then continue with the rest of the boxes.  But honestly…. if you just stuck with Box 1… and got REALLY comfortable with it… you’d be in pretty good shape.

The pentatonic scale is great because you can set yourself up in one position and any note you play within the scale/key will sound good.  No sour notes.

 

Learn Your Bar Chords

There are two types/shapes of bar chords I start with:  E shape (with the root of the chord on the E String) and A shape (with the root on the A string).

Learn a few different chords within each shape (e.g. E, Em, E7, Em7).

If you can do this you will be able to pretty much hold your own in just about any key.

As long as you….

Learn the Notes on the E String and A String

Start with the E string.  Learn the notes on the the frets with the dots.  When you’re feeling good about that, learn the other ones.

Same approach with the A string.

Not only with this help with bar chords (as mentioned above)… it will help with your soloing (e.g. Box 1 of the Pentatonic Scale).

Soon enough you’ll be able to hit chords like Dbm as easily as an open G chord.

Don’t Play So Much and LISTEN

A lot of musicians (especially guitar players) feel the need to CONSTANTLY PLAY.   This means…

Playing over other instruments…

Playing over the vocalist….

Playing over other guitar players…

Playing super fast…

Playing every single note in the scale….

The list goes on.  The idea is that too many guitar players (both beginner and experienced) focus TOO MUCH ON THEIR OWN PLAYING.   Or more importantly…. they DO NOT LISTEN TO THE REST OF THE BAND.

Instead of trying to sound impressive or be the fastest or best guitar player…. instead focus on listening to the other musicians and MAKING THEM SOUND BETTER.  

This can be hard to grasp.

It will feel weird to just kind of sit there while others play.

But it’s ok.

Listen to the musicians.

Find a note that you can play to accent a chord.  Or just a small pattern of 3 or 4 notes (a riff) that compliments a chord progression.

Keep it simple.

Not only with this sound better… it will make you appear more knowledgeable.  It will turn you into the musician that others seek out and actually WANT TO PLAY WITH.

Bottom line…

There is a difference between jamming along to a backing track and playing with other humans.

Backing tracks are fun… and are a great way to experiment and develop your skills.

Jamming with other people is a whole different experience… and incredibly rewarding.   Improvising and instantly creating new sounds, songs, and music is a crazy and personal joy.

I don’t really know how to explain it… I think it’s something that must be experienced to really understand.

(Jake Posko does in-home and online guitar lessons in the Annapolis, Maryland area including: Annapolis, Edgewater, Severna Park, Pasadena, Crownsville, Arnold and Kent Island, inquire about lessons by e-mailing him at jake@jakeposko.com).