Kid Guitars
Archive for the ‘Discount Children's Guitars’ Category
When a child picks up her first electric guitar, the instrument has a very foreign feel. None of the skills that will later come naturally are inherent or instinctual, so it’s best to sign up for classical lessons as soon as possible. That will eliminate the potential for picking up bad habits. Still, it doesn’t hurt to experiment right out of the gate. One of the most distinctive and popular features of a kids electric guitar is the whammy bar.
Properly known as the tremolo arm, this contraption is attached to the bridge of the guitar and it directly controls the tension of the strings. When the strings are given extra slack, the sound produced is lower in pitch; as they are tightened the sound picks up significantly in pitch. While it’s fun to experiment with the effects one can derive with a whammy bar, it’s important to note that frequent use of the lever will cause the strings to go out of tune. Reinforce with your child that there are repercussions associated with overuse of the tremolo arm.
Rock and rap have long been the dominant forms of popular music here in America; every once in a while you’ll hear a novelty song or a particularly catchy piece of world music pick up some steam on the charts, but those instances are few and far between. By listening strictly to Top 40 radio or chart-topping mp3s, a young guitarist is deprived of the influences that went into creating rock music as we know it.
The most obvious forerunner to rock was blues music. When kids pick up childrens electric guitars, they should be encouraged to learn a few blues licks. Blues is structurally simple but emotionally complex – one’s vocals and method of playing guitar make a huge difference. Still, it’s possible for a total amateur to create serviceable blues songs in a relatively short period of time. When the kid becomes frustrated with more elaborate songs, try switching back to basics with an old blues standard.
Although there’s something to be said for the vast leap audio technology has taken in recent years, I can’t help but think there’s something missing. The prevalence of Auto Tune and other modifying effects have worked to obscure genuine musicianship from studio wizardry. It’s hard to know if your favorite artists are competent musicians or if they merely hired a talented producer.
That’s why the live concert setting remains my favorite way to experience music. I like to hear the way an artist changes his playing style to make up for the lack of studio effects. In some cases it takes a real effort and some quick thinking to salvage a song that would otherwise fall flat out in public. For this reason, I’ve pushed my son to start playing kids guitars. I want him to know how much work it is to learn how to play an instrument the right way, and how rewarding that experience becomes as one grows up.
If you’ve seen the hilarious faux documentary “Spinal Tap,” you might remember that the titular band turns all of its amps up full-blast. In fact, they aren’t even satisfied with the “max” setting, upping the ante to 11. While this idea makes for good comedy, it’s hardly the recipe for success as a new guitarist. Balancing the equalizer settings on childrens electric guitars amps can mean the difference between pristine sound and a muddled mess.
To set the equalizer, begin by switching to a clean, clear sound without reverb. Switch the bass, mid and treble settings to zero. Fine-tuning the bass settings requires that you strum a power chord featuring the lowest two strings. Crank the dial up until you hear an audible swell in noise and keep the setting where it is. Repeat this process with the middle two strings for mid and the highest strings for treble. You’ll need to start the process anew if you switch rooms, as the new venue will feature different acoustics.
Parents can instill all of the discipline and rules that they want on a child, but the fact remains that kids’ attention spans are limited. If they aren’t constantly being challenged and engaged by what they’re learning, it’s easy for them to lose interest. This is especially true for the childrens guitar – practices aren’t always fun, but a practice regimen is obviously for the child’s own good.
As such, try mixing things up from time to time by encouraging the child to display some creativity. Mandate that she adds some improvisational parts to a song she’s already learned. Adding some variety to a routine can be liberating, and it can keep the creative energy flowing when the imagination would otherwise be stifled. In time, your child will learn which chords sound good in sequence and which ones just fall flat.
Giving up the guitar has always been one of my biggest regrets. I started playing the instrument in junior high school and kept it up through college, when life got in the way. My first job out of school was so demanding that I had to budget my free time very carefully. In order to spend time with my fiancée, the guitar-playing habit had to go. Fortunately, I have the chance to reconnect with the instrument vicariously through my son.
He just turned 11 and has been clamoring for an electric guitar for several months now. With his birthday right around the corner, there was no question about what present to get him; all I had to do was find the childrens guitar suitable for a beginner. After mulling over the advantages of electric and acoustic models, I decided to get him an electric ax. Most of his favorite bands play electric, so I figured he would be more motivated if he could emulate his heroes.
Familiarize Kids with the Parts of a Guitar
It’s not abnormal for kids to arrive at their first guitar lesson with a total dearth of knowledge about the instrument. One school of thought argues that it’s best to start with a clean slate – that way the child hasn’t learned any bad habits and her tendencies can be molded according to the instructors wishes. That might be true, but it’s still essential that kids know something about the anatomy of the guitar in order to prevent future embarrassment.
Above the neck of the guitar, one will find the headstock, which in turn bears the tuners. The neck itself is home to the guitar’s frets, and the six strings run along its length to their terminal points in the headstock. The dots that are strategically positioned on the neck’s surface between the frets are known as position markers. The sound hole lends acoustic kids guitars their noise-making capability.
Guitarists and the Struggle to Read Music
Very few children pick up an instrument and display the desire to read music right away. For most, the thrill of strumming the guitar and exploring its sonic possibilities is enough to sustain them for a few hours if not a few days. At some point it does become important for parents to impose some order, but it doesn’t hurt to allow a child to learn a few songs by ear. Then move on to standard musical notation.
Be patient with the child and let him take all the time he needs to become comfortable with the kids electric guitar. Take a look at the staff and the notes on a piece of standard notation and you’ll notice that the coding is very piano-centric. While the language of standard notation matches up perfectly with a keyboard, transcribing guitar notes is much less intuitive. It’s only natural for guitar players to lag behind when reading music.
It’s only natural for kids to move quickly from one activity to another, so it’s up to parents to emphasize the importance of guitar care and maintenance. The electric guitar is particularly susceptible to damage when the user is negligent, so it pays to keep close tabs on the instrument’s storage and treatment when not in use. Hard shell cases are adept at protecting childrens electric guitars from scratches, bumps and punctures.
Guitar stands are often overlooked, but their benefits are quite obvious upon closer inspection. While most kids and even adults simply lean their guitar against a wall or piece of furniture after playing, this practice can prove destructive. The guitar could easily tip over of its own volition or be knocked down by an errant foot or a passing pet. A stand keeps the guitar upright and secure – ready to be played whenever your child is ready to practice.
Kids don’t always treat their property with the respect and care it deserves, and who could blame them? When you’re a child, you’re too full of energy and enthusiasm to notice the fragility of objects such as musical instruments. It’s therefore important for parents to instill a modicum of respect for the child’s guitar. Since these instruments are generally pretty serious investments, they should be cared for in the proper way.
A hard-shell kids guitar case represents the best way to protect the instrument from potential damage. A few drops and dents won’t make much difference to the musical integrity of the instrument, but those minor problems can really add up over time. They are particularly helpful during car trips and plane rides, when it’s no longer practical to keep a guitar out of its case.