Kid Guitars

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.