Kid Guitars

You might have a child that really wants to start learning to play the acoustic guitar, but what is an appropriate age for them to begin learning? There are some very basic things to take into consideration before answering this question. The first question you need to ask is whether your child is big enough to hold an acoustic guitar comfortably? The smallest real guitar that you can buy is a ¼ size guitar designed for kids between the ages of 4-6 years old whose height is between 3ft 3inches – 3ft 9inches.  The next size guitar is a half size for kids between the ages of 5-8 years old with a height between approximately 3ft 10inches- 4ft 5inches. The ¾ size guitar is made for children 4ft 6inches- 4ft 11inches and finally the full size guitar is for children 5ft and up.

Once you have established the size of the kids acoustic guitar that your child needs the next questions you need to be concerned with is whether or not your child’s fingers are strong enough to hold down the strings of the guitar?  This question cannot be ignored because even if they can hold a guitar doesn’t necessarily mean that their fingers will be strong enough too able to play it. It is also important that when buying a beginner acoustic guitar for your child you buy one with nylon strings.  This is because nylon guitar strings will be much kinder to young soft fingers than steel strings. And probably the most important point of all, is whether or not you feel that your child is old enough to sit down and practice, and commit to learning to play guitar. Will their enthusiasm for the instrument last long enough? If you can answer yes to all these questions then your child is probably ready. If on the other hand you have the smallest doubt, then it might be best to wait a couple of months and review the situation.